EV interest rebounds in Australia but brand dynamics are shifting

Electric vehicle (EV) interest in Australia has increased for the first time in more than three years, according to the latest carsales EV Consumer Survey. The proportion of car buyers considering an EV rose from 30% in November 2024 to 37% in May 2025, reflecting a modest but notable shift in consumer sentiment.

While EV awareness remains widespread, the report highlights significant changes in how brands are being perceived. Tesla, long considered a market leader, now ranks 12th in converting brand awareness into buyer consideration. In contrast, Chinese automaker BYD has recorded strong growth in both awareness and conversion efficiency, leading the field in both categories.

“After three years of decline, we’re starting to see a rebound in EV interest in Australia,” said carsales Data Services Director Ross Booth. “However, the brand battleground is shifting. Consumers are becoming more selective and increasingly focused on value, reliability, and lifestyle fit.”

Key findings

• EV consideration rose to 37%, the first increase since 2021.
• Tesla’s brand conversion fell to 31%, down from 44% in November 2024, despite 91% awareness.
• BYD now leads all brands in awareness growth and conversion efficiency, converting 63% of aware respondents into considerers.
• Hybrid vehicles remain a strong preference, with 32% considering traditional hybrids and 21% looking at plug-in hybrids. Fuel flexibility and practicality were top motivators.
• Gen Z continues to show emotional attachment to internal combustion vehicles but EV consideration in this group rose from 21% to 31%. Used EVs are more appealing to younger buyers, with 30% saying they would only consider a second-hand model.
• Regional variation is evident: 46% of NSW buyers said they would only consider new EVs, compared to just 23% in WA.
• Charging misconceptions persist, with 63% of respondents believing there are fewer than three public chargers within a 10km radius—despite infrastructure improvements.
• Battery concerns remain a barrier, with replacement cost (64%), resale value (53%), and charger installation (53%) cited as top uncertainties.

Market behaviours and outlook

SUVs remain the most popular EV body style, preferred by 47% of respondents—a figure unchanged over two years. Meanwhile, cost is becoming less of a standalone barrier. Practical and emotional concerns, such as access to charging and attachment to petrol vehicles, now rank equally.

Only 19% of respondents expect to be driving an EV by 2030, suggesting broader market hesitancy persists. Among existing EV owners, 83% say they would likely purchase another—down from 95% in 2023.

Home charging remains dominant, with 49% of current EV owners using a dedicated charger. Public charger usage remains limited, with only 14% using them regularly.

Used EV purchasing is on the rise, with overall consideration growing to 16%. This is largely driven by Gen Z buyers, 40% of whom say they would prefer to buy a used EV from a private seller.

The latest survey, conducted between May 15 and May 29, 2025, gathered responses from 2,848 participants. The results were weighted by age to reflect the national population.