- Almost half (49%) of respondents to Savvy’s EV sentiment survey stated that they would make EVs more affordable when asked what changes they believed would make EV ownership more popular and accessible
- This number is significantly down on results from the same question in 2021 (79%) and 2023 (76%)
- Driving range was the second-most common change (29%), though this is also notably lower than previous years (40% in 2021 and 41% in 2023)
- Improving charging infrastructure (25%), cheaper electricity (20%) and greater government subsidies (20%) were other popular adjustments
- Only 4% of respondents said they wouldn’t make any changes and that current conditions were sufficiently effective
Just under half of all Aussies still believe that the pricing of EVs on the market stands in the way of wider popularity, according to a survey conducted by Savvy.
49% of the 1,121 survey respondents stated that affordability was among the two biggest changes they’d make to ensure EVs became more popular and accessible.
Driving range remained a hot topic for 29% of Aussies, while a touch over a quarter of respondents felt that public charging infrastructure should be improved.
The other changes cited included cheaper electricity (20%), government subsidies (20%) and a continuation of current high fuel prices (12%) to disincentivise buying petrol or diesel cars.
Respondents selected up to two responses in answering the question.
EV pricing not as pressing as in previous years
Although 49% is still a fair number, this figure is notably down on the numbers recorded in previous Savvy EV sentiment surveys, where affordability was the #1 concern at 79% in 2021 and 76% in 2023.
The downward shift comes against the backdrop of an influx of budget EVs priced under $40,000 that have entered the market in the last 12 to 24 months, a price range that most Aussies stated that they’d be willing to shop in.
At the time of the first survey’s rollout, the cheapest EV available in Australia was the MG ZS EV, which was priced from $44,990 driveaway.
Today, though, that mantle belongs to BYD’s Atto 1, which comes in at a base price of just $23,990. The 2021 ZS EV wouldn’t even make the top ten list of cheapest electric cars in 2026.
According to Savvy Managing Director Bill Tsouvalas, the disparity in results over the years show just how far EVs have come in the eyes of the Australian public.
“Aussies haven’t necessarily been quick on the uptake when it comes to EVs, but we’re starting to see some real movement in terms of electrified market share,” he said.
“Buying an EV is more accessible right now than it ever has been, with ultra-competitive pricing between carmakers opening more doors for families to get on board, as well as attractive finance options like discounted loan rates and tax incentives through novated leasing.”
Infrastructure a key issue in VIC, WA, less important in SA, QLD
Charging infrastructure has moved from the second-most pressing concern in previous years to the third-most, peaking at 51% in 2021 before halving in the five years since.
However, it remains a crucial barrier to entry for many Aussies across the country, attracting 33% of responses from Victoria, 30% from Western Australia and 29% from New South Wales.
These numbers fall away among respondents in South Australia and Queensland, though, where charging infrastructure was only singled out by 17% and 22% of residents, respectively.
In SA and WA, it was the fourth-highest priority among those surveyed, with those down south preferencing cheaper electricity (19%) and people out west asking for government subsidies instead (32%).
The call for increased subsidies from Western Australia wasn’t mirrored elsewhere, with Victoria (22%) the only other state where it attracted more than 20% of the vote.
