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 actual fact, that there are occasions when there are not any Teslas at public charging stations however there is likely to be 4 BYD Atto 3s or a few Polestar 2s and a few MG ZS EVs. Or chances are you’ll even discover a blended bag of EVs that aren’t Teslas.
BYDs charging underneath photo voltaic cover. Picture 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 needs a Mannequin Y after 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 straightforward to identify the Teslas. The white ones have turn out to be so widespread that we have now began to seek advice from them as tic tacs. I’ve a buddy who says they’re as widespread as cockroaches. We noticed 5 of them dropping our granddaughters off in school this morning.
It’s onerous to identify BYDs, Polestars, or MGs on the highway. However, pleasure of joys, there was one within the carpark at Burpengary State Faculty. I had an incredible 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 an incredible job with the supply expertise.
She has eliminated her “Construct Your Desires” brand, 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 prices at house on photo voltaic in the course of the day. She has but to attempt high-speed charging.
BYD in-school pickup zone. Picture courtesy of Majella Waterworth.
I had the same chat with one other younger mom outdoors Minimbah State Faculty one other day once I was dropping off my grandson. She additionally had had an incredible 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 apprehensive, 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 choosing up her youngsters in a BYD EV. Picture courtesy of Majella Waterworth.
It seems to be just like the BYD Atto 3 has turn out to be the EV of alternative for varsity mums.
MG drivers who I’ve interviewed for CleanTechnica additionally converse extremely of their vendor community for assist and repair. And Polestar goes the additional mile.
It’s not simply new vehicles. As EVs are bought increasingly by fleets, inspired by the federal government’s modifications to the Fringe Advantages Tax, we’ll see these automobiles enter the second-hand market. One buddy commented “A used BYD will simply slot in my price range!” and one other: “I dwell within the EV belt of Brisbane and Teslas are in all places. However now, there’s a actual improve in different manufacturers Polestar, Kia, MG, Hyundai are all rising in numbers. As we speak I spied a Volvo XC40 in sage inexperienced!”
Not a Tesla in sight as two MG ZS EVs cost up. Picture 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 might anticipate that 2023 might be a bumper 12 months for all three fashions, with out the hiccups skilled in 2022. In January 2023, BYD has already bought 267 vehicles, Polestar 164, and the figures aren’t but out there for the MG.
A few Polestar 2s having a feed. Picture courtesy of Darryl Luck.
Many because of the Fb teams that equipped photographs to be used above: Electrical Automobiles for Australia, BYD Homeowners, MG Homeowners, and the Polestar group. A lot good free recommendation is accessible from these pages. I might encourage new house owners particularly to hitch up.
I’m wanting ahead to seeing extra Polestars, BYDs, and MGs within the wild. Now we have had just a few of every come to our month-to-month espresso, cake, and EVs mornings on the Bracken Ridge Tavern. You’ll be able to register at Fb Occasions. Maybe we’ll see you there?
