Though MG, BYD, and Polestar are supplying electrical automobiles in a lot smaller numbers than Tesla in Australia, these numbers are rising and these EVs have gotten extra seen. A lot so, in reality, that there are occasions when there aren’t any Teslas at public charging stations however there could be 4 BYD Atto 3s or a few Polestar 2s and a few MG ZS EVs. Or you could even discover a blended bag of EVs that aren’t Teslas.
BYDs charging beneath photo voltaic cover. Photograph courtesy of Ian Porter.
Or, it might simply be that the Teslas are hanging out on the Superchargers across the nook.
I’m not bagging Tesla. I’ve been fortunately driving a Tesla Mannequin 3 for the previous 3 and a half years, and my spouse desires a Mannequin Y once we improve subsequent 12 months and possibly a Cybertruck just a few years after that. I feel it’s nice to see the Australian market maturing and different carmakers providing option to the driving public.
On the wild highways of Queensland, it’s simple to identify the Teslas. The white ones have turn into so widespread that we’ve got began to check with them as tic tacs. I’ve a good friend who says they’re as widespread as cockroaches. We noticed 5 of them dropping our granddaughters off in school this morning.
It’s laborious to identify BYDs, Polestars, or MGs on the street. However, pleasure of joys, there was one within the carpark at Burpengary State Faculty. I had a terrific chat with the driving force. She had admired our Tesla final 12 months whereas ready for her BYD Atto 3 to reach. She advised me that Eagers and EV Direct did a terrific job with the supply expertise.
She has eliminated her “Construct Your Goals” emblem, unsure why and didn’t suppose to ask her. Maybe subsequent time. She mentioned she loves the inside even the banjo strings. “The children like it!” She hasn’t gone on lengthy journeys but and expenses at house on photo voltaic through the day. She has but to attempt high-speed charging.
BYD in-school pickup zone. Photograph courtesy of Majella Waterworth.
I had an analogous chat with one other younger mom outdoors Minimbah State Faculty one other day after I was dropping off my grandson. She additionally had had a terrific expertise coping with Eagers for her BYD. There have been no points. Whereas ready for the automotive to ship to Australia she had been a little bit nervous, however her husband reassured her by exhibiting her the BYD video of nails being shot into the battery. She couldn’t be happier.
One other pleased mum selecting up her youngsters in a BYD EV. Photograph courtesy of Majella Waterworth.
It appears to be like just like the BYD Atto 3 has turn into the EV of selection for varsity mums.
MG drivers who I’ve interviewed for CleanTechnica additionally communicate extremely of their supplier community for help and repair. And Polestar goes the additional mile.
It’s not simply new automobiles. As EVs are bought increasingly more by fleets, inspired by the federal government’s modifications to the Fringe Advantages Tax, we are going to see these automobiles enter the second-hand market. One good friend commented “A used BYD will simply slot in my finances!” and one other: “I dwell within the EV belt of Brisbane and Teslas are in all places. However now, there’s a actual enhance in different manufacturers Polestar, Kia, MG, Hyundai are all rising in numbers. At this time I spied a Volvo XC40 in sage inexperienced!”
Not a Tesla in sight as two MG ZS EVs cost up. Photograph courtesy of Emma Drake.
In 2022, BYD bought 2113 SUVs (after solely being launched in This fall), MG bought 1119 ZS EVs (after a refresh that noticed a 7-month hiatus), and Polestar bought 1524 Polestar 2s. I’d anticipate that 2023 shall be a bumper 12 months for all three fashions, with out the hiccups skilled in 2022. In January 2023, BYD has already bought 267 automobiles, Polestar 164, and the figures should not but accessible for the MG.
A few Polestar 2s having a feed. Photograph courtesy of Darryl Luck.
Many because of the Fb teams that equipped images to be used above: Electrical Automobiles for Australia, BYD Homeowners, MG Homeowners, and the Polestar group. A lot good free recommendation is out there from these pages. I’d encourage new homeowners particularly to affix up.
I’m trying ahead to seeing extra Polestars, BYDs, and MGs within the wild. We have now had just a few of every come to our month-to-month espresso, cake, and EVs mornings on the Bracken Ridge Tavern. You possibly can register at Fb Occasions. Maybe we are going to see you there?
