Nearly half of Australian buyers will consider an EV as their next car, study finds

Research has shown that almost half of Australian buyers are open to purchasing electric vehicle when the time comes to buy a new car.

Over 1000 Aussies were surveyed in a study commissioned by BMW Group Australia, with all participants aged between 18-to 75-years-old and holding a current driver’s licence. 

Interestingly, while 48 percent of participants would consider an EV for their next car, their appetite for the technology grew measurably over a longer period of time. 

When buyers were asked if they would still own a conventionally powered vehicle in 2040, only eight percent were confident they would.

The Australian EV Council previously released similar figures in 2021, which stated 54 percent of its respondents would be open to purchasing an EV as their next car, after recording 56 and 53 percent respectively in 2020 and 2019.

Sales of fully electric vehicles made up just a fraction of overall sales last year – accounting for just 3.1 percent in Australia last year according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

However, this percentage has been doubling (or more) year-on-year and many car manufacturers and industry pundits have suggested that figure would be far higher if the supply of semi-conductor rich EVs was increased to meet demand.

The survey also found that range anxiety remains a key concern. Perhaps not consequently, many also emphasised the need for a large national charging network.

While only 31 percent of participants were aware of their nearest charging station it was unclear if those surveyed owned or used an EV and therefore would need to seek this kind of service out.

Rising sales amid an influx of EV options

BMW Group Australia said it was releasing the results of the survey on World Environment Day (June 5th) as the German brand itself shifts towards electric vehicles – noting that its BMW and Mini brands saw battery EV sales spike up 112 and 213 percent in the first quarter of the year.

This is likely due to the rapid introduction of new electric models under the brands, including the iX1 small SUV, iX3 midsize SUV, iX large SUV, i4 sedan and soon the i5 large sedan under BMW.

The study also cited affordability as a key reason for considering an EV and while most EVs are still priced at a significant premium above their petrol and diesel counterparts, an influx of Chinese-built options such as the BYD Atto 3 small SUV, Tesla Model Y midsize SUV and MG 4 hatch have assisted in making the technology available to more Australian buyers.

Even the commercial vehicle segment, which has long been seen as a huge hurdle for vehicle electrification in Australia, has seen electric options emerge with the likes of the LDV eT60 ute and Ford E-Transit van, along with small and full-sized trucks from Hyundai and Volvo.