Rising fuel prices and ongoing cost-of-living pressures are changing how Australians think about electric vehicles.
To better understand how attitudes towards EVs are evolving, we’ve been conducting yearly studies over the last few years, surveying more than 2,000 Australians and comparing the findings against previous years.
Cost has overtaken climate as the leading motivator
For Australians considering an EV:
- 51% cite fuel savings as a key reason
- 38% point to environmental benefits
Compared to previous waves, environmental motivations have softened as Australians become increasingly focused on financial practicality.
Rising petrol prices are lifting EV interest
EV consideration increased from 32% to 42% in March 2026. Fuel price volatility is accelerating interest in EVs as Australians look for ways to reduce long-term transport costs.
Barriers remain, but are easing
The biggest barriers to EV adoption continue to be:
- Upfront cost (28%)
- Charging access (26%)
- Range anxiety (22%)
However, concerns around cost, charging and range anxiety have all declined as observed in subsequent studies, suggesting consumer confidence is gradually improving.
The infographic below represents key findings from our research:
Based on a nationally representative Pureprofile AU Wave 3 survey (Feb 2026, n=2,008), compared with Wave 1 (Aug 2023, n=2,003) and Wave 2 (Mar 2024, n=2,001), with a March 2026 booster (n=208).
