Study: Aussies judge an EV's origin more harshly
New findings suggest more than half of Australians worry about where an electric vehicle comes from – not where it was builtThe News
A new study has revealed a car brand’s country of origin matters more to Australians when it comes to buying or considering an electric vehicle (EV), while fewer care about the same when it comes to petrol-powered vehicle.
The Key Details
- 54 per cent say a car’s country of origin matters more when purchasing an EV or hybrid – not where in the world it’s actually built
- An EV’s ‘battery quality and safety’ is biggest concern to drivers
- Meanwhile, 46 per cent say where an ICE (internal combustion engine) is of equal importance
The Finer Details
According to a recent survey by Money.com.au, more than half of Aussie drivers are more concerned about an electric or hybrid vehicle’s country of origin, compared to that of a petrol or diesel.
Finance expert Sean Callery says EV buyers are increasingly using brand origin as a “risk filter,” with competition heating up and debate continuing over whether Chinese-made models can match European and US standards.
“EVs are still relatively new territory, so Aussie car owners are weighing up risks far more consciously than they do with traditional petrol cars,” Callery said.
“With less real-world evidence of an EV’s reliability to base decisions on, drivers are particularly looking at the brand’s country of origin, its reputation, and the engineering standards it’s known for.
“In a market with so many new and unfamiliar players, that distinction really matters.
“It’s important to discern that an EV brand’s country of origin is not necessarily the country where the car is manufactured.
“The difference is that people are placing their trust in the reputation behind the badge, rather than where in the world the car is assembled.”
The study found generational differences, with baby boomers and millennials more likely to say a car brand’s country of origin matters more for EV’s than petrol or diesels, at 57 per cent.
Meanwhile, key concerns around an EV brand’s country of origin included battery quality and safety (35%), reliability and build quality (20%), cyber or data-security risks linked to connected EV technology (17%), brand reputation/resale value and warranty your service network availability (both 11%).
The Road Ahead
As demand for electric vehicles steadies Down Under, Money.com.au says more than half of drivers (52%) surveyed would consider switching to an electrified vehicle in the next five years, with most opting for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) over an EV.
Related: World EV Day 2025: Do Aussies care?
Related: New EVs coming to Australia in 2025
Related: Hybrid, plug-in or electric: What EV suits me best?
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