This is why the country of kangaroos is struggling to switch to electric

When you are interested in the development of the electric car market. Consequently, it is rare for Australia to be quoted as a reference. In addition, And for good reason, the country of kangaroos is far from being the best student in this category of motorization. Consequently, We took the road from Perth to Melbourne (approximately 5. In addition, 000 km), the opportunity to see in our own eyes the gaps in terms of charging infrastructure. Moreover, If Tesla is still at the top of sales. Meanwhile, we can feel that Byd (2nd brand on electric cars) is in ambush. Consequently, We tell you what we saw.

Not enough charging stations?

The Australians have the culture of the roadtrip. Meanwhile, It is undeniably the country of the campsite and the caravan. Furthermore, It must be said that there is something to have fun throughout the Highway 1. Therefore, this 14,500 km route which allows you to go around the territory. For example, An exceptional journey for its landscapes, but which still seems inaccessible to electromobilists. For example, Indeed, the electric car is far from the norm on Australian roads.

But it is not (that) the fault of consumers. Additionally, For example, The problem comes mainly from the lack of charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, Most studies carried out in Australia have also shown that “ The availability of public charging stations was one of the main concerns this why country kangaroos struggling of motorists who were thinking about the purchase of an electric vehicle. For example, just after the purchase price ». For example, The country has only 1,600 fast chargers.

For our adventure from Perth to Melbourne, it is impossible to consider electric. Similarly, Some will say that anything is possible. However, But this time, the idea was neither to achieve an unnecessary record, nor to put himself in difficulty. Nevertheless, Just a family roadtrip. However, The perfect opportunity to take stock of the automotive market in Australia. In addition, It was therefore with a Diesel motorhome, a little ashamed, I must admit, that we took the road.

A majority of 22. Furthermore, 50 kW chargers

When we arrived in Perth, this why country kangaroos struggling the capital of Western Australia, it was rather a good surprise. For example, We spot first electric cars on the roads, there are charging stations and even Tesla supercomputers. We almost start to regret the choice of diesel for our roadtrip. But it is enough to make a few kilometers towards the south to realize that the situation is very. different outside the big cities.

We take the road towards Hamelin Bay, the southwest tip of Australia. A 320 km journey during which we saw a single electric vehicle: a Tesla Model 3. There are some charging stations, some are however being repaired, but not very much exceeding the 50 kW of power. Suffice to say that you have to anticipate before hitting the road. No chargers of 300 kW or more on the horizon.

Some rare Tesla and Byd on the road

And the more we roll, the more things get complicated for electromobilists. Small clarification: the vast majority of roads are limited to 110 km/h. consumption is therefore slightly lower than our French motorways. It is time for us to take the direction of the East. Between Augusta and the city of Albany (415 km), there is only one charging station. Mandatory stop when driving electric! Better not to miss it.

This is roughly the same observation between Albany and Esperance (480 km), with only two available terminals. No electric car has been seen for several days. The last one was a Byd Seal in Margaret River, a very charming small residential town. The entrance to the draw this why country kangaroos struggling is not far away. From there, you have to imagine a 1,250 km desert, where only a few dromedaries, dingos and snakes (on) live.

The impossible crossing of the electric electricity

The last possible recharge must be made in Norseman. Then it will take 650 km and the small village of Mundrabilla to hope to be able to connect in 50 kW. Finally, in theory. The charger was out of service during our visit. You have to be honest, this portion is almost unthinkable by electric car. The scarcity of chargers and their unavailability makes the void crossing very risky for electromobilists.

Between Mundrabilla. Ceduna, the city from which the desert plain officially ends, there are 580 km and a this why country kangaroos struggling single charger in 50 kW in Yalata. It was indicated on the map, but impossible to find it. The only option: enjoy the simple sockets in the few ranches on the road. But you shouldn’t hope for much more than 3.7 kW. To say things differently, a recharge night would not be enough.

Adelaide. first city ” verte »

Once the desert has passed, you still have to travel 780 km to arrive in Adélaide, the first ” big city ». Before that, the charging stations are still very rare. There may be a station every 200/250 km. The closer we get to the capital of South Australia, the more electric cars we meet. Always a lot of Tesla. but there are also a number of Kia Ev6 and EV9, this why country kangaroos struggling BMW i4, Chinese and Polestar.

Read too

Why Australia requires help from electric cars

A city like Adelaide is comparable to major European or American cities in terms of charging infrastructure. No problem to connect. I had the opportunity to chat with several inhabitants of the city who confirm their interest in the electric. But, not surprisingly, they recognize the gaps of their country in the area of recharge. The big pick-up diesel still reigns supreme.

From Adelaide to this why country kangaroos struggling Melbourne. a 730 km journey, there is a little more density and the adventure can be envisaged in electric. Once you arrive at your destination, we make the same observation: a lot of clean cars in circulation. This confirms me in the idea that it is not a question of buyers’ will, but a political problem. Let us not forget that Australia is a country of coal. Finally, it is also a large producer of lithium.

Australia and electric cars

To locate Australia compared to Europe, here are some figures. In all, 91,292 100 % electric vehicles sold in 2024 in the country of kangaroos, on a total market of 1,220,607 cars (7.5 %). It is less than in France (290,611 electricity for 1,718,416 registrations). A score equivalent to that this why country kangaroos struggling of Denmark: 89,199 units, but on a global market of only 173,057 cars.

Remember, however, that there is ” what »27 million inhabitants in Australia. It is therefore a ” petit »Country if we reason in number of inhabitants. And what do you think are the electric cars that seduce Australians the most? Here is the Top 10: Tesla Model Y (21 253), Tesla Model 3 (17.094), MG4 (6 934), byd Seal (6,393), byd atto 3 (5,751), BMW IX1 (2 618), Volvo Ex30 (2,129), byd Dolphin (2,116), BMW i4 (2,062) 785).

Read too

New record: Byd sold more than 4 million electrified cars in 2024

In overall volume, Byd arrives second, behind Tesla. We have seen the breakthrough of the Chinese giant in the big cities crossed during our journey. It’s a safe bet that the Shenzhen firm exceeds its American rival in 2025. The country has in any case a good margin of progression. but unless you put the package on the charging stations, it is difficult to see how the inhabitants of ” gray areas Could take the plunge.