The Electric Vehicle Council is encouraging workplaces to install EV chargers, as a survey of EV drivers indicates that workplace charging transitions from a convenient benefit to an essential amenity the more often workers drive in.
The 2024 EV Ownership Survey, conducted by the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS) at the University of Sydney in collaboration with the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), provides critical insights into EV ownership in Australia.
Drawing on responses from more than 1,500 EV owners across the country, the survey finds:
- Seven in 10 EV owners are employed
- Of those who are employed, three in 10 (29%) have access to workplace charging
- The more often workers commute, the more important charging at work becomes.
Based on these findings, the EVC is calling on political parties ahead of the election to:
- Provide an exemption for workplace charging from the fringe benefits tax, to encourage greater uptake at workplaces; and
- Provide funding to encourage workplaces to install workplace charging.
Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio said employers who provide workers with a place to charge their EV stand to benefit.
“Australia needs more charging infrastructure beyond homes to support the rising number of EV drivers and accelerate further growth. 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,” Ms Delvecchio said.
“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.
"EV workplace charging can make commuting more attractive, keep employees happy, and give employers a competitive edge."
Top tips for workplace charging:
- Research the employees using it: what type of vehicles, how far do they travel and how often
- Plan a phased approach or a complete solution
- Understand the business’ electrical consumption profile and connection capacity
- Research reputable charge point operators in your area
- Support the installation by appointing an EV charging manager.
The EV Ownership Survey has also found:
- SUVs are the most popular electric vehicle type (40%)
- More than three in four respondents say charging an EV costs 60% less than refuelling their previous petrol or diesel car
- The vast majority (92%) of EV owners can charge at home. Four in five (80%) of these households have solar panels, which on average saves them 33% on home charging
- EV drivers living in regional and rural areas clocked up more kilometres within a year (averaging 19,126 km) compared to those living in urban areas (averaging 15,205 km)
- Range anxiety for EV owners is not a barrier to taking a road trip with 500km reported as the average longest journey
- The ACT leads all states and territories on average annual mileage in an EV (17,274 km), followed by WA (16,793 km), Victoria (16,334 km), NSW (15,881 km), Tasmania (15,095 km), Queensland (15,094 km), SA (14,901 km) and the NT (11,696 km).
“What this consumer survey shows is that EV drivers are saving thousands of dollars each year, while also clocking up thousands of kilometres on the road,” Ms Delvecchio said.
“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.
“People living in regional and rural Australia are driving further in their EVs than those living in the inner city. We know Australians living outside metro areas are the biggest adopters of EVs, largely because they benefit the most from cost savings due to longer commutes and greater distances travelled. A battery electric vehicle can save you up to $3,000 annually on fuel and maintenance costs - essential savings during a cost-of-living crisis.
“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.”
These survey findings provide essential data for policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers. Future research aims to track trends over time, examining seasonal variations, infrastructure needs, and evolving consumer attitudes.
Media contact: Sofie Wainwright 0403 920 301