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Poll finds Aussies want Govt support for EVs

Riley Riley

Australians like the idea of electric cars.

They’d like them even more, if the Government would subsidise them — so they could afford to buy them.

They’re the findings of a poll conducted by the Australian website carsales.com.au to which more than 3000 people responded.

The poll was put together by the Electric Vehicle Council and makes one wonder why the Government is not doing more to encourage their uptake?

The main attraction of electric vehicles is their low running and maintenance costs, along with safety features, driving performance and environmental footprint.

On the downside, however, EVs are expensive to buy compared to their petrol and diesel-powered counterparts and there is a lack of infrastructure to support their operation. 

Carsales’ Deb Heaphy added the poll is great news for new EV-centric brands coming to Australia.

“Consumers are not only open to influence but are ready to buy an EV,” she said.

“Our recent survey shows that 54 per cent of respondents would consider purchasing an electric vehicle as their next car and 51 per cent of those who currently own a petrol/diesel vehicle would consider buying an EV as their next car purchase.”

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Electric Vehicle Council boss Behyad Jafari said Aussies are now well and truly ready to go electric.

“This survey shows we understand the personal benefits and we’re also ready to start contributing to the societal advantages of the electric transition – like lower carbon emissions, increased fuel security, and cleaner air,” he said.

“What this survey also demonstrates is Australians are well out ahead of their government when it comes to electric vehicle attitudes.”

Mr Jafari said half the population now see themselves behind the wheel of an electric car by 2030.

But they’re frustrated by Australian policies that mean the many of the best affordable EV models don’t make it to our shores. 

“The politics on EVs has shifted massively in a short period of time, and politicians should ensure they don’t get stuck in the past,” he said.

“Australians now recognise the abundant advantages of driving an electric car.

“Their remaining hesitancy is about the support they are getting to make the switch. 

“If the Australian Government starts introducing policies to encourage EV take up, similar to those in the UK, those policies will be met with overwhelming support from drivers and the broader electorate.”

Key points of the survey: 

  •  54 per cent of respondents would consider purchasing an electric vehicle as their next car
  • 49 per cent see themselves driving an electric vehicle in 2030
  • 40 per cent would be encouraged to purchase an electric vehicle if government subsidies were available to assist with the initial purchase
  • 50 per cent would pay more for an equivalent electric vehicle compared to petrol or diesel
  • 92 per cent agreed public charging infrastructure was important in encouraging them to buy an electric vehicle 
  • 55 per cent indicated they would power their electric vehicle via solar panels

global electric vehicle sales are expected to increase fivefold by 2021 107724 1 1

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