Promotional video for MAG Australia September 11, 2026 — 9:28 am Save You have reached the maximum number of items saved. Remove items from the saved list to add new ones. AAA Electric vehicles are at the forefront of Australian motorists’ minds, with interest soaring from 20 per cent in 2024 to 31 per cent this year. While confidence in electric vehicles is growing, concerns about charging, battery life and resale value are holding back some buyers. Latest NRMA Insurance News Shifting gears The report shows a broader shift in consumer sentiment. Consideration of plug-in hybrid vehicles rose from 41 per cent to 58 per cent, leaving just 17 per cent of Australians saying they would not consider electric vehicles at all. Lower operating costs and increased vehicle choice are driving interest while long-standing concerns are fading. However, as enthusiasm grows, questions remain about the practicality of everyday ownership. Australians no longer need convincing of the benefits of electric vehicles. They need confidence that it will be easy and practical to own. Bridging the Acceptance Gap NRMA Insurance chief executive Julie Batch says the car market has entered a new phase where Australians are considering not only whether they want an electric car, but whether owning one will fit easily into their lives. “There’s no doubt that 2026 was a tipping point for EV adoption. More affordable cars, expanded charging infrastructure and government incentives have all helped bring EVs into the mainstream,” Butch says. “At the same time, rising gasoline prices and concerns about long-term fuel security have given consumers even more reasons to consider electric vehicles.” She adds that Australians no longer need to be convinced of the benefits of electric vehicles; They are now looking for the assurance that ownership will be simple and practical. “Australians want to know they can charge their car where they live, that their battery is safe and will last, and that a local repairman can fix it if something goes wrong. “Our research shows that barriers to adoption have less to do with the technology itself and more to do with the day-to-day realities of ownership. Addressing these issues will be critical to helping more Australians make the switch.” Perception vs reality Among the 17 per cent of Australians who would not buy an electric car, battery health and longevity top the list of concerns (60 per cent), followed by range (56 per cent), charging time (54 per cent) and risk of battery fire (52 per cent). Access to charging infrastructure also remains a challenge, with nearly half refusing to consider an electric car, citing a lack of public charging, and 35 percent saying they can’t charge at home. Another 26 percent cite the lack of mechanics who can service electric vehicles as a barrier. The report also says confidence in battery health could be critical to opening up the used electric vehicle market in Australia. More than half of Australians considering purchasing an electric vehicle (54 per cent) would be willing to purchase a used electric vehicle, and 82 per cent believe there should be a way to monitor and check the condition of the battery. Access to chargers remains a key barrier to EV adoption. Fact trumps fiction Butch says the findings show many Australians still rely on outdated beliefs. “Some of the concerns we see around battery health and safety do not reflect the reality of modern electric vehicles, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. The challenge is to help Australians separate fact from fiction and make decisions based on reliable information,” she says. “For example, independent battery testing is already widely available and can provide buyers with a clear picture of the battery’s health. When it comes to fires, EV battery fires are extremely rare, and when properly charged, the risk of fire is virtually zero.” Sean Ticehurst, head of motor research at NRMA Insurance, says concerns about repairs and maintenance often outstrip the reality on the ground. “While 26 per cent of those not considering electric vehicles say lack of mechanics is a barrier, the industry is rapidly developing the skills and training needed to support more electric vehicles on Australian roads,” says Mr Ticehurst. “As electric vehicle ownership grows, so does the repair and service network. The challenge is to ensure consumers know that options grow with adoption. “This research tells us that, as well as improving access to charging and developing a national approach to battery health, Australians are looking for reliable, actionable information to help them make informed decisions and feel confident about owning an electric vehicle.” Road to 2030 NRMA Insurance, the country’s largest auto insurer, currently estimates that electric vehicles make up about 3 percent of its auto policies, and that share is expected to rise to about 10 percent by 2030. Tesla accounts for about 50 percent, followed by BYD, MG, Hyundai and BMW. Other emerging brands include Geely, Zeekr and Omoda Jaecoo. With around 500,000 battery electric vehicles currently on Australian roads, representing around 3 per cent of the national vehicle fleet, turning widespread consumer interest into long-term confidence will depend on providing transparent data on battery performance and a clear path to daily maintenance. Changing Course: Closing the Trust Gap is the third in a series conducted by research firm Ipsos on behalf of NRMA Insurance. Click here to view the full report. Save You have reached the maximum number of items saved. Remove items from the saved list to add new ones. From our partners Post navigation A year after Charlie Kirk’s death, are young voters turning against Trump? New insect pests are disrupting biosecurity and destroying berry crops