The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) said while consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is surging, many Australians who want to purchase an electric car are being told they may have to wait many months, or even years.
The EVC said in its latest State of Electric Vehicles report the limited access to models that are available in international markets is restricting choice for Australian consumers across all vehicle segments.
EVC chief executive Behyad Jafari said the federal government’s refusal to move on fuel efficiency standards was a key driver of the supply restriction.
“Because the Morrison government refuses to introduce the same fuel efficiency standards they have in the US and the UK, Australians are being denied access to the electric cars they now desperately want — especially at the more affordable end of the market,” he said.
“Carmakers look at Australia and see strong demand, which is encouraging. But they also realise that every time they sell an EV in America or Europe that will count toward meeting the fuel efficiency standards of those jurisdictions. So naturally they prefer to sell EVs there, instead of here.
“Through a toxic combination of inertia, myopia, and dogma the Morrison government has created a situation where thousands of Australians can’t get access to the car they want to buy.
“All over the world governments are recognising that most consumers want an electric option when they consider their next vehicle and they’re doing what they can to make that option viable. Australia remains a real outlier.
“It has been encouraging lately to see several state and territory governments introduce positive demand policies to incentivise the purchase of electric vehicles for consumers. But until the federal government comes to party consumer choice will continue to be throttled.
“If Australia continues to be one of the only developed nations without fuel efficiency standards then we will continue to be a dumping ground for the world’s dirtiest vehicles.”
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