Financial Strain on Suburban Families
Polling by RedBridge Group reveals that ending the Electric Car Discount could significantly affect outer suburban, blue-collar, and financially stretched workers in Australia. Conducted in March-April 2026, the survey included 2,269 novated leaseholders, making it the largest of its kind in the country.
Financially stressed families find the EV Discount crucial, with 93% of such households considering it ‘very important’ for their decision to purchase an electric vehicle. Among outer suburban residents, 86% echoed this sentiment, along with 87% of blue-collar workers.
Switching to electric vehicles is primarily motivated by cost savings, as 57% of respondents ranked the Discount as a decisive factor. The survey also shows that 60% of Australians would not have purchased an EV without the Discount, including 72% of financially stretched individuals.
Without the financial support from the Discount, 66% of non-English speaking households and 65% of blue-collar workers indicated they would not have made the switch. This data underscores the Discount’s essential role in facilitating the transition to EVs for diverse communities.
Impact on Vehicle Purchases
Nearly half of the respondents might defer their next vehicle purchase if the EV Discount is removed, affecting the second-hand EV market. Notably, 24% would revert to petrol or diesel vehicles, a figure that rises to 34% among blue-collar workers and 36% among financially stretched families.
Cost-sensitive households would likely return to petrol and diesel, increasing their fuel cost exposure rather than reducing it. This potential shift underscores the Discount’s role in promoting sustainable and cost-effective vehicle choices.
Rohan Martin, CEO of the National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA), highlighted, “The people relying on the EV Discount the most are outer-suburban families, blue-collar workers, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and households under real financial pressure.”
Support for the EV Discount is widespread across political lines, with 91% of respondents agreeing that government financial support is crucial for transitioning to electric vehicles. The top 10 postcodes for EV Discount uptake include outer suburbs like Tarneit, Werribee, and Craigieburn.
Kos Samaras, Director of Strategy and Analytics at RedBridge Group, noted that the findings highlight the critical role of the EV Discount in making electric vehicles affordable for ordinary Australians during a cost-of-living crisis.
Finally, data shows that Coalition and One Nation voters are particularly inclined to switch to electric vehicles due to the EV Discount. This bipartisan support indicates a broad acknowledgment of its benefits across diverse political groups.
Last updated: 24 April 2026, 10:04 am
