A new survey conducted by the Royal Automobile Association of South Australia (RAA) has found that more than 40% of the State’s motorists are considering buying an electric vehicle when purchasing their next car.
The RAA conducted their survey in May also found that 63% of people thinking of getting an electric car were inspired by a desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Among the reasons driving South Australia’s interest in EVs are electric vehicle performance and running costs.
Unsurprisingly, however, two main roadblocks remain before a full-scale shift towards EVs can get underway – purchase price of new EVs and accessibility to charging outlets.
According to The Advertiser in Adelaide, which received a copy of the RAA’s survey, half of respondents said they would be discouraged from buying an EV if there was difficulty in accessing charging stations, while 59% of respondents believed the government should build more EV charging stations.
South Australia is one of the world’s most advanced regions for clean technologies such as renewable energy generation, and already sources more than 55 per cent of its power needs from wind and solar, and aims to reach “net 100 per cent” by 2030.
The State Government is also in the process of developing an electric vehicle strategy, while at the same time the Adelaide City Council has begun rolling out charging stations on city streets and in parking lots.
“Electric vehicles have a host of benefits, from their greener environmental footprint to transport efficiencies, and could also have a positive effect on our electricity grid,” said South Australia’s Minister for Transport, Stephan Knoll, who said the State Government would examine construction of new infrastructure as well as private sector investment in support of its new EV strategy.
The level of interest in EVs across South Australia is of no surprise to RAA Mobility Technology Specialist Mark Borlace:
“Electric vehicles produce around 50 per cent less pollution than petrol vehicles in South Australia,’’ he said. “This technology is especially effective in South Australia, as we produce the greenest electricity on mainland Australia through the extensive generation of solar and wind power.
“It will play a key role in driving down pollution levels and enable the State Government to achieve its target to slash greenhouse gas emissions.’’
Borlace also spoke to the concern over accessibility to charging equipment as one of the key factors discouraging South Australians from transitioning to EVs: “This is why RAA is urging the SA government to invest in fast-charging stations in Adelaide and across the state to encourage the transition to electric vehicles,’’ he said.
“RAA and other mobility clubs are already investing in a partnership with Chargefox to roll out such stations across the nation, including one at Keith in the state’s South Each which was switched on in March this year.’’
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.