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EV Waiting Times Skyrocket

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Waiting Times For EV Vehicles Have Skyrocketed Due To Australian Emission Standards

With the number of solar panels installed each year in Australia, you would assume that those households would also be investing in EV vehicles. With the ability to charge your EV vehicle from your solar panel system, you would assume it is a no-brainer, right?

Unfortunately, this is not the case. There is no lack of demand. Moreover, there is a lack of supply. As a result, Australia remains a low-priority market for EV manufacturers. But why?

Australia lacks strict vehicle emissions standards, consequently leading to the country now ranking 22nd in the world for the worst fuel efficiency. Manufacturers are choosing to send their EVs to Europe and New Zealand over Australia because of its policy favouring petrol engines. 

It has left consumers blaming the Government for the long wait times for EVs and the limited supply coming into Australia. Even though the Labor Government reduced luxury car tax and import tariffs, it made it harder to buy EV vehicles as the supply was still low. 

In this blog, I will look at why waiting times are now through the roof and if there is any hope for change in the near future.

Australian EV Buyers Are Facing Long Waits For Up To 12 Months Or More

Some Australians have been waiting over six months for their EV, with news that they might need to wait another six months. 

To help understand the bigger picture of what Australia has to deal with, Kia said they would send 300 EV6s to Australia in total for a whole year. However, they shipped 2,500 to the US in one month! So you can see why Australian consumers are frustrated with the wait times. 

The wait times are ridiculous compared to other countries, and they come with financial implications. Moreover, there is a financial penalty for waiting, which increases the price even more. 

It makes the consumer question whether it is even worth it. The main reason people in Australia want to purchase an EV vehicle is for environmental reasons. Not only that, they can save money by charging it through their own solar systems. However, consumers can’t wait forever and will eventually result in buying a petrol run car. 

In my opinion, the lack of supply will contribute even further to the environmental impact petrol-run cars are having in Australia.

This Is All Due To Australian Emission Standards Which Is Dubbed "Outdated"

Frustrated buyers on the waiting list blame the outdated emission standards for the lack of supply coming into Australia. 

The Federal Government has a very ambitious target of 89% EV share of vehicle sales by 2030! But, unfortunately, the current policy in no way supports this goal. Discussions started in late 2022 but have yet to make much progress. 

If there are emissions standards improvements, it will be impressive if Australia even meets 60% of sales being EV vehicles by 2040. We would be drastically behind the EU and the US. Currently, EVs represent only 2% of vehicle sales. This was expected to rise to 4% in 2022. Compared to Europe, where 1 in 10 vehicles are EVs. 

We are on the right path with laws being passed to make EVs cheaper, but fuel standards need to be next on the agenda. 

It Was Announced In September The Government Will Investigate This Issue

The Government announced a white paper which is to investigate emission standards, which could essentially cap emissions from cars that manufacturers sell. 

In other news, a bill to reduce EV prices has made it through the lower house but has yet to move past the senate.

These are both positive steps in the direction. Still, it does not look like there will be any changes to Government policy any time soon.

Homeowners Are Also Looking At EV Chargers To Install At Their Home

The Government announced a white paper which is to investigate emission standards, which could essentially cap emissions from cars that manufacturers sell. 

In other news, a bill to reduce EV prices has made it through the lower house but has yet to move past the senate.

These are both positive steps in the direction. Still, it does not look like there will be any changes to Government policy any time soon.

Conclusion

Overall, I can understand, and I feel the frustration of EV buyers. 

The great thing to see is that the demand is high across the country. Australia wants EV vehicles. However, the supply issues due to outdated emission standards need to change rapidly. 

Reducing luxury car and import taxes is a step in the right direction. Although it has made it even harder to get hold of an EV in Australia, it highlights to the Australian Government that there needs to be something done. 

Not only for those waiting for an EV vehicle but also the economy. What do you think? Do you want an EV vehicle?

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Written By:

Luke Cove
Managing Director
Lightning Solar & Electrical

luke cove - Founder of lightning solar

3 thoughts on “EV Waiting Times Skyrocket”

  1. I’ve got a Tesla model 3, but i also have a Huawei inverter. Do i need to worry about the risks of a Huawei inverter ‘infecting’ my tesla?

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