Australian electric vehicle owners are showing stronger confidence in battery longevity but a notable reluctance toward buying Tesla models, according to the latest Global EV Driver Survey.
The annual survey, run by the Global EV Alliance (GEVA), gathered responses from more than 27,000 EV drivers across 30 countries, including 108 from Australia. GEVA represents 70 EV driver associations worldwide, offering insight into both international and country-specific trends.
Global and local trends
Participants identified several barriers and motivations influencing EV uptake:
- 83 per cent globally say policy measures are needed to increase EV sales, rising to 95 per cent in Australia.
- 77 per cent globally cite persistent myths as the biggest obstacle to adoption (87 per cent in Australia).
- 58 per cent globally see purchase price as a barrier (59 per cent in Australia).
- 45 per cent globally and 41 per cent in Australia say lower energy costs were a reason they chose an EV.
- 86 per cent of EV drivers globally are very satisfied with ownership, rising to 94 per cent in Australia.
The survey suggests Australians are becoming less concerned about common EV myths such as battery lifespan, even as frustration with fast-charging reliability grows.
GEVA vice chair Petter Haugneland said the findings highlight the need for stronger support measures worldwide.
“This is a clear message to politicians in every country aiming to electrify road transport and increase EV sales: Policy action is needed to accelerate adoption. Politicians cannot simply lean back and assume the market and the consumers will solve this on its own.”
Tesla tops Australia’s ‘avoid’ list
Brand-avoidance responses varied widely across countries. Denmark recorded 71 per cent of drivers avoiding at least one brand, compared with 16 per cent in Brazil.
In Australia, respondents were “next less likely to buy a US-made car (13 per cent) than a Chinese-made one (8 per cent).”
However, the survey also found that 45 per cent of Australian EV drivers said they would avoid Tesla cars.
Countries were included only if they registered at least 100 responses. Australia reached the threshold this year with 108.
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