Is Australia Ready for EVs?

Honda’s Australia boss says Aussies don’t want EVs.

New chief executive, Jay Joseph, is making the rounds on the Murdoch press this week claiming the failing car manufacturer will ignore EVs and go all in on hybrids. While other manufacturers move to align with Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (which will penalise high-emission models), Honda says its strategy is guided not by regulation, but by "what customers want."

But... do consumers really not want EVs?

👉 According to a 2024 survey, 1 in 3 Australians plan to buy an EV in the next 5 years.

👉 EV adoption is forecast to grow 17-18% annually, with projections of a million units sold per year by 2034.

👉 Some analysts expect 50% of new cars sold in 2030 to be electric, aligning with federal climate goals.

The road ahead isn’t entirely smooth, of course. Concerns persist around charging times, battery lifespan, driving range, and infrastructure. Unlike the US or Europe, there’s also no consistent federal incentive to nudge consumers toward EVs.

But to say nobody wants these things is a bit of a stretch. That’s especially true as EV model availability and adoption is growing rapidly. BYD, for example, saw 200% growth in Aussie sales in March 2025 alone.

It’s likely Joseph is having knee-jerk reaction to EV sales slumping the past year in favour of hybrids. Why did this happen? Better availability, value perception, and hybrids aren’t yet penalised under new emission policies.

But that doesn’t mean consumers are turning away from EVs. It just means they’re buying what’s practical for now.

To ignore EVs entirely is short-sighted. Sure, we’re a long way off from mass adoption, but betting against electrification seems like a risky move in 2025.

What do you think? Are Australians ready for EVs, or is hybrid the real answer?