Electric car drivers pay about $5000 to $10,000 more each year in all-up costs than drivers of equivalent petrol or diesel cars, according to the federal government’s advisory firm on vehicle emissions.
The ABMARC cost comparison puts all-up costs for the battery-powered Nissan Leaf at $14,513 a year, compared with $9211 a year for a standard Toyota Corolla.
The electric BMW i3S costs $19,220 a year, compared with $12,479 for a BMW 118i with a petrol engine.
The figures take into account purchase price, fuel or recharging costs, finance, registration and servicing over a five-year period, travelling 15,000km a year.
The firm said it would take up to a decade for smaller electric vehicles to reach price parity with equivalent petrol or diesel cars, and about eight years to reach parity with comparable medium-sized cars and small SUVs. However, EVs are already close to parity at the luxury end of the market, and are expected to reach parity in the large SUV category within five years.
ABMARC managing director Natalie Roberts posted the analysis on her LinkedIn account as debate raged this week over the future of electric cars.
The firm has previously advised the government that EVs charged on the grid in NSW, Victoria and Queensland have a worse carbon footprint than internal combustion cars because of the prevalence of coal-fired power in those states.
Australian Automobile Association chief executive Michael Bradley said current sales figures showed EVs “are not yet everyone’s cup of tea”.
“People are concerned about battery range, recharging availability and high prices,” he said.
“However, as technologies improve, as more infrastructure is deployed, and as financial incentives are expanded, market penetration will follow.”
Some state car associations are supporting the rollout of roadside charging infrastructure, with the NRMA committing $10 million to the task.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, which represents carmakers, said EVs were likely to reach price parity with petrol or diesel cars within 10 to 15 years because of better technology and economies of scale.
However, this would depend on factors such as the availability of recharging stations, with many people having no garage.
Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has predicted an electric car “revolution”, with one million EVs on Australian roads by 2030. The forecast is based on a 2017 report on Australia’s carbon emissions projections. Mr Frydenberg said the projections were based on existing policies, and did not assume additional government support for EVs.
The electric car industry has called for up to $7000 in state and federal support for EV buyers.
