Auto industry reports uplift in EV enquiries
Interest in electric vehicles is surging in Australia, as manufacturers witness a ‘perfect storm’ of record petrol prices, the effects of the New Vehicle Efficiency Scheme (NVES) and a more competitive electric market.
Czech brand Skoda says EV enquiries via its direct channels have doubled over the past week, as the conflict in the Middle East continues to drive petrol prices towards $3 per litre. The report comes on the heels of data that shows The NRMA is also witnessing an uptick in EV charger use and website searches.
“The timing to buy an EV is actually pretty perfect right now,” Skoda Australia managing director Lucie Kuhn said at the launch of the updated Skoda Elroq and Enyaq. “The segment has started developing in the past two years, the conflict of course means that more people are starting to properly consider an electric vehicle.
“We have good availability but so do many others, so the selection in the market is wider and the customer has a lot of choice. The timing is pretty good.”
So strong is the immediate EV outlook that Skoda Australia has adjusted its order bank to capitalise on the uplift in demand. Volkswagen-owned Skoda currently offers three pure electric vehicles – the Elroq, the Enyaq and Enyaq RS – with another two due in the next 18 months (the Epiq small SUV and Peaq large SUV).
“That will give us five electric cars out of a model line-up of 11, so about 40 per cent fully electric,” Kuhn explained. “That develops expectations on the order bank.”
Market research reflects jump in EV interest
Skoda isn’t alone. Several research firms have reported strong EV interest over the past week, as more Aussies reconsider the best energy source for their household car.
A study conducted by Primara Research this month reported 25 per cent of Aussie motorists are looking at purchasing an electric vehicle, compared at 7 per cent before the Middle East conflict began. A survey by the same firm found that just over 70 per cent of Australians rated petrol and fuel supply as their greatest concern resulting from war.
Consumer group Compare the Market’s latest survey found 54 per cent of Australians were considering switching to an electrified vehicle of some description (including 22.5 per cent considering a petrol-electric hybrid).
Car dealers echo EV interest uplift
James Voortman, chief executive of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association, said dealers were also witnessing a strong uplift in EV enquiries.
“Clearly, current higher petrol and diesel prices and the perception that future oil shocks could occur will resonate with those consumers who may have previously been sitting on the fence in relation to purchasing an EV,” Voortman told the Australian Financial Review.
While the uptake in EV sales comes from a relatively small but growing base, the segment is becoming increasingly important to manufacturers – especially as they combat increasingly stricter penalties derived from the NVES.
For Skoda, electric vehicle sales currently comprise about 20 per cent of their annual sales - a number that is expected to grow to 30 per cent this year.
However, EV advocates have warned that electric vehicle uptake will slow if the government turns its back on current incentives, including FBT exemption for electric vehicles. Those incentives are currently under review.
“What we see is dealer reported enquiries but also customers coming through our channels, and we’ve seen a significant uplift on that,” added Skoda Australia marketing manager Kieran Merrigan.
“Whether these numbers translate to orders or sales [is yet to be seen], but no doubt, in terms of interest there’s a definitely an uplift.
Electric cars represented 11.8 per cent of new car purchases in February, according to the Electric Vehicle Council and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries figures. This was a record for the Australian market, and a 5.9 per cent jump compared with the equivalent month in 2025.
