The Australian Capital Territory is celebrating a major electric vehicle (EV) milestone, announcing last week that it had registered more than 10,000 electric vehicles.
The Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) has confirmed that ACT has reached 10,000 EVs in the first week of December, with EV numbers increasing from 400 to 10,000 in less than five years.
“Electric vehicles are now an integral part of the Canberra landscape,” said Paul Weber, Head of Advocacy at the ACT branch of AEVA.
“Whereas you used to be able to count the number of electric vehicles you encounter on a trip, now about 1 in 30 are electric, you can count them at the lane lights.”
In fact, according to the AEVA branch in Canberra, about three per cent of all registrants in the Australian Capital Territory are now EVs, and the share of EVs on a monthly basis consistently exceeds 20 per cent, or even 25 per cent – comparable to some European countries.
These numbers have accelerated recently, with new electric vehicle registrations in 2024 growing about eight percent faster than last year, although the growth rate has slowed in the rest of the country.
However, electric vehicle adoption must accelerate faster to meet government emissions targets and reduce transportation emissions.
“AEVA continues to conduct outreach and education sessions for anyone interested in electric vehicles,” Weber said.
“With low operating costs and no air pollution, these products make a lot of sense, but potential buyers appreciate hearing independent answers to their questions before making the switch.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology and electric cars for more than 15 years. He’s been reporting on electric cars and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His favorite mode of transportation is his feet.
