Australian electric vehicle consideration has stabilised at 36% following a prolonged decline, but buyers are becoming increasingly selective about which brands they would seriously consider purchasing, according to the latest carsales EV Survey Report.
The November 2025 research shows momentum has levelled out after the first uptick in EV interest earlier last year, with nearly half of drivers expecting to be driving an electric or hybrid vehicle by 2035.
Carsales data services director Ross Booth said the market is experiencing a maturation phase rather than dramatic shifts in either direction.
“What we’re seeing now isn’t a surge or a slump – it’s a pause. EV interest has levelled out, but buyer behaviour is evolving. Australians are becoming more discerning, considering fewer brands and weighing long-term value much more carefully,” Booth said.
Tesla’s dominance softening as BYD gains ground
Tesla’s market position is showing signs of softening, with unprompted brand awareness slipping to 70%, while BYD continues to gain momentum at 58%, significantly closing the gap between the two brands.
The average number of EV brands considered by buyers has fallen to 2.8, down from 4.5 in November 2024, indicating increased selectivity in the market.
“Tesla is still highly visible, but visibility alone isn’t enough anymore. BYD’s continued rise shows how quickly trust and consideration can shift when buyers feel a brand better meets their needs — particularly on value, product range and reassurance around ownership,” Booth said.
Used EV market gains traction
Nearly one in five EV owners purchased their vehicle used, highlighting growing confidence in the second-hand EV market. The shift is reflected in buyer intentions, with fewer EV intenders now only considering new vehicles at 34%, down from 40%, while 54% are now open to both new and used EVs.
Over one-third of buyers say a verified battery health certificate would make them more willing to buy a used EV, while the same proportion indicate a 24-hour test drive would boost EV consideration overall.
Country of origin becomes key factor
The research reveals country of origin is a much bigger factor for EV buyers, with 53% considering it important compared to just 13% for car buyers overall. Japanese and German EV manufacturers are most strongly considered by EV intenders, while Chinese-made EVs face the second-lowest consideration despite their growing market presence.
“Interestingly, country of origin matters far more for EV buyers than for car buyers overall, which reflects the heightened scrutiny in this category,” Booth said.
Persistent barriers remain
Resale value leads buyer concerns at 50%, followed by lack of charging infrastructure at 49% and charging time at 48%. Battery-related uncertainties dominate, with 62% citing battery longevity concerns and 60% worried about replacement costs.
The findings show Victorian buyers were most likely to consider an EV at 42%, while Generation Z showed significantly lower consideration at 25% compared to the 36% average. However, Gen Z buyers demonstrated stronger emotional connections to internal combustion engines, with 62% citing this as a barrier.
Looking ahead, EV and hybrid intention combined now overtakes petrol for 2035, with 48% of buyers expecting to be driving an electric or hybrid vehicle by that time, compared to 29% expecting to drive petrol vehicles.
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