SEQ’s outer suburbs make it into top 10 for EV uptake
Electric Vehicles (EVs) are fast losing their inner-city stigma, with families in South East Queensland’s outer suburbs embracing more sustainable ways to move around.
The Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) EV Index revealed five postcodes located more than 10km from Brisbane and Gold Coast CBDs have made it into Queensland’s top 10 for EV uptake.
RACQ’s Head of Public Policy Dr Michael Kane said there are a number of factors driving this uptake.
“Over the past 12 months there’s been an influx of new electric vehicle models on the Australian market, driving down prices through competition,” Dr Kane said.
“More recently we’ve seen State Government rebates increased for new EV purchases and in January 2023 the Federal Government brought in Fringe Benefit Tax exemptions on novated leasing for EVs.
“These things will continue to make EVs more affordable for motorists who want to drive cleaner and safer cars.”
The outer western postcode of 4069 (Brookfield, Chapel Hill, Fig Tree Pocket and Kenmore) saw a 312% increase in registrations of EVs in Brisbane, surging from 85 in January 2021 to 350 in January 2023.
Sunnybank, Macgregor and Robertson (postcode 4109) and Rochdale and Rochdale South (postcode 4123) were two areas on the south side that also saw impressive surges in EV ownership with 163 and 148 registrations respectively over the same two-year period.
On the Gold Coast, the northern postcodes of 4212 (Helensvale, Hope Island and Sanctuary Cove) and 4209 (Coomera, Pimpama and Willow Vale) made it into Queensland’s top 10 EV uptake hotspots.
Dr Kane said he expects this upward trend in EV ownership to continue as RACQ and others invest in charging infrastructure.
“There’s no doubt range anxiety is still a big deterrent for many Queenslanders considering an EV and we must address this to ensure a smooth transition to cleaner transport,” he said.
“As well as building a new charging station at Carseldine in Brisbane, RACQ is co-funding seven new fast charging sites in Cairns, Mackay, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba and Mitchell with the Queensland Government.
“The Queensland Government co-funding program is set to see 46 charging sites across more than 30 mostly regional locations up and running by the end of 2024.”
RACQ already sponsors around 50 government-owned charging stations across Queensland and will continue to work closely with the State Government to ensure all motorists have access to safe, secure and sustainable transport.
Top 10 QLD Postcodes for EV uptake*:
| Rank | Postcode | Suburbs | EV Registrations as at 31 January 2021 | EV Registrations as at 31 January 2023 | Change in registrations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4217 | Benowa, Bundall, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise | 81 | 369 | 288 |
| 2 | 4069 | Brookfield, Chapel Hill, Fig Tree Pocket, Kenmore | 85 | 350 | 265 |
| 3 | 4000 | Brisbane City | 62 | 293 | 231 |
| 4 | 4006 | Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, Herston, Newstead | 69 | 294 | 225 |
| 5 | 4152 | Carindale, Camp Hill, Carina | 49 | 269 | 220 |
| 5 | 4212 | Helensvale, Hope Island, Sanctuary Cove | 71 | 291 | 220 |
| 7 | 4209 | Coomera, Pimpama, Willow Vale | 25 | 239 | 214 |
| 8 | 4170 | Cannon Hill. Morningside, Norman Park, Seven Hills | 20 | 189 | 169 |
| 9 | 4109 | Sunnybank, Macgregor, Roberston | 28 | 191 | 163 |
| 10 | 4123 | Rochdale, Rochdale South | 27 | 175 | 148 |
*Source: AAA EV Index https://data.aaa.asn.au/ev-index/