RACQ: More needs to be done to increase uptake of Electric Vehicles

New figures released by the Electric Vehicle Council found Australian electric car sales were stagnant at a time when uptake around the world was increasing.

The report found there were 6,900 electric cars sold in Australia in 2020, a 2.7 percent increase from the 6,718 sold in 2019. By comparison, EV sales in the UK increased their market share from 3.8 percent in 2019 to 10.2 percent in 2020.

RACQ Head of Public Policy Rebecca Michael said the Federal Government needed to provide better incentives and not take a passive approach to the EV revolution.

“In 2019 EV sales doubled, while in 2020 sales stagnated for a number of reasons, including COVID-19 and talks of an EV tax. This could be enough to scare drivers away from investing in an EV,” Dr Michael said.

“Strong policy leadership is lacking at the moment and we need the Federal Government step up to the role and introduce equitable and comprehensive road user charging reform while incentivising EV take up.

“For many Queenslanders, owning a new EV is still cost prohibitive and until we see an affordable second-hand EV market, Australia’s fleet transition to EVs will remain well behind countries that are incentivising uptake through a range of policy and tax settings.

“Investment in charging infrastructure is helping to ease range anxiety among motorists, but the price disparity between EVs and their fuel powered counterparts continues to act as a barrier to EV uptake.”