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Are Aussies ready
to plug in?
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By the end of 2025, Australians will have more than 40 EV brands to choose from1 – but are we ready to make the switch?
We asked over 1,000 Australians what they think about electric cars – the barriers holding them back, what’s driving interest, how they see insurance, and how confident they feel about buying one.
1 Drive.com.au, Best electric cars coming to Australia in 2024 and 2025
Data for the Youi EV Data Digest study was sourced from a survey conducted by Dentsu Intelligence from August 2025, involving 1,003 individuals aged 18 years old and above, from all states and territories within Australia who identified as car owners and drivers. Some percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Survey results have not been independently verified by Youi and may not be representative of the general population. Individual experiences may vary.
7% of Australians have owned an EV
Despite the low uptake in EV ownership, the market is shifting. And while the road to electric might be long, Australia is slowly switching gears.
EV & hybrid share is on the rise.
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars have steadily declined as battery-electric vehicles surge in popularity.
● ICE = Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle
● BEV = Battery Electric Vehicle
● PHEV = Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle
● HYBRID
Data courtesy of Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and Electric Vehicle Council
Click
EVs make up a small slice of new Youi quotes in 2025, but they’re gaining momentum.
ICE Vehicles (Internal Combustion Engine)
21
Hybrid Vehicles
21
Electric Vehicles
21
2019
2022
2025
Clearing up coverage
Australians have a clear perception around EV insurance – over half (56%) say EVs are the most expensive vehicle to insure... but that’s not always the case.
Around 92% of people still own a petrol car.
EVs still have a fair way to go. So, what’s holding us back?
States of charge
Where you live matters
EV confidence isn’t limited to gender – it’s geographical too. NSW residents report the highest levels of confidence and intent to switch, followed by VIC and QLD. From infrastructure to education, your state could be influencing how aware and ready you feel to go electric.
NSW – Leading the charge
26% of NSW residents are likely to consider an EV – the highest intent of all states
50% cite access to charging infrastructure as the top blocker
17% of NSW shows high confidence in an electric future for Australia – the strongest across all states
52% value lower fuel costs, and 22% support EVs positive impact on the environment
QLD – Balancing aspirations and costs
15% of Queenslanders would consider an EV for their next vehicle
56% cite cost as the dominating blocker
12% express high levels of confidence in understanding EVs – the least confident state
22% say the positive impact of EVs on the environment is motivating
VIC – Cost conscious
22% of VIC locals would consider an EV for their next vehicle
58% say purchase cost is their #1 concern – the highest of all states
15% express high levels of EV confidence trailing behind NSW
25% say sustainability would influence their choice to switch to an EV
WA – Eco-friendly and money savvy
16% of WA locals are eyeing an EV for their next vehicle
48% find purchase cost their biggest concern
14% express high levels of EV understanding, just behind VIC locals at 14%, but higher than QLD
24% say the positive impact on the environment is important them
SA – The most EV-informed
25% SA locals would consider switching to an EV
54% say charging times compared to refuelling is their biggest concern
18% of SA locals express a strong understanding of EVs – the highest compared to other states
21% value EVs for their environmental benefits – the lowest of all states
The Confidence Gap
Genders are divided in EV confidence
Men tend to feel more confident about their EV knowledge – 27% say they’d consider an EV, compared to 17% of women. But when it comes down to it, everyone’s worries are the same – cost, availability and charging times.
Availability of EV models
Men are more likely to say they know what’s out there – from makes to models – when it comes to EV options.
Men
23%
Women
13%
Battery range
Range anxiety hits both genders, but men report slightly higher confidence in how far an EV can go.
Men
21%
Women
13%
Insurance and maintenance costs
Both genders share concerns about ongoing EV costs – but men are a little more confident about what to expect.
Men
20%
Women
12%
Government rebates
Awareness of EV incentives is still low overall, though men are more likely to say they know what rebates are available.
Men
16%
Women
7%
EV curiosity is stronger among men, but women aren’t far behind.
27% of men say they’d consider an EV as their next vehicle, compared with 17% of women.
