Australians aren’t so keen on Electric vehicles (EVs). Research by Hertz shows the majority of Australians aren’t willing to purchase an EV outright, but they are keen to try them out first. There’s plenty of reasons to buy an EV. With rising fuel prices, it’s easy to see how an EV would appeal. The global cost of living crisis means any chance to save money is a huge motivator. In its research Hertz showed that most Australians are drawn to EVs to reduce their carbon footprint. Legislative and infrastructure changes in favour of EVs, as well as reduced vehicle maintenance costs associated with going electric also made Australians interested in going electric for their next vehicle purchase.
So, with so much to recommend drivers to electric, why are Australians so reluctant to switch to EV? Most motorist believe in the misconception that EVs are more expensive to run than traditional petrol vehicles. Fears about a lack of fuelling stations make people worry that they’ll run out of power in the middle of their journey. A general lack of understanding and knowledge about electric vehicles makes many Australians wary of EVs. Even though there’s plenty of information out there about how EVs save drivers at the pump, and how the infrastructure for electric vehicles is continuously expanding, people remain reticent when it comes to going electric.
Research at Hertz shows that although Australians aren’t willing to fully commit to buying an EV, they are overwhelmingly open to taking an extended test drive in the form of a rental. Australia is unsure about EVs, but they’re also curious. Hertz showed that most Australians surveyed would like to rent an EV in order to find out how they perform. Hertz is committed to expanding its electric fleet and supporting improved infrastructure for electric vehicles. Now that they’re committed to turning electric, Hertz sees this as the perfect opportunity to spread the word about the advantages of EVs.
Hertz reasons that their focus on EV will help to dispel many of the myths and misnomers that surround electric vehicles. The more people who try EVs, particularly for an expected period, the more they will realise that none of the untruths that haunt the electric vehicle industry are true. When the savings in fuel costs translate to more money in the pocket, drives will quickly warm up to electrically driven driving. Experiencing the ease of recharging will hastily put their minds at ease when it comes to infrastructure. Once they realise there are no drawbacks in terms of infrastructure and recharge costs, the main draw of electrically powered vehicles will win them over. The majority of Australians care about the environment. They care about the impact petrol vehicles have on the world. People are becoming more aware of the carbon neutral status of electric vehicles; driving electric is literally cutting down on emissions. Once drivers realise there are no draw backs to owning an EV, they will be more inclined to choose one over a petrol one. Hertz believes that all it will take to flip drivers from being petrol enthusiasts to electric lovers is simply to drive an EV.
According to Hertz, the number of clients wanting to trial EV cars for their rental vehicle has increased markedly. Hertz thinks this is going to change the way all Australians perceive electric vehicles. If the trend continues and more people use rental vehicles as an opportunity to test drive EVs, Hertz thinks the whole attitude towards EVs in Australia will change. As the word spreads across Australia about how reliable, affordable and environmentally friendly the EV is, the number of people switching to electric will grow exponentially. If you’re thinking of finding out what all the buzz is about, why not rent an electric vehicle for yourself? Once you go electric, you’ll be hooked.
