The range of EVs is surging, but certain fears are holding back sales
Consumer doubts about the longevity of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and the lack of a second-hand market are preventing more people from buying EVs, even as the number of options proliferates.
The government forecasts that EVs will one day dominate Australian roads but the latest figures show the proportion of new cars sold that are EVs has slowed to only 5.9 per cent of the market.
New research from insurance giant NRMA says key reasons Australians lack confidence in electric cars include doubts over owners' ability to find qualified EV technicians when they need repairs, and concerns about the viability and safety of second-hand EV parts, including batteries.
NRMA, which said there were 80 EV models available and more were expected in the coming months, also flagged customer concerns about how to safely dispose of EV batteries at the end of their use.
The report, based on interviews with 2079 people including 91 EV owners and 280 individuals considering EV ownership, showed more than 60 per cent of existing owners were concerned about the lack of qualified technicians who could repair them, and almost all of them said they expected their insurer to have access to EV technicians.
NRMA Insurance chief executive Julie Batch said the absence of qualified EV technicians was an issue compounded by a national shortage of automotive repair technicians.
'Nationally there are 38,000 unfilled automotive positions right now, and EVs are different. So you need both those skills that are current in automotive technicians, panel beaters, repairers, things like that, and you need to add to those things,' Batch said. She said filling that void would require upskilling an already dwindling industry.
The automotive sector has also previously warned of a shortage of technicians to service the growing number of EVs on the roads. The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce has said the industry would probably need two to three times the current number of qualified EV technicians.
An additional 68 per cent of those surveyed by NRMA were concerned about recycling and disposing of EV batteries, and less than one-third of drivers said they'd be comfortable using a recycled battery. They cited fears over battery fires, especially when charging vehicles, despite evidence suggesting EV battery fires are rare.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Huge cost of natural disasters in 2025 revealed
The Treasury has flagged GDP figures may be lower than expected this quarter due to a huge economic loss from natural disasters so far in 2025. New analysis by the Treasury has estimated the immediate loss of economic activity from natural disasters so far in 2025 is $2.2 billion. The huge costs of disasters this year, include the impacts of flooding in the NSW Hunter and mid-North Coast regions, as well as Cyclone Alfred and flooding in western Queensland and Far North Queensland. Most of the loss will affect the March quarter, the Treasury said, which is to be reflected in National Accounts released on Wednesday. The natural disasters have also had an impact on retail trade and household spending, data from the March quarter suggests. Retail trade in Queensland dropped 0.3% in February and 0.4% in March. Household spending was flat nationally, with a 0.2% drop in Queensland contributing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers highlighted the dual focus on human and economic costs, with continued disaster assistance. The huge cost of natural disasters this year, including the impacts of flash flooding on the mid-north coast of NSW as well as Cyclone Alfred in Queensland, have been revealed. SES via NewsWire Credit: NewsWire 'Our government's first priority is helping to fund the recovery and rebuild for communities hit hard by all the heavy weather we're seeing more and more frequently,' he said in a release. 'The human impacts matter to us most, but the economic cost is very significant too and we'll see that in Wednesday's National Accounts. 'The Government will be there for people in disaster hit regions, just like they're there for each other.' Mr Chalmers added they have activated disaster assistance to the Hunter and mid-North Coast regions of NSW. 'Because of the progress Australians have made together in the economy, with inflation down, debt down and unemployment low, we're in a stronger position to provide support when communities need it most,' he said. Meanwhile, Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain stressed the importance of preparedness and long-term recovery, with an extra $200 million to be invested via the Disaster Ready Fund in 2025–26. 'Our Government is committed to preparedness and resilience in order to protect communities when disasters strike,' she said. 'We are committed to funding support to increase resilience, adaptability and preparedness. Our Disaster Ready Fund initiative will provide another $200 million of investment in 2025-26.' The huge cost of natural disasters this year, including the impacts of flash flooding on the mid-north coast of NSW as well as Cyclone Alfred in Queensland, have been revealed. SES via NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia Ms McBain said she has recently been on the ground in NSW, and has seen first hand the effects a disaster can have. 'We have activated multiple disaster payments and we will continue to work with NSW on any other funding requests and I have been meeting with small business and primary producers who have been hit hard,' she said. 'For a lot of these people, it's the cumulative impact of a number of events and we understand that. 'That's why recovery isn't going to be over the next couple of days when cameras and lights are on the area. It's going to be days, weeks and months that we'll walk with these communities.' Leader of the opposition Sussan Ley is expected to visit flood affected communities on the Mid North Coast on Monday morning, along with local MPs.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Natural disasters cost Australia $2.2 billion in first six months of 2025
