Australians are becoming increasingly open to electric vehicles, with new research showing a significant rise in the number of motorists considering making the switch.
The latest NRMA Insurance Changing Gears report found that interest in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased from 20% in 2024 to 31% in 2026. Interest in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) has also climbed sharply, rising from 41% to 58% over the same period.
The research, which surveyed around 2,000 Australians, found that only 17% of respondents would not consider purchasing an electric vehicle.
Cost and Choice Driving Interest
The growing interest in EVs comes as Australian motorists face higher fuel prices and ongoing concerns about fuel security. At the same time, a wider selection of electric vehicles and improvements in charging infrastructure are making EV ownership more accessible.
NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch described 2026 as a turning point for EV adoption, pointing to more affordable models, expanding charging networks and government incentives as factors helping electric vehicles move further into the mainstream.
Sales figures are also reflecting this growing interest. During the first half of 2026, EV sales increased by 84.7% year-on-year, while plug-in hybrid sales rose by 82.6%. Other hybrid vehicles also experienced growth, increasing by 6.8%.
What Is Still Holding Drivers Back?
While interest in EVs is growing, concerns about ownership remain.
The most common concerns among those surveyed included battery health and longevity (60%), driving range (56%), charging times (54%) and the risk of battery fires (52%).
Charging access is another significant consideration. Nearly half of respondents who said they would not consider an EV pointed to limited public charging infrastructure, while 35% said they did not have the ability to charge an EV at home.
However, the research suggests confidence is beginning to outweigh some of these concerns. More than half of respondents (54%) said they would consider purchasing a second-hand EV, highlighting the potential for Australia's used EV market to grow as more vehicles enter the market.
Australia’s EV Market Is Changing
The latest research suggests Australians are becoming more comfortable with electric vehicles and increasingly looking at the long-term benefits of making the switch.
With rising fuel costs, greater vehicle choice and continued improvements in charging infrastructure, EVs are becoming a more realistic option for everyday Australian drivers.
As the market continues to develop, the focus may increasingly shift from whether Australians will consider an EV to when they will make the switch.
Source: NRMA Insurance, Changing Gears report.
