Australia's transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, with over 72,000 battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles sold in the first half of the year, accounting for about 12% of new car sales. However, this progress remains too slow compared to global leaders like Norway, where EVs represent 98.3% of new cars, and China at 51%.
The Electric Vehicle Council has called for an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, aligning Australia with major trading partners such as the UK and the EU. Transport is projected to become Australia's largest emissions source by 2030, and cutting emissions by 62% to 70% by 2035 under the government's target requires a rapid shift away from combustion engines.
Currently, transport accounts for 22% of Australia's total emissions and is the fastest-growing source. To meet the 2035 emissions target, EVs must comprise at least 50% of new car sales within the next decade. Despite growing momentum, EVs make up only about 2% of the 21.7 million cars on Australian roads.
Several countries have already committed to phasing out new petrol and diesel cars. The UK mandates 80% of new cars be zero-emission by 2030 and 100% by 2035. The EU requires all new cars and vans sold after 2035 to produce zero emissions, with a compromise allowing e-fuels. However, the EU's ban faced opposition from Germany, highlighting the political challenges of such measures.
Federal Minister Chris Bowen has consistently opposed a ban, emphasising reliance on efficiency standards, incentives, and infrastructure instead. He has stated Australia 'cannot wish away fossil fuels' and dismissed earlier proposals to ban combustion engine vehicles. Any ban would likely face pushback from opposition parties, car dealers, and industry lobby groups, while EV makers and charging companies would support it.
Rising EV sales indicate growing community support, but concerns over affordability, model range, and charger reliability persist. A successful ban would require legislation, robust targets for EV uptake and infrastructure expansion, and safeguards to prevent backsliding, including interim targets and flexible review mechanisms.
