20% surge in Australian EV sales signals shift towards sustainable transport

A recent report by the Electric Vehicle Council reveals a dramatic increase in electric vehicle (EV) sales across Australia, marking a significant shift in the country’s automotive landscape. The report, titled Australian Electric Vehicle Industry Recap 2023, indicates a remarkable 120% rise in EV sales over the past year, reflecting a growing acceptance and adoption of EVs among Australian consumers.

According to the report, the number of EVs on Australian roads has surpassed 180,000, with an impressive 98,436 EVs purchased in the year 2023 alone. This surge in sales is accompanied by a substantial expansion in charging infrastructure, with the number of charging stations increasing by 75 percent compared to the previous year, totaling 812 stations nationwide, The Guardian reported.

The Australian Capital Territory emerges as a leader in the national EV market, with EVs accounting for over 20% of all new vehicle sales, fueled by supportive government policies. Other states also witnessed significant growth, with New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria experiencing sales growth rates of 9 percent, 8.3 percent, and 8 percent, respectively. Notably, the Northern Territory saw a remarkable threefold increase in EV sales in 2023.

Despite these strides, EVs still represent only about 1 percent of all light vehicles in Australia, signaling that there is still much ground to cover to achieve the country’s 2050 zero emissions targets. The Electric Vehicle Council advocates for an ambitious target of one million EVs on Australian roads by 2027 but acknowledges that achieving this goal requires overcoming various challenges, including the limited supply of new EVs to Australia.

Behyad Jafari, CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council, expressed optimism about the future of EVs in Australia, stating, “EVs are no longer a novelty; they are a core part of everyday Australian lives.” He emphasised the importance of sensible reforms, particularly the federal government’s proposed new vehicle efficiency standards, which aim to align Australia with global norms and incentivize the adoption of low- and zero-emission vehicles.

The report also shed light on the EV market in the United States, where sales continued to soar, surpassing 1.4 million units in 2023. This figure exceeds the total number of all new vehicles sold in Australia during the same period, underscoring the momentum behind the global shift towards electric transportation.

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