Men
27%
Women
17%
Is cost the tipping point?
77% of women say ‘lower fuel costs’ made them switch to electric, compared to only 44% of men.
Men
44%
Women
77%
What’s holding Aussie drivers back?
With 78% of EV owners showing unshakeable confidence in going electric again, what would change the minds of those still driving petrol or diesel?
Lower fuel costs
51% of Aussies would consider making the switch to electric to cut fuel costs.
Swipe
Drag
Lower maintenance costs
43% would think about going electric if it meant saving on maintenance costs.
Battery range
41% of Aussies say they’d be more likely to go electric if EVs could drive further on a single charge.
Government incentives or rebates
35% of Aussies say government incentives or rebates could be the nudge they need to go electric.
Easy access to public charging stations
32% of Aussies say easier access to public charging stations would make them consider an EV.
Lower insurance premiums
34% of Aussies would consider buying an EV if their insurance premium would be lower than their current one.
Lower fuel costs
51% of Aussies would consider making the switch to electric to cut fuel costs.
Government incentives or rebates
35% of Aussies say government incentives or rebates could be the nudge they need to go electric.
Battery range
41% of Aussies say they’d be more likely to go electric if EVs could drive further on a single charge.
Generations on the Move
Charging towards change
Young Aussies are driving the sustainability agenda. In fact, 63% of Millennials and 58% of Gen Z cite this as an important factor when choosing a new vehicle, compared to only 47% of Gen X Aussies.
Generations face different barriers
While cost is one of the biggest barriers across Australia, Gen Z is more concerned about associated costs like home charging installations (50%), compared to 45% who cite the cost of an EV itself. For all other generations, the upfront cost remains the #1 barrier.
So, who’s likely to plug in next?
Most Gen Z drivers are open but tentative, while Boomers are most resistant.
GEN Z
MILLENNIALS
GEN X
BOOMERS
Overall Likely
Overall Not Likely
Boomers are the most EV-resistant generation.
They cite cost as a top barrier (60%), followed by long charging times (52%).
Boomer Aussies show low confidence when it comes to factors such as insurance costs (8%), access to public charging locations (6%) and resale value (4%). Gen Z Aussies are the most EV confident, especially when it comes to the availability of EV models (29%).
Their biggest blockers are:
Cost
60%
Charging times
52%
Maintenance or servicing
40%
Limited availability
19%
The Real Barrier
Stuck in neutral – Australia's biggest barrier
Australia’s average level of high confidence around EVs is only 15%. So, what do we really know about going electric?
The confidence crisis.
How confident are Aussies about going electric?
Availability of EVs
18%
Battery range
17%
Insurance costs
16%
Repair/maintenance costs
15%
Aussies feel the most confident in their understanding of availability of EVs (18%) and EVs battery range (17%), compared to other aspects like insurance costs (16%) or maintenance/repair costs (15%).
Plugged in or left behind?
22% of Aussies are likely to consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase.
It’s clear Aussies’ interest is growing, but confidence is still developing. Only 7% of Aussies have made the switch to electric, and according to these Aussies, lower fuel costs are the number one factor that influenced their decision to buy an EV (57%). This is followed by lower maintenance costs (48%) and positive impact on the environment (42%).
So, what’s the consensus?
EVs were once the shiny new toy, but now Aussies are hitting the brakes until they know more.
Improving national confidence in EVs, addressing confusion around charging and costs, and overcoming barriers among Boomers could significantly boost Australia's EV purchase intent and uptake.
Key areas of uncertainty include the upfront purchase cost and associated expenses, battery range compared to fuel-powered vehicles, charging times and infrastructure, and how insurance premiums differ.
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The Aussie EV Data Digest
How well do Aussies really understand Electric Vehicles (EVs)? That’s the question Youi put to the test in a nationwide survey of over 1,000 drivers, and the results show that while interest is growing, confidence is lagging.
Nearly three-quarters of Australians say they need more information before they’d feel comfortable buying an EV. In fact, 85% report low levels of confidence when it comes to understanding EVs, and 61% say they’re unlikely to make the switch when purchasing their next car.
