Federal energy and climate minister Chris Bowen estimates that Australians bought an electric vehicle once every 50 minutes when the federal Labor government came to power in 2022. By his reckoning, they are now buying EVs – and he appears to be including plug-in hybrids – every 77 seconds.
If that’s correct, then all it would take for Australia to be buying more battery electric vehicles than cars with a fossil fuel engine, is to cut that buying rhythm down to around 30 seconds – plug in hybrids excluded.
Australia experienced its best ever sales for EVs in the month of June, on the back of some stunning numbers from market leaders BYD and Tesla, who absolutely smashed their previous monthly records. The Tesla Model Y took the country’s number one spot for the second month in a row and the BYD SeaLion 7 came in at number 4. BYD very nearly unseated long time market heavyweight Toyota as the best selling overall brand.
Australians are taking up EVs of course in record numbers,” Bowen noted on Saturday.
“A total of 36 per cent of purchases in June were either fully electric or plug-in hybrid. 24 per cent fully electric vehicles, 12 per cent plug-in hybrid, a total of 36 per cent, which compares to just under 2 per cent when we came to office.
“When we came to office in 2022, an Australian bought an EV once every 50 minutes. In June, an Australian bought an EV once every (77) seconds. Now, this is Australians making their choices to protect themselves against rising international uncertainty when it comes to petrol and fuel.
“But Australians know that what’s good for the planet is also good for their pocket. It’s also Australians taking up a massive increase in choices for EVs and plug-in hybrid brought about by our new vehicle efficiency standards, which were introduced against the face of fierce opposition from the Liberals and the Nationals and One Nation.
“But we had the view that Australians deserve better choices, and Australians are taking up those choices now in huge numbers. So, very good to see Australians maximising their choices, their freedom of choice to buy an EV or a plug-in hybrid vehicle with those increases in models that are available now, as a result of the Albanese Government’s policy.”
The benefits of the Electric Car Discount – the FBT exemption for EVs – has been highlighted by the country’s main leasing body, which says it has been critical to help working households, including those in outer suburbs.
“Australians have set another monthly record in EV sales and the Electric Car Discount is central to making that possible,” CEO of National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA) Rohan Martin said in a statement.
“With stretched household budgets and petrol prices volatile, cheaper-to-run EVs make more sense than ever. But for many working Australians, particularly those in outer metropolitan suburbs who travel longer distances, making the switch wouldn’t be possible without the Albanese Government’s Electric Car Discount.
“The policy is helping working families overcome the barrier of upfront cost, with EVs still typically more expensive than petrol and diesel equivalents.”
Martin says new brands including Zeekr, Jaecoo and Geely are among the top 10 BEVs that working households are purchasing through novated leases as they look for affordable options.
He says the discount should not be removed, but there is intense pressure from many in the industry, particularly the legacy car companies, to dilute not just the new vehicle emissions standards, but also repeal the EV discount.
