The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has released its 2021 State of Electric Vehicles report, demonstrating that e-mobility is here to stay in Australia, and around the world.

In the first half of 2021, 8,688 EVs were sold in Australia, representing 1.57 per cent of the total light-vehicle market. This figure is higher than any other calendar year, including the 6,900 sold for the entirety of 2020.

Despite this growth, Australia continues to lag behind the rest of the world when it comes to EV adoption. In Norway, three-quarters of light vehicles sold were electric. Australia is also well behind the United Kingdom (10.7 per cent), China (6.2 per cent) and the United States (2.3 per cent). Globally, EVs represented 4.2 per cent of light vehicle sales.

Most carmakers around the world have now made public commitments to electrification, including pledging billions of dollars in investment to EVs over the next few years.

Currently, Australians have access to 31 passenger EV models from 12 different manufacturers. Since last year, six more models under $65,000 have been launched. Many carmakers are now confirming the upcoming supply of new models into the market.

“We need to see more electric vehicle models in Australia, particularly at lower price points. To get more models we need the right policy settings so we can compete with other countries to attract the globally limited electric vehicle supply to Australia,” said Behyad Jafari, CEO of the EVC.

The report also includes a policy scorecard for each of the State and Federal Governments.

While the Federal Government received the lowest rating with 3/10, New South Wales earned the highest rating (9/10) for the introduction of its Electric Vehicle Strategy which includes the removal of stamp duty as well as rebates for electric vehicles. This result was followed closely by the Australian Capital Territory (8/10), which offers tax rebates, free registration, and a $15,000 interest-free loan. Queensland received a 6/10.

“These positive measures and those taken by other state and territory governments provide confidence to private sector investors, allowing for the introduction of greater choice for Australian consumers, more places to charge and better services that support e-mobility.”

“Australia is in urgent need of action on electric vehicles, which is vital to meeting our net-zero goals, increasing our energy security, and improving our air quality.”

Given the pace of change in the industry, the EVC will now release six-monthly State of Electric Vehicle reports, as well as smaller topic-based reports throughout the year.

Read the full State of Electric Vehicles 2021 report HERE.

Source: Electric Vehicle Council | State of Electric Vehicles 2021 report

1 September 2021