EV owner survey: Apparently, you lot think EVs are great!
Australian electric vehicle owners are reporting significantly lower running costs and growing confidence in the technology, with new survey data showing many of the biggest perceived barriers to EV ownership fall away once drivers make the switch.
The second EV Ownership Survey, released by the Electric Vehicle Council and the University of Sydney’s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, is based on responses from 1839 EV owners across Australia and offers one of the most detailed snapshots yet of real-world ownership.
The findings show more than 70 per cent of owners are saving over 60 per cent on fuel costs compared with their previous petrol vehicle, with electricity estimated to be around four times cheaper per kilometre.
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Running costs extend beyond fuel savings, with 73 per cent of respondents spending less than $300 a year on maintenance, while most also reported relatively low insurance costs.
The survey also provides fresh insight into the real cost of charging, with the average home electricity price sitting at about $0.27kWh, helping explain the significant savings compared with petrol.
Home charging remains central to the ownership experience, with 93 per cent of EV owners able to charge at home and 85 per cent doing so in the week prior to the survey.
A strong Australian trend is the pairing of EVs with rooftop solar, with around 80 per cent of home-charging households using solar energy to further reduce costs.
The report reinforces that many widely cited concerns about EVs diminish with real-world use.
Issues such as range anxiety, charging access and upfront cost were all found to drop sharply after purchase, with most drivers reporting that EV ownership is simpler and more practical than expected.
This is reflected in usage patterns, with EV drivers travelling between roughly 14,000km and 17,000km annually depending on location, suggesting modern EVs comfortably meet typical Australian driving needs.
The survey also highlights a shift towards mainstream adoption, although early adopters still dominate. Most respondents are homeowners, many with solar, and the average EV purchase price has fallen to about $63,000, down from $70,000 in the previous year’s survey.
Government incentives continue to play a role in driving uptake. About 32 per cent of owners received an incentive, with many indicating it was a decisive factor in their purchase decision.
The data also points to the growing importance of leasing in improving affordability and feeding the used EV market. The survey suggests up to 59 per cent of leased EVs are expected to enter the second-hand market within six years, compared with 45 per cent of purchased vehicles.
Public charging remains an important part of the ecosystem, with 93 per cent of owners reporting they have used public chargers. There is also a clear shift towards faster charging options, with increasing preference for DC fast chargers over slower AC alternatives.
Confidence in EV technology is also strengthening, with many owners expecting to keep their vehicles for six to 10 years or longer, reflecting growing trust in battery durability and long-term usability.
