The price of electric vehicles is still proving to be a speed bump in Australia, a report has found, and government rebates may not be enough to get people to pay the premium to buy one.
Research from Pureprofile, published on Wednesday, found that a greater number of Australians plan to buy low-emission vehicles over the next five years, and those who already drive an electric car plan to buy another in the future to buy.
The research comes a month after the federal government introduced laws aimed at increasing the supply of electric vehicles in Australia, with figures showing electric cars make up almost 10 percent of new car purchases.
Pureprofile’s latest electric vehicle survey surveyed more than 2,000 Australians and more than 1,000 New Zealanders.
It found that more than half of Australian drivers plan to buy a new car in the coming year, with 30 percent planning to buy an electric model, 20 percent looking for a hybrid car and the other half sticking with petrol vehicles.
Research from Pureprofile shows that more than half of Australian drivers plan to buy a new car in the coming year, with 30 percent planning to buy an electric model (stock image)
The biggest reasons behind purchasing electric cars, according to the study, are potential fuel savings, environmental benefits and energy efficiency, as well as the ability to use solar energy to boost travel.
However, the report also found that rising costs of living and high purchase prices for electric cars were downsides, and that government rebates would not be enough to change people’s minds.
Only 15 percent of Australians said government rebates would motivate them to buy an electric car, and 37 percent of that group said they would still buy an electric car even if the rebate were taken away.
Anna Meiler, managing director of Pureprofile Asia Pacific, said the finding could encourage state governments to consider new ways to inform and motivate motorists.
“People don’t seem to take government rebates into account in their EV decisions, but this could be a result of several EV schemes ending in some Australian states,” she said.
“This leaves some potential for more creative motivational options, such as community or corporate EV share programs that encourage people to experience EV ownership without the full financial commitment.”
The research shows that pressure on the cost of living and the high purchase prices of EV models are preventing motorists from making the switch to an electric car
Victoria, NSW and South Australia have removed financial rebates on the purchase of electric vehicles, although incentives still exist in Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania.
The Pureprofile research also found that drivers who bought an electric car did not regret their decision, and 94 percent would buy an electric car for their next car.
The federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which comes into effect in January, will incentivize manufacturers to make more of their inventory electric.