EV demand in Australia is now drastically outstripping supply due to the country still being perceived by global carmakers as an unattractive market, notes the latest State of Electric Vehicles report.
While consumer demand for EVs is surging, many Australians who want to purchase an electric car are being told they may have to wait months, or even years.
Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari says the federal government’s refusal to move on fuel efficiency standards was a key driver of the supply restriction.
“Because the Morrison Government refuses to introduce the same fuel efficiency standards they have in the US and the UK, Australians are being denied access to the electric cars they now desperately want — especially at the more affordable end of the market,” says Jafari.
“Carmakers look at Australia and see strong demand, which is encouraging. But they also realise that every time they sell an EV in America or Europe that will count toward meeting the fuel efficiency standards of those jurisdictions. So naturally they prefer to sell EVs there, instead of here,” Jafari explains.
“Through a toxic combination of inertia, myopia, and dogma the Morrison Government has created a situation where thousands of Australians can’t get access to the car they want to buy.”
All over the world, governments are recognising that most consumers want an electric option when they consider their next vehicle and they’re doing what they can to make that option viable. “Australia remains a real outlier.
“It has been encouraging lately to see several state and territory governments introduce positive demand policies to incentivise the purchase of electric vehicles for consumers. But until the federal government comes to party consumer choice will continue to be throttled,” says Jafari.
“If Australia continues to be one of the only developed nations without fuel efficiency standards then we will continue to be a dumping ground for the world’s dirtiest vehicles.”
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