EV Sales Are Surging in Australia — But Are They Cheaper to Run?

More Australians than ever are choosing electric vehicles, or EVs, for their daily driving. The country now has about 650,000 electric cars on its roads. During just the April–June period this year, Australia saw its biggest-ever jump in EV sales in a single quarter. Nearly one in every two new cars sold was either electric or hybrid, showing how fast things are changing.

So far this year, EVs make up 26.7 per cent of all new car sales in Australia. That is more than double the 12 per cent share from the same time last year. Rising petrol prices have pushed many drivers to look for cheaper options. Many people believe electric cars cost less to run, but is that really true?

Electric cars do need regular servicing, just like petrol cars. The Australian government says EVs should be checked by a professional once a year. However, because EVs have far fewer moving parts than petrol cars, they need much less maintenance overall. An EV has about 20 moving parts, while a regular petrol car can have more than 2,000.

The Electric Vehicle Council, or EVC, says servicing an EV is simpler and less frequent than servicing a petrol car. When an EV is serviced, the focus is on tyres, brakes, and suspension, along with battery health checks and software updates. Some EVs also have a battery filter that cleans the air used to cool the battery, and this filter may need to be changed over time. These are extra items that owners of regular cars don't have to worry about.

One important thing to know is that EVs are heavier than regular cars. A typical mid-size electric city car weighs about 400 kilograms more than a traditional car, according to automotive teacher Clint Flower. That extra weight puts more stress on the tyres and suspension. Because of this, EV tyres are specially built to handle the load, but they still wear out and need replacing.

When it comes to costs, EVs are generally cheaper to maintain. The New South Wales government says EV servicing usually costs about 40 per cent less than servicing a regular petrol car. The EVC estimates that owning an EV could save a driver around $3,000 per year. Those savings come from lower charging costs and having fewer parts that need to be fixed or replaced.

Research shows just how big the difference can be at the fuel pump. Driving a petrol car costs an average of $22.20 per 100 kilometres when petrol is $2 per litre, rising to $33.30 if petrol hits $3 per litre. By contrast, EV owners who charge during the day pay as little as $1.20 per 100 kilometres. Even those who charge at peak evening times pay only $5.90 per 100 kilometres.

Some people have the wrong idea about what EV ownership involves. Peter Jones from the Motor Trades Association says many people think EVs need no oil at all, but that is not quite right. Most EVs have a gearbox that contains oil, which must be changed on a regular schedule. EVs also have brake fluid that should be replaced every two to three years, just like in a regular car.

Another common worry is about battery life, especially in second-hand EVs. Many buyers fear that an older EV's battery will fail soon after they buy it, and that replacing it will cost more than the car is worth. However, Clint Flower says EV batteries are actually very reliable. Over five to six years, most EV batteries only lose about 4 or 5 per cent of their original capacity.

Australia also needs more trained mechanics who can work on electric vehicles. Modelling predicts there will be about 8,400 EV technicians by 2028, growing to 13,000 by 2030. People interested in this career can complete a Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology. As more Australians switch to electric cars, having enough skilled technicians will be an important part of keeping the roads safe.