The Treasury has flagged GDP figures may be lower than expected this quarter due to a huge economic loss from natural disasters so far in 2025. New analysis by the Treasury has estimated the immediate loss of economic activity from natural disasters so far in 2025 is $2.2 billion. The huge costs of disasters this year, include the impacts of flooding in the NSW Hunter and mid-North Coast regions, as well as Cyclone Alfred and flooding in western Queensland and Far North Queensland. Most of the loss will affect the March quarter, the Treasury said, which is to be reflected in National Accounts released on Wednesday. The natural disasters have also had an impact on retail trade and household spending, data from the March quarter suggests. Retail trade in Queensland dropped 0.3% in February and 0.4% in March. Household spending was flat nationally, with a 0.2% drop in Queensland contributing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers highlighted the dual focus on human and economic costs, with continued disaster assistance. 'Our government's first priority is helping to fund the recovery and rebuild for communities hit hard by all the heavy weather we're seeing more and more frequently,' he said in a release. 'The human impacts matter to us most, but the economic cost is very significant too and we'll see that in Wednesday's National Accounts. 'The Government will be there for people in disaster hit regions, just like they're there for each other.' Mr Chalmers added they have activated disaster assistance to the Hunter and mid-North Coast regions of NSW. 'Because of the progress Australians have made together in the economy, with inflation down, debt down and unemployment low, we're in a stronger position to provide support when communities need it most,' he said. Meanwhile, Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain stressed the importance of preparedness and long-term recovery, with an extra $200 million to be invested via the Disaster Ready Fund in 2025–26. 'Our Government is committed to preparedness and resilience in order to protect communities when disasters strike,' she said. 'We are committed to funding support to increase resilience, adaptability and preparedness. Our Disaster Ready Fund initiative will provide another $200 million of investment in 2025-26.' Ms McBain said she has recently been on the ground in NSW, and has seen first hand the effects a disaster can have. 'We have activated multiple disaster payments and we will continue to work with NSW on any other funding requests and I have been meeting with small business and primary producers who have been hit hard,' she said. 'For a lot of these people, it's the cumulative impact of a number of events and we understand that. 'That's why recovery isn't going to be over the next couple of days when cameras and lights are on the area. It's going to be days, weeks and months that we'll walk with these communities.' Leader of the opposition Sussan Ley is expected to visit flood affected communities on the Mid North Coast on Monday morning, along with local MPs.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Carbon tariff on the table for overseas businesses
Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia remained on-track to meet its legislated 43 per cent by 2030 emissions reduction target but that the nation needed to do more to achieve it. Asked if a carbon tariff - a tax charged on imports - was still a prospect, Mr Bowen flagged particular sectors were being considered. But consultation with Australian industry was still underway, he added. "I've had lots of meetings with steel makers and cement makers about these things over the past 12 months ... getting their feedback, and we'll have more to say during the course of this term," he told the ABC on Sunday. Mr Bowen said gas giant Woodside will be required to ensure the North West Shelf project meets net-zero emissions by 2050. Woodside hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant, and last week was given approval by the Albanese government to keep operating until 2070. The move has been slammed by environmental groups. "In effect, all the facilities covered, the more than 200 facilities covered by the safeguard mechanism are obliged to have a pathway to net-zero," the minister said. The mechanism is a policy designed to limit emissions at Australia's largest industrial facilities in line with the nation's climate targets. Religious leaders in Western Australia have expressed their disappointment at the 40-year expansion given to the energy giant. Reverend Ken Devereux, from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, said the next test for the government was to make sure the Browse project does not go ahead. Woodside has been trying to get environmental approvals for the $30 billion Browse gas project off the Kimberley coast since 2018. "We believe that moral and ethical choices for the greater good for humanity and creation need to take precedence over the benefits to fossil fuel corporations and the short-term economy," Rev Devereux said. Asked if approving gas projects would make it harder for Australia to win a global climate summit it is bidding to co-host with Pacific Island nations next year, Mr Bowen said these decisions would always be controversial. "I don't deny that, but we'll always set Australia's domestic policy in Australia's domestic best interest," he said. "There's a great opportunity for our country, (it) restores Australia's leadership in climate against the bad years of the decade of denial and delay, (and) shows we're back in a very meaningful way". Turkey is also bidding for the climate talks, with the energy minister hopeful the issue is resolved soon. Mr Bowen said Australia remains on track to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, despite a small increase in emissions last year. He also ruled out a retrospective domestic gas reservation policy to existing fields. Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia remained on-track to meet its legislated 43 per cent by 2030 emissions reduction target but that the nation needed to do more to achieve it. Asked if a carbon tariff - a tax charged on imports - was still a prospect, Mr Bowen flagged particular sectors were being considered. But consultation with Australian industry was still underway, he added. "I've had lots of meetings with steel makers and cement makers about these things over the past 12 months ... getting their feedback, and we'll have more to say during the course of this term," he told the ABC on Sunday. Mr Bowen said gas giant Woodside will be required to ensure the North West Shelf project meets net-zero emissions by 2050. Woodside hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant, and last week was given approval by the Albanese government to keep operating until 2070. The move has been slammed by environmental groups. "In effect, all the facilities covered, the more than 200 facilities covered by the safeguard mechanism are obliged to have a pathway to net-zero," the minister said. The mechanism is a policy designed to limit emissions at Australia's largest industrial facilities in line with the nation's climate targets. Religious leaders in Western Australia have expressed their disappointment at the 40-year expansion given to the energy giant. Reverend Ken Devereux, from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, said the next test for the government was to make sure the Browse project does not go ahead. Woodside has been