Four Ways Turning to Electric Will Transform Australian Roads Forever
Updated: Nov 29, 2022
Whilst electric vehicles (EVs) have been rapidly growing in popularity across the world, Australia has fallen behind the curve. According to reports, just 2% of cars sold in Australia are electric, compared to rates of 15% and 17% in the UK and Europe respectively.
Though they’re already playing catch up, the government has made its intentions clear to bridge the gap between themselves and the world leaders in the EV market. As such, we can expect to see the number of EVs on Australian roads continuing to grow for the foreseeable future.
But how will this affect the country and the people in it? Here, we explore four ways that greater EV uptake will transform Australia’s roads and communities.
#1. Reduced Air Pollution
One of the core benefits that comes with a rise in EV uptake is the reduction in CO2 emissions from transport, with fewer polluting cars on the roads. When we compare the lifetime emissions of a VW Golf-sized EV with a petrol-powered equivalent, the petrol model will emit 55 tonnes of CO2 more than the EV. The more drivers willing to make the switch, the greater the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately helping to improve air quality across the country.
#2. Reduced Financial Cost of Driving
In the minds of many drivers, the initial cost of an EV is a major barrier to making the switch from petrol/diesel power. And whilst it’s true that you can expect to pay more for an electric-powered vehicle than you would for its petrol counterpart, the long-term savings could help to reduce the costs associated with driving.
It’s important to consider that reduced costs could encourage more drivers to take to the roads, so EVs will have to be used in conjunction with public transport and other methods to prevent over-congestion.
#3. Technology Will Come to the Fore
EVs all rely on state-of-the-art technology to keep them running, and the latest models on the market all feature modern innovations to further enhance the driving experience. Beyond the cars themselves, we can expect road users to lean more heavily on smartphone applications and other digital platforms to help with the day-to-day running of their vehicles. For example, there are apps which can inform drivers of the nearest public charging stations, which will be invaluable particularly when driving in an unfamiliar area.
#4. Public Charge Points Will Become More Prominent
At present, Australia’s infrastructure is unable to support a steep rise in demand for EVs. There are currently just over 3,000 public charging stations in the entire country, and around a third of these are located in NSW. This figure falls well short of many of Australia’s more EV-literate European counterparts, despite the obvious disparities in size. For EVs to truly take over the roads, we will need to see a sharp rise in the number of public charging stations across the country, not just in the most densely populated cities.
Preparing for an electric future
Whilst there is still some way to go before EVs take over traditional cars as the most popular choice amongst Australian drivers, it’s clear that this technology will become increasingly common in the near future. As we’ve explored, this not only has the potential to transform the way we use the roads, but it can also have a significant impact on the environment, supporting the protection of our planet for future generations.