The era of electric vehicles (EVs) is no longer just a trend; it’s a thriving reality in Australia. Recent findings reveal a staggering 120% surge in EV sales over the past year alone, marking a significant milestone in the automotive industry Down Under.
Currently, there are over 180,000 EVs cruising the roads of Australia, with nearly 100,000 of them hitting the streets just last year, as per the Australian Electric Vehicle Industry Recap 2023 report. Additionally, the report highlights a notable 75% increase in charging infrastructure nationwide, boasting a total of 812 charging stations now available across the country.
The Australian Capital Territory is leading the charge in embracing EVs, where these eco-friendly vehicles constitute over 20% of all new vehicle purchases, thanks in part to supportive government policies. Meanwhile, New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria have also shown promising growth in EV adoption, with the Northern Territory witnessing an impressive threefold increase in EV sales in 2023.
Breaking down the numbers, outer metropolitan areas accounted for 43% of EV sales, closely followed by inner metropolitan areas at 39%. Among the array of EV models available, Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 have emerged as clear favourites, followed by BWD Atto 3 and MG MG4.
Despite this remarkable progress, EVs currently represent only about 1% of all light vehicles in Australia. The report underscores the need for continued efforts to achieve Australia’s 2050 zero emissions targets. The Electric Vehicle Council proposes a target of one million EVs on Australian roads by 2027. Still, it acknowledges challenges such as limited supply due to the absence of a new vehicle efficiency standard.
Encouragingly, the federal government’s plans for a new fuel efficiency standard, announced in February, aim to address this issue by incentivising carmakers to provide low- and zero-emissions vehicles while penalising those who do not comply. Behyad Jafari, CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council, lauds these developments, emphasising the importance of sensible reforms to sustain the momentum of the electric vehicle revolution across Australia.
Looking beyond Australia, the report sheds light on the thriving EV market in the United States, where approximately 1.4 million EVs were sold in 2023, surpassing the total number of new vehicle sales in Australia for the same period. This underscores the global trend towards electric mobility, despite scepticism from some quarters with vested interests in impeding the transition.
In conclusion, the electrification of transportation is no longer a distant future; it’s happening now, reshaping the automotive landscape and paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.
For the latest retailer news and information, check out the ServoPro website or to speak to us about how we can help your business contact us.