January 2022

Australia’s electric vehicle surge is gaining momentum, with sales more than tripling in a year and models like the Tesla Model 3 surpassing long-standing favourites such as the Mazda 3 and Toyota Camry. This shift reflects both consumer enthusiasm and a push for national leadership in clean transport, even as the market remains confusing for some buyers. Governments and private sectors are investing in the infrastructure to support this growth — from hosting fast-charging sites to exploring electric truck adoption to reduce congestion and noise restrictions. Industry developments include Fortescue’s $222 million acquisition of Williams Advanced Engineering to strengthen local EV manufacturing, and South Australia’s milestone of operating for a full week on renewable energy. Safety innovation is advancing too, with new protocols for handling EV battery fires. Yet, while excitement builds around launches like the Cupra Born and new energy technologies such as gravity storage for “green zinc,” experts caution that cheaper EVs may still take time to reach the market.