trying to get environmental approvals for the $30 billion Browse gas project off the Kimberley coast since 2018. "We believe that moral and ethical choices for the greater good for humanity and creation need to take precedence over the benefits to fossil fuel corporations and the short-term economy," Rev Devereux said. Asked if approving gas projects would make it harder for Australia to win a global climate summit it is bidding to co-host with Pacific Island nations next year, Mr Bowen said these decisions would always be controversial. "I don't deny that, but we'll always set Australia's domestic policy in Australia's domestic best interest," he said. "There's a great opportunity for our country, (it) restores Australia's leadership in climate against the bad years of the decade of denial and delay, (and) shows we're back in a very meaningful way". Turkey is also bidding for the climate talks, with the energy minister hopeful the issue is resolved soon. Mr Bowen said Australia remains on track to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, despite a small increase in emissions last year. He also ruled out a retrospective domestic gas reservation policy to existing fields. Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia remained on-track to meet its legislated 43 per cent by 2030 emissions reduction target but that the nation needed to do more to achieve it. Asked if a carbon tariff - a tax charged on imports - was still a prospect, Mr Bowen flagged particular sectors were being considered. But consultation with Australian industry was still underway, he added. "I've had lots of meetings with steel makers and cement makers about these things over the past 12 months ... getting their feedback, and we'll have more to say during the course of this term," he told the ABC on Sunday. Mr Bowen said gas giant Woodside will be required to ensure the North West Shelf project meets net-zero emissions by 2050. Woodside hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant, and last week was given approval by the Albanese government to keep operating until 2070. The move has been slammed by environmental groups. "In effect, all the facilities covered, the more than 200 facilities covered by the safeguard mechanism are obliged to have a pathway to net-zero," the minister said. The mechanism is a policy designed to limit emissions at Australia's largest industrial facilities in line with the nation's climate targets. Religious leaders in Western Australia have expressed their disappointment at the 40-year expansion given to the energy giant. Reverend Ken Devereux, from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, said the next test for the government was to make sure the Browse project does not go ahead. Woodside has been trying to get environmental approvals for the $30 billion Browse gas project off the Kimberley coast since 2018. "We believe that moral and ethical choices for the greater good for humanity and creation need to take precedence over the benefits to fossil fuel corporations and the short-term economy," Rev Devereux said. Asked if approving gas projects would make it harder for Australia to win a global climate summit it is bidding to co-host with Pacific Island nations next year, Mr Bowen said these decisions would always be controversial. "I don't deny that, but we'll always set Australia's domestic policy in Australia's domestic best interest," he said. "There's a great opportunity for our country, (it) restores Australia's leadership in climate against the bad years of the decade of denial and delay, (and) shows we're back in a very meaningful way". Turkey is also bidding for the climate talks, with the energy minister hopeful the issue is resolved soon. Mr Bowen said Australia remains on track to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, despite a small increase in emissions last year. He also ruled out a retrospective domestic gas reservation policy to existing fields. Labor has left the door open to a tax on cement and steel coming in from places not taking sufficient climate action. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia remained on-track to meet its legislated 43 per cent by 2030 emissions reduction target but that the nation needed to do more to achieve it. Asked if a carbon tariff - a tax charged on imports - was still a prospect, Mr Bowen flagged particular sectors were being considered. But consultation with Australian industry was still underway, he added. "I've had lots of meetings with steel makers and cement makers about these things over the past 12 months ... getting their feedback, and we'll have more to say during the course of this term," he told the ABC on Sunday. Mr Bowen said gas giant Woodside will be required to ensure the North West Shelf project meets net-zero emissions by 2050. Woodside hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant, and last week was given approval by the Albanese government to keep operating until 2070. The move has been slammed by environmental groups. "In effect, all the facilities covered, the more than 200 facilities covered by the safeguard mechanism are obliged to have a pathway to net-zero," the minister said. The mechanism is a policy designed to limit emissions at Australia's largest industrial facilities in line with the nation's climate targets. Religious leaders in Western Australia have expressed their disappointment at the 40-year expansion given to the energy giant. Reverend Ken Devereux, from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, said the next test for the government was to make sure the Browse project does not go ahead. Woodside has been trying to get environmental approvals for the $30 billion Browse gas project off the Kimberley coast since 2018. "We believe that moral and ethical choices for the greater good for humanity and creation need to take precedence over the benefits to fossil fuel corporations and the short-term economy," Rev Devereux said. Asked if approving gas projects would make it harder for Australia to win a global climate summit it is bidding to co-host with Pacific Island nations next year, Mr Bowen said these decisions would always be controversial. "I don't deny that, but we'll always set Australia's domestic policy in Australia's domestic best interest," he said. "There's a great opportunity for our country, (it) restores Australia's leadership in climate against the bad years of the decade of denial and delay, (and) shows we're back in a very meaningful way". Turkey is also bidding for the climate talks, with the energy minister hopeful the issue is resolved soon. Mr Bowen said Australia remains on track to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, despite a small increase in emissions last year. He also ruled out a retrospective domestic gas reservation policy to existing fields.
