New data reveals the progress the Sunshine Coast is making toward shifting to electric vehicles (EVs).
And we could be doing better.
Two local EV owners have revealed opposing views on the acceleration rate of the region in this growing space, but they both agreed more people should consider going electric, as ‘it is the way of the future’.
Local EV owner Luke Oliver said while more people should consider making the change, he believes it’ll take a few more years before the widespread adoption of EVs.
The Mooloolah Valley resident said his motivators for purchasing his Tesla Model 3 were primarily environmental factors and reducing fuel costs – he revealed he had saved more than $15,000 in three years.
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“It’s great knowing my car produces less exhaust emissions,” Mr Oliver said. “On about 20,000 kilometers in three years, it cost us about three and a half cents a kilometre to run. That’s a savings of about $16,000.
“We’ve got solar installed, so the battery charges on that too … I feel like, in a way, I’m doing my part for the environment driving an EV. It was the right choice for us to make the switch. I have zero complaints.”
Meantime, Peregian Beach resident Lyndi Hill has been turning heads with her Tesla Model 3, and its clever personalised plates – RIP OIL.
“I stop at the lights and look in my rear-view mirror and someone is taking a picture of my number plate,” Ms Hill said. “It gets a lot of good attention.”
She echoed Mr Oliver’s reasons for climbing aboard the EV train.
“We didn’t want to contribute to global warming and the air temperatures rising,” she said
“We are charging on solar on daylight, so we are not taking anything from the grid – we have electric pushbikes, my work vehicle is electric, so we are in boots and all.
“I do think more people should own them – we should leave as much oil in the ground as we can – it is the future.”
Transport and Main Roads data revealed the total number of EVs registered in Sunshine Coast and Noosa local government areas is 914 (as of June 30), an increase from 222 in 2020 and 446 in 2021
Current RACQ data showed the total number of EV registered in Queensland is 11,849 (as of September 30), which makes significant dent in 21,771 battery electric vehicles sold in Australia in the last year to date.
“Those numbers are an increase for EV’s on the Coast,” Mr Oliver said. “You see a lot more of them around now.”
But Ms Hill thought the region’s EV owner figures were “pretty underwhelming.”
“Actually, all of Australia’s figures are pretty woeful – especially compared to places like Europe,” she said.
“The government needs to get behind some rebates and encourage more ownership uptake.”
RACQ’s Principal Technical Researcher Andrew Kirk said the current national figures were promising.
“It shows how keen we are as a nation to transition towards zero emissions,” he said.
Figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show 7,247 battery electric vehicles were sold during September 2022, surpassing the sales figures of hybrids and plug-in-hybrids combined (5,141).
RACQ data showed the overall market share of battery electric vehicles however is at 2.7 per cent, which is 0.07 per cent up from last year’s national figure of 2 per cent.
However, Mr Kirk said that figure was still low.
“We want to see current vehicle policies from our governments broadened in scope and ambition to further incentives the uptake of cleaner transport options and make electric vehicles more affordable for Queenslanders and all Australians,” Mr Kirk said.
While Mr Oliver said he did not get a government rebate when he bought his EV, he was slapped with one third of the purchase price being Government fees, in taxes and charges.
“I think it’s eased a little bit now,” Mr Oliver said.
A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said to encourage EV uptake, the department was making zero emissions more affordable by reducing upfront costs for Queenslanders.
Buyers of new eligible zero emission vehicles with a purchase price (dutiable value) of up to $58,000 (including GST) after 16 March 2022 can apply for a $3000 rebate and continue to receive existing benefits like discounted vehicle registration and registration duty costs.
Mr Oliver welcomed the ACT’s plans to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
“Bring it on,” he said.
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