Australians are confused and wary of the range and costs of electric vehicles, a new study has found, despite their rapid increase in concerns about pollution levels and the environment.
While EV purchases in Australia have rapidly increased in the past three years, the nation lags behind other markets, with fewer than 2000 sold nationally in 2018 compared to 1.2 million in China, 360,000 in the United States and 3682 in New Zealand.
The research, Caught in the Slow Lane, reveals that although there is a “strong desire” among Australians to “do their part” to reduce their carbon footprint, a willingness to change habits and buy electric vehicles remains “stalled”.
It found while most people claim to drive less than 80 kilometres a day, the fear of running out of charge if they went on long road trips was a major deterrent to purchasing an electric vehicle.
The study, undertaken by Nielsen and released on Monday, has identified three major barriers in consumer attitudes towards electric cars were preventing large-scale uptake in Australia: public awareness, perceived value and vehicle range.
About 47 per cent of the 1000 people surveyed believed electric vehicles could only travel between 100 kilometres and 300 kilometres before recharging, fuelling apprehension they could be left stranded, with 77 per cent of Australians saying a lack of public infrastructure in new charging points was another deterrent.
Four-in-five (79 per cent) Australians said price was the key factor stopping them from buying an EV, with 50 per cent of survey respondents claiming they had no intention of buying an electric car.
About 50 per cent of those who said they would buy an EV said they would only pay between $20,000 and $30,000 for a new car, with most at the lower end of the price range, such as a Hyundai IONIQ, currently retailing from $45,000.
Only 16 per cent of people believe that they were adequately informed about electric vehicles, while 12 per cent said they did not know electric cars were available in Australia.
Nielsen’s automotive lead Michael Brown said electric vehicles sales were “embarrassingly slow” from new car buyers, despite the number of Australians who say they have a growing concern for the environment has increased 31 per cent in the past year.
“Australians rate the environment as a more important social issue than mental health, education, the ageing population, interest rates and obesity,” Mr Brown said.
“While there is a strong desire among Australians to do their part to improve the environment, their willingness to change habits and buy electric vehicles is stalled.”
He said while electric vehicle sales would increase, further education and awareness around the features, performance, safety and technology needed to be addressed.
The federal government is developing the National Electric Vehicle Strategy to be finalised by mid- next year to address barriers to EV uptake.
The Electric Vehicle Council revealed in August there were 90 per cent more electric vehicles sold in the first half of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, despite national petrol vehicle sales falling 8.4 per cent in the same timeframe.
Business fleets continued to be the largest buyer of electric vehicles in 2018, accounting for 63 per cent of total sales, with private purchases made up 33 per cent, with government fleets buying only 4 per cent.
Extracted from The Sydney Morning Herald