Australians are ready to embrace electric vehicles but there is still a lot of work to do according to research carried out by NRMA Insurance.
NRMA Insurance’s latest report Changing Gears: The Future of Battery Safety, Sustainability and Electric Vehicle Repairs is the second in a two part series put together by Ipsos for NRMA insurance and includes a list of recommendations that would assist Australia’s move towards EVs.
According to the study 62 per cent of EV owners are worried about the lack of qualified repairs near them while 90 per cent of EV owners, and those planning on purchasing an EV, says it’s important their insurer can connect them with qualified EV repairers.
But apart from on-road and servicing concerns, the report also delves into environmental issues that are concerning Australian drivers Including EV battery recycling and disposal.
Only 30 per cent were confident their battery would be responsibly reused or recycled while only 31 per cent would be willing to use a recycled battery themselves.
Other suggestions in the report to help bolster EV adoption include annual battery health checks to create a standard while also strengthening the second-hand EV market.
Other ideas included developing a battery supply chain that could also be responsible for recycling and repurposing along with providing specialised training for technicians and first responders.
“For Australians to confidently transition to EVs, it’s essential the entire support infrastructure, from qualified repair professionals to environmentally responsible battery practices, is ready and reliable,” says NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch.
“The shift to EVs is transforming the automotive services industry, and it’s happening at a time when the sector is already under pressure due to a skills shortage.
“EVs are sophisticated, software-driven machines, and while hybrid technology has helped familiarise the industry with high-voltage systems, it’s clear that training must rapidly scale up to keep pace with evolving technology.
“In the future, auto repairs will increasingly be about diagnostics, software updates, and battery management. We need to rethink how we attract and train talent, so there’s a steady pipeline of skilled professionals ready to keep EVs on the road.”
NRMA Insurance’s own repair network and workshops are already changing to meet the needs of EV drivers and incorporate EV-specific equipment for repairs and servicing while providing EV training for all technicians.
This latest report addresses another concern about battery safety with 69 per cent worried about EV’s catching fire.
In fact, EV battery fires are extremely rare with only 707 reported worldwide since 2010 even though there are more than 40 million EVs on the road globally.
The report says more education is needed with more than 60 per cent of Australians willing to be taught how to charge their EV safely and to preserve the battery life
NRMA insurance CEO Ms Batch says the concern comes from misinformation.
“Reports of battery fires often don’t distinguish between the high-quality batteries used in road-registered EVs and the lower-grade batteries found in some e-bikes and e-scooters,” she says.
“Unfortunately, it’s the latter that have caused most of the recent fires and property damage.”
“EVs are an important part of Australia’s shift to a cleaner, more sustainable future – they can cut emissions, improve air quality, and help lower fuel and maintenance costs.
“But with new technology comes new questions, especially around battery safety.
“That’s why it’s so important for drivers to have access to clear, trustworthy information.”
The latest NRMA Insurance report also looks at overseas markets and their EV adoption including Norway where EV’s account for 89 per cent of all new car sales.
This is driven by a combination of government support, tax breaks and a wide and reliable charging network.
But Germany’s EV sales dropped recently after subsidies were removed.
For those on the fence about EVs, the report showed that with the right support they could be converted.
Lower electricity costs and more affordable EVs could change their minds while current owners want more local charging stations.
“Australians are ready to embrace EVs, but they need the right support to make confident choices,” says Ms Batch.
“International examples show how strong policies, infrastructure, and trusted information can drive real change.
“With the right mix, we can help more Australians make the switch and do it in a way that benefits everyone.”
