This report follows and builds on the structure of the previous report, covering four main sections and providing updated data for 2017 against a range of indicators and market barriers to electric vehicle uptake.
Report extract
While Australia still trails behind global leaders in electric vehicle uptake, we have seen a number of small but important shifts across a range of electric vehicle indicators in 2017.
Over the past year we have seen a significant increase in media interest in electric vehicles. This occurred alongside notable growth in electric vehicle sales.
There were 2,284 electric vehicles sold in Australia in 2017, representing a 67 per cent increase from the previous year. The number of electric vehicle models available for sale in Australia has also increased by 44 per cent from 2016 to 2017. While the majority of these new models have been in the more expensive vehicle segments, there are nine new plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicle models expected to be introduced into the Australian market over the next 18 months. Five of these are expected to be priced at $60,000 or less.
The number of charging stations in Australia has also substantially increased, with a 64 per cent increase from 2017 to 2018. This currently equates to approximately one charging station for every six electric vehicles.
An important consideration for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure is the source of electricity used to power the vehicle. Analysis across all states and territories in Australia shows that an average electric vehicle charged from the grid in 2016 emitted less than an average internal combustion engine vehicle in all states except Victoria, where it is only slightly higher.