Number of registered vehicles Australia 1990-2020

As of January 2020, approximately 19.81 million motor vehicles were registered in Australia, the majority of which were passenger vehicles. The source also revealed that New South Wales was the leading state in terms of vehicle registrations that year, accounting for almost 40 percent of Australia’s total registered vehicles.

The future of electric vehicle (EV) in Australia?

As personal cars remain Australia’s prominent means of transportation, electric vehicles, a cleaner alternative, propose a potential solution to help the country cut down emissions from cars, which are projected to exceed 40 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030. Whereas EV sales in Australia have seen growth for the past decade, the EV market share was minimal, accounting for less than one percent of Australian automotive market in 2020.

From the perspective of Australian consumers

Nonetheless, Australia’s low electric vehicle uptake does not seem to mirror public interest. Many Australian consumers have switched to electric vehicles for their lower environmental footprint compared to conventional fuel vehicles. While EV initial purchase costs may have refrained consumers from buying, their lower running and maintenance costs, which prove to be more beneficial in the long run, also appeal to many Australians. On the other hand, government incentives, such as subsidies and policies regarding charging infrastructure will also likely encourage EV consumption and thus help smooth the transition to electric vehicles.