The latest survey into EV ownership shows charging is still a key focus with workplaces the next target to boost charging opportunities and increase uptake.
It comes as the coalition made a sudden backflip on its promise to maintain subsidies on the fringe benefits tax to promote increased purchasing of EVs.
The study of 1500 EV owners conducted by the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS) at the University of Sydney with the Electric Vehicle Council found less than a third of owners have access to workplace charging.
But the more often workers commute, the more important charging at work becomes.
The Electric Vehicle Council wants government incentives to employers to boost EV chargers, including funding for installation and exemptions from the fringe benefits tax.
Election promises
Less than ten days out from the election the coalition confirmed it would wind back Labor’s discount through support for the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for electric vehicles.
National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA) CEO Rohan Martin says it is a contradiction of their policy to take the assistance away.
“The Coalition’s announcement that it would wind back electric vehicle (EV) subsidies will hurt everyday ordinary working Australians—at a time when the cost-of-living crisis, including escalating transport costs, is hitting hard,” Martin says.
“NALSPA is disappointed at the Coalition’s reversal on the commitment from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on Monday of this week to maintain the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for EVs.
“Winding back the EV FBT exemption would disproportionately affect average working Australians in the outer suburbs, such as Werribee in south-west Melbourne, Baulkham Hills in north-west Sydney and Springfield south-west of Brisbane, where the policy has seen the most significant uptake.
“And most surprisingly such a winding back doesn’t align with the Coalition’s own election pledges—like tax relief through an offset, scrapping the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard penalties to lower upfront car costs, and halving the fuel excise—because the EV FBT exemption successfully delivers on all those fronts.
“To the contrary, winding back the EV FBT exemption would increase the cost to own and operate a car for the many working Australians seeking to save money and reduce their carbon footprint through owning an electric vehicle.
“We therefore call on the Coalition to reverse their proposal to wind back these subsidies so that working Australians and their families can have certainty as they seek to reduce their cost of living.”
Sales of pure EV’s have stalled in 2025 after peak growth in 2024 as buyers turn to hybrids and PHEVs to overcome ongoing perceptions about range and the ease of locating chargers.
Costs and benefits
While 92 per cent charge at home, with many utilising solar panels to save money, It argues the flexibility of a workplace charging set-up will help build uptake for those in inner city areas without a home-charging option.
While this setup can save drivers $3,000 per year on fuel the survey also found the average outlay for the vehicle was $70,000 with 78 per cent of respondents male and 85 per cent aged over 40.
Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio says employers who provide workers with a place to charge their EV stand to benefit.
“For many of us, a significant amount of time is spent at work, making it a prime place to charge an EV, however a relatively low number of workplaces offer this infrastructure,” Delvecchio says.
“EV drivers who commute to the workplace most days regard charging at work as very important. By providing a place to plug in while you work, employers can entice more staff with EVs to commute in, and even encourage other staff to make the switch to an EV. We know some Australians are unable to charge at home so this could be part of the solution.
Distances travelled
The EV Ownership Survey has also found owners are travelling between 15,000 to 20,000 km per year based on whether there are metro or regional owners. While the majority of trips are short, the average longest journey is 500km a distance the report says shows range anxiety is not so significant a factor for owners.
Longer trips over 150km are less frequent for the surveyed recipients, with 30 per cent of owners making trips over 150 km once every three months, and 25 per cent doing so monthly.
“This tells me that range anxiety is overstated as a concern once you’re behind the wheel of an EV. Driving an electric vehicle doesn’t restrict long road trips, it actually seems to encourage them. EV motorists are driving more kilometres in a year than the average petrol or diesel driver.”
“There are more than 300,000 electric vehicles on Australia’s roads today, with about one in ten new cars sold now an EV. As the share of EVs increases, ongoing research like this is essential to track evolving consumer behaviour and infrastructure needs over time. This report offers a valuable snapshot of how Australians are using their EVs and the infrastructure they rely on. It highlights the importance of continued investment in charging networks and supportive policies to accelerate the EV transition.”