The Electric Vehicle Council has released its 2023 Australian Electric Vehicle Industry Recap, showing record growth in both electric vehicle (EV) sales and charging infrastructure across Australia.
Related article: Aussie suburbs overtake inner-city areas on EV uptake
The Recap highlights:
- EV sales (including both battery EVs and plug-in hybrids) grew by 120%
- The total Australian EV fleet surpassed 180,000 electric vehicles
- Charging infrastructure locations increased by 75% on the previous year, with 348 locations added across Australia.
The Recap also contains details on the top 20 EV models sold, an update on how Australia is tracking against the EVC’s recommended target of 1 million EVs by end of 2027, and the launch of a national EV ownership survey in collaboration with the University of Sydney.
“After a long period of anticipation last decade, it’s now genuinely exciting to see the electric vehicle revolution now rolling out all over Australia,” EVC CEO Behyad Jafari said.
“EV drivers are everywhere and if you talk to them they’re typically effusive about their decision. Not having to worry about petrol prices or regular maintenance, and enjoying a more fun driving experience tend to top the reasons given for satisfaction. And our cities and towns are benefiting with less and less air and noise pollution.
“To sustain this positive trajectory we need sensible reform. The federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards are a crucial step that finally brings Australia into line with the rest of the developed world.
“EVs are no longer a novelty, they are a core part of everyday Australian lives.”
Recent data from the EVC has also highlighted geographical factors in EV uptake.
Outer suburban drivers are zooming past inner city-dwellers on electric vehicle (EV) uptake, with inner metropolitan EV orders (38.95%) being outstripped by those placed in outer metropolitan suburbs (43.29%).
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The divide is even greater when combining EV uptake in outer metro, regional and rural areas (61.05%).
