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Origin EV Subscription Passes 2,000 Vehicle Milestone
Origin Energy revealed on Tuesday its electric vehicle subscription service had surpassed 2000 models, and traffic to its website doubled in March.
Origin Energy has passed a sales milestone, with more than 2,000 vehicles delivered, as demand rises amid ongoing fuel cost pressures.
Origin Energy reported increased interest in its subscription offering, with website traffic doubling in March. The company also confirmed that all available second-hand electric vehicles in its fleet have been allocated, pointing to constrained supply alongside rising demand.
The subscription service, launched in March 2023, provides access to electric vehicles through salary packaging arrangements, allowing drivers to use the vehicles without purchasing them outright.
EV Demand on the Rise
The increase in demand reflects broader shifts across the automotive sector. Enquiries for electric vehicles have risen in recent months, while electric cars accounted for 11.8 per cent of new vehicle sales in February, according to data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council.
Government policy remains a key factor for the sector. The federal government is reviewing the Electric Car Tax Discount and considering the introduction of a road user charge as part of the upcoming budget, with potential implications for future uptake.
According to Origin e-mobility general manager Chau Le:
“Demand for EVs has really picked up in response to this fuel security, high fuel price situation."
“The conversations have really highlighted how EVs can provide fuel security for everyday Australians as well as Australia, and highlighted the cost savings.”
Customer Experience Shapes EV Adoption
Consumer experience is also shaping adoption. Victorian driver Patrick Eckel took out an electric vehicle subscription two years ago, selecting a Tesla Model 3 for his 140km commute between the Macedon Ranges and Melbourne.
His family initially questioned whether an electric vehicle would suit longer trips or require additional charging infrastructure but now use it more frequently than their diesel vehicle.
Victorian driver Patrick Eckel said:
“We had an ageing car that kept needing more servicing and we were at the cusp of do we go for internal combustion, or do we give EV a go?”
“If we look at the costs of running the Tesla, it's markedly less than a diesel car.”
As policy settings and consumer confidence continue to evolve, the uptake of subscription-based electric vehicle models looks set to remain in focus across the Australian automotive sector.
Source : The Canberra Times
