Australia has more than 40 different car brands offering EVs for sale with the number of new car brands joining the market growing year on year.
Capricorn warns that Australia’s low barriers to entry have enabled some vehicle brands to enter the market without a clear plan for servicing and repair support over the life of the vehicle.
“The risk for consumers isn’t at the point of sale, but when a repair is needed down the track, when parts may not be available, or brands may not be operating in the country anymore,” Capricorn group chief executive officer, Brad Gannon, said.
“This could impact not just servicing but re-sale values.
“Workshops are already reporting vehicles sitting idle for weeks or even months, leaving owners paying finance, insurance, and registration on cars they can’t use.”
While Capricorn Members are upskilling to support consumers through the transition to new vehicle technologies, long–term ownership risks are largely locked in at the point of purchase, meaning informed decision–making is critical.
“What we’re hearing from across the industry is that the issues emerging now will define the next five to ten years of vehicle ownership for many Australians,” Gannon said.
These risks sit alongside uncertainty about the long-term cost of EV ownership, particularly as governments move to replace declining fuel excise revenue with road user charges.
“Fuel excise funds the roads and infrastructure Australians rely on every day,” Gannon said.
“As fuel use declines, the Federal Government is facing a $15billion to $18billion annual revenue gap.
“To put this number into perspective, this is the approximate cost of the entire Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme”.
A road-user charge for EVs is expected, but there is still no clarity on how or when this will be introduced – and what the cost will be for EV users.”
Ultimately, Capricorn members and workshops across Australia are committed to helping consumers navigate the transition to any new vehicle technologies they choose.
However, even the most capable workshop is limited if parts are unavailable, or a manufacturer hasn’t planned properly for long-term support in the Australian market.
Gannon says that is why Capricorn is encouraging consumers to look beyond the sticker price and consider the full ownership journey.