A representative survey of 1,000 Australians commissioned by Savvy has revealed that 34% of Australians are unable to install Electric Vehicle (EV) charging at their residence, even if they would like to and at their own expense.
Twenty-nine per cent of respondents are renting and cannot make substantial alterations to their residence, while 5% of Australians said they live in an apartment or multi-residence complex and are unable to make modifications to allow for EV charging.
Thirty-eight per cent of the 18–24-year-old cohort said they could not install EV charging at their premises, with 39% of the 25–34-year-old demographic saying the same.
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Fifty per cent of respondents said they own their property and have the option to install EV charging if they so wished. Due to higher rates of home ownership among older demographics, this option was more available to people aged 35 and over.
Fifty-six per cent of men and 44% of women said they had the option to install EV charging at their premises.
Fifty-four per cent of Australians either own or can install solar panels and home battery storage on their premises—while 37% of Australians can’t install solar, even if they elected to and at their own expense.
Thirty-one per cent of Australians rent and cannot install solar unless their owners decide to invest in it on their behalf. 6% own an apartment, making solar power unfeasible.
The highest proportion locked out of solar power installation were the 18-24s and 25-34s, with 41% of each cohort reporting they could not install solar panels or battery storage units.
Two-thirds (66%) of 65+ Australians reported they either have solar power systems installed or have the option to do so.
Savvy spokesperson Adrian Edlington says that EV charging stations and solar power may be as desirable as outdoor entertaining areas or pool decks when looking for places to live.
“People will want to save money long-term, and having an electric vehicle running on solar power can virtually eliminate two unavoidable living costs, that of fuel and high domestic power prices,” he says.
“Many new higher-density living developments are coming ready equipped with the necessary energy infrastructure and structural reinforcements to accommodate universal EV ownership, meaning the building is strong enough to take the increased weight of a fleet of EVs. On top of that is the improved power infrastructure to allow for residents to install a home EV charger that they pay for. Demand for this is set to grow significantly in coming years and should become a sought-after feature.
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“Those looking to move into or buy property will be asking whether the home already has an EV charging station and or solar panels installed, which could have a significant impact on buyer demand and sale prices.
“A new kind of inequity has developed though, whereby many Australians are denied the same access to clean technologies, simply because they are renters or reside in dwellings unsuitable for an upgrade.”
View the full survey results here.