So, what’s holding us back?
The confidence gap
There’s a clear disconnect between curiosity and confidence. Only 15% of Aussies say they feel highly confident in understanding key EV aspects. The areas they feel most confident include:
- Battery range – 17%
- Insurance costs – 16%
- Access to public charging stations – 16%
But when it comes to maintenance costs, resale value and repair costs, confidence drops to just 14-15%.
Generational divide
Confidence levels vary significantly across age groups:
- Millennials – 24%
- Gen Z – 22%
- Gen X – 14%
- Boomers – just 6%
And geographically:
- NSW – 17%
- VIC – 15%
- QLD – 12%
What’s pulling the handbrake?
When asked about barriers to EV adoption, Aussies pointed to:
- Upfront purchase cost – 53%
- Cost of installing home charging stations – 48%
- Access to public charging stations – 47%
- Other concerns include:
- Long charging times
- Battery range
- Insurance premiums
- Maintenance and repair costs
But the biggest concern across all generations? Long-term reliability. Between 70-79% of respondents say they’re worried about how EVs will hold up over time, with Boomers the most concerned at 79%, followed by Millennials (66%) and Gen Z (65%).
Knowledge drives intent
Confidence plays a big role in purchase decisions. While only 22% of Aussies overall say they’re likely to consider an EV as their next car, younger generations are leading the charge.
- 32% of Millennials and 27% of Gen Z say they’re likely to consider one
- 20% of Gen X and just 12% of Boomers say the same
State-by-state, NSW leads with 26% of residents open to EVs, followed by VIC (22%) and QLD (15%).
And once Aussies go electric, most don’t look back:
- 78% of EV drivers say they’d buy another
- 39% of hybrid drivers would switch to EV
- 22% of diesel owners and 20% of petrol drivers are open to the idea
What’s driving the switch?
There are clear motivators that could help Aussies make the leap:
- Lower fuel costs – 57% of EV owners made the switch for this reason, and 51% of non-EV owners say it would influence them
- Lower maintenance costs – 58% of EV owners
- Environmental impact – 42%
- Longer driving range – 41%
- Cheaper insurance – 34%
- Breaking it down even further:
- Boomers are most influenced by lower fuel costs (82%) and environmental impact (55%)
- Women are more likely to be swayed by fuel savings (77%) and government rebates (35%) than men (44% and 19%)
- Gen Z value easy access to public charging stations (38%) more than Millennials (29%), but are less influenced by lower insurance premiums (24%) compared to Boomers (38%).
Insurance misconceptions
More than half of Aussies (56%) believe EVs are the most expensive type of vehicle to insure, followed by hybrids (53%), petrol (47%), and diesel (40%).
The perceived driver? Expensive parts and technology, cited by 68% of respondents, far higher than petrol (28%) or diesel (42%).
But the reality is more nuanced. For example, the BYD Sealion 7 ranges from $1,196–$1,931 to insure, comparable to a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which ranges from $1,083–$1,920.
Sustainability matters
Sustainability is a growing priority, with 55% of Aussies saying it’s an important factor in their next vehicle choice:
- 63% of Millennials, 58% of Gen Z
- Less than half of Gen X (47%)
- 56% in QLD, 54% in VIC, and 48% in NSW
The need for more information
Overall, 69% of Aussies say they need more information to feel confident buying an EV — including 65% of men and 74% of women.
And while confidence is low, the market is shifting.
Feelings vs facts
Despite hesitation, EVs are gaining ground. Since 2024:
- EV quotes have grown by 14%
- Hybrid quotes up 13%
- Regular vehicle quotes have declined by 1%
- EV quote share has steadily increased:
- 2019 – 0.22%
- 2022 – 1.43%
- 2025 – 2.78%
But growth is slowing. After peaking at 175% in 2021, EV quote growth dropped to 116% in 2022, 66% in 2023, and just 14% in 2025.
The data paints a clear picture: Aussies are interested, but they’re not yet convinced. Confidence and knowledge are the missing links in Australia’s road to electrification.
How confident are you?
Explore more about EVs at via you.connect.