2023 was another landmark year for electric transport in Australia with rapid growth in both EV sales and charging infrastructure, according to the Australian Electric Vehicle Industry Recap 2023 released in March.
The Recap, produced by the Electric Vehicle Council finds:
- EV (electric vehicle) sales (including both battery EVs and plug-in hybrids) grew by 120 per cent
- The total Australian EV fleet surpassed 180,000 electric vehicles
- Charging infrastructure locations increased by 75 per cent on the previous year, with 348 locations added across Australia
The Recap contains details on the top 20 EV models sold, an update on how Australia is tracking against the EVC’s recommended target of 1 million EVs by end of 2027, and the launch of a national EV ownership survey in collaboration with the University of Sydney.
The Recap also includes analysis of media claims about a slowdown in EV sales in the US, which the report states has been vastly overstated.
EVC chief executive Behyad Jafari said, “Naturally, as the total number of EVs sold continues to become ever larger, achieving the same levels of annual growth in percentage terms becomes increasingly difficult to achieve.
Jafari noted that extending the benefits of EVs to a broader cohort of Australians would requiring ongoing policy reform.
“After a long period of anticipation last decade, it’s now genuinely exciting to see the electric vehicle revolution now rolling out all over Australia,” said Jafari.
Electric vehicles are becoming increasing popular the multiple positive benefits for individuals and the environment.
“To sustain this positive trajectory we need sensible reform. The federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards are a crucial step that finally brings Australia into line with the rest of the developed world,” said Jafari.
The report claims the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards would enable Australians the same kind of choice offered in America and Europe.
“EVs are no longer a novelty, they are a core part of everyday Australian lives. Hopefully the abundant benefits of switching to an EV will be embraced by millions more Australians as the decade progresses,” said Jafari.
The report can be found here.