A few short years ago, whenever the topic of electric vehicles (EVs) came up in customer conversations, the reaction was often one of resistance.
Buyers would wave off the idea with concerns about range, charging access, and the perception that EVs were a "niche product" for the inner city.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has transformed. Thanks to the Federal Government's Electric Car Discount, unprecedented growth in sales, and major enhancements to the national charging network, EVs have secured their place in the mainstream of Australia's automotive market.
EVs filling carpark at one of our clients office.
The electric car discount has been nothing short of a game-changer.
By removing Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on eligible EVs and plug-in hybrids under the luxury car tax threshold, the policy has made novated leasing of EVs dramatically more affordable.
For employees, this means thousands of dollars in annual tax savings, making EV ownership cost-competitive with, and often cheaper than, traditional petrol or diesel vehicles.
This fiscal incentive didn't just make sense on paper, it ignited real behaviour change. For the first time, households and fleets managers could see EVs as a financially viable option, not a luxury option.
The numbers tell the story.
In 2021, EV sales were barely a blip on the national register, with just over 17,000 units sold. By 2023, that figure had exploded to more than 87,000 vehicles. Representing a 161% increase year on year!
In 2024, sales pushed past 114,000 (PHEV + EV combined sales), accounting for nearly 10% of all new vehicles sold in Australia.
Electric Car Discount education at clients office.
That's not just growth, it's market transformation.
What was once a cautious trickle has become a mainstream adoption trend. We are now speaking to customers who are not only open to hearing about EVs but are actively asking about them, often with specific models in mind. The conversation has shifted from "Why would I buy an EV?" to "Which EV is right for me?"
The financial incentive was the spark, but consumer confidence has kept the momentum alive.
Drives who once questions battery range or charging convenience are now reassured by real-world experiences. Whether it's a neighbour's Tesla, a colleague's BYD, or their own test drive.
Importantly, novated leasing has played a crucial role in normalising EV ownership. For many, leasing has been their first step into the EV market, giving them a tax-effective way to trial the technology without the fear of rapid depreciation or resale uncertainty.
Remunerator's electrified our own fleet.
The charging network is connecting Australia.
Infrastructure has always been the elephant in the room.
For years, critics of EVs leaned heavily on the claim that Australia simply wasn't ready to support long-distance driving.
That argument no longer holds.
Today, our roads boast more than 900 public fast-charging sites, with over 2,100 fast and ultra-fast plugs in operation and thousands of slower charging stations in urban and regional areas. State and federal government initiatives, alongside private investment, have rapidly expanded the network.
Our Managing Director charging his EV.
From Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane to Adelaide, and increasingly across regional corridors, drivers can now plan trips with confidence. Ultra-fast chargers capable of adding 300km of range in under 20 minutes are not just an idea, they're a reality on highways nationwide.
Australia is now, quite literally, connected.
Looking at the road ahead.
The success of the Electric Car Discount demonstrates the impact that smart policy can have in accelerating change. We've witnessed a rapid cultural and economic shift in how Australians think about cars.
EVs are no longer "the future", they are here, and they are rapidly becoming the vehicle of choice.
As charging infrastructure continues to grow and battery technology advances, adoption will only accelerate.
Employers and employees alike now see novated leasing as the most cost-effective pathway into EV ownership, and consumer behaviour has never been more open to the electric transition.
Bringing EV demo to clients office.
Australia's automotive market has entered a new chapter. One where electric mobility is accessible, affordable, and connected.
The shift that once seemed unlikely is now stoppable.