By: Mike Crooks
From Teslas to Toyotas, electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids are gradually taking over the roads.
Once just a pipe dream that many thought was too impractical to become a reality, the battery-powered EV is dramatically increasing in popularity and demand.
The number of EVs on Australian roads doubled during a 12-month period in 2022 and 2023, according to the Electric Vehicle Council.
At the beginning of 2022 there was around 40,000 EVs on Australian roads; now the nation holds 83,000 EVs.
And according to online auction platform Collecting Cars Australia, the demand for EVs is expected to grow by more than 22 per cent over the next five years.
“Demand far outstrips supply, Australians are lined up ready to buy electric vehicles,” Electric Vehicle Council chief executive, Behyad Jafari, told the Guardian.
“The enthusiasm is there in abundance, we just need our governments to continue the policy reform that makes it easy to transition away from the exhaust pipe.”
“Accelerating the nation”
That policy reform comes under the Albanese government’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy, which “sets a vision to increase the uptake of electric vehicles to reduce our emissions and improve the well-being of Australians,” according to a Federal Government statement.
The strategy involves initiatives that aim to make EVs more affordable, expand their availability, make it easier to charge the vehicles at locations throughout the nation, and more.
“We’re accelerating our nation to a future where Australians have greater choice,” read the government statement.
“Where you can buy from a larger range of vehicles that are cleaner and cheaper to run.”
Popular EVs
The most popular EV in 2022 was the Tesla Model 3, with 10,877 sold. It retails from around $60,000.
Other high-end EVs include the Polestar, made by Volvo in Sweden. The Polestar 2 is priced from around $60,000.
But there are more affordable EVs and hybrids, such as Toyota’s RAV4 hybrid (from $40k) and the Yaris hybrid (from $30k). Hybrids have both fuel-powered and battery-powered engines.
“Extinct” Cars
According to Collecting Cars Australia, the rise of EVs will cause many iconic vehicles to become obsolete.
According to Collecting Cars Australia, the rise of EVs will cause many iconic vehicles to become obsolete.
The cars and car types that CCA predicts will become obsolete include: Porsche 911, big SUVs and four-wheel drives such as Range Rovers, and v12s like the Ferrari.
In fact, Porsche are committed to making 80 per cent of their vehicles electric by 2030, according to a statement from the famous car brand.
“So you can wave goodbye to the 911,” said CCA chief Richard Fowler.
As for big SUVs like fuel-guzzling Range Rovers, “they are definitely going to get nixed as we move towards electric,” Mr Fowler said.
“They take up huge amounts of space and will become collector’s items, with many brands moving towards models like the Lotus Eletra SUV, which is fuelled by smaller, electric motors.”
New Demand for Old
Due to this, demand for these iconic cars is increasing as people try to snap up what will one day be a piece of history.
According to CCA, sales for rare, iconic sporting vehicles is anticipated to hit $90 million by the end of year on its auction website.
“Better for the Environment”
Meanwhile, experts predict that within a few decades, EVs will outnumber internal combustion vehicles on roads throughout the world.
According to Research and Markets, by 2030 EVs will represent nearly 48 per cent of all new cars sold worldwide.
And the Australian government is taking heed.
“We’re committed to ensuring an Australian vehicle market provides consumers with easier access to affordable and popular cars, including EVs that are better for the back pocket and the environment,” Labor MP Catherine King said.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Photo by Michael Marais on Unsplash