Should I Buy an EV Now or Wait Later

yangguchunyang7612 on 09/01/2026 - 09:18

I'm a family of two kids. We have a new 7-seater at home, plus a smaller 5-seater from 2018. I've been thinking about replacing the 5-seater with an EV, but the development of electric cars is just happening so fast. Both the features and the batteries improve a lot every year, and more and more EV brands are coming to Australia, which means there are more and more choices.

At the same time, changing cars isn't really a necessity for me, so I've been sitting on the fence for over a year now and still haven't made a move. I feel quite torn about it.

Automotive Electric Vehicle

Comments

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  • MS Paint on 09/01/2026 - 09:20
    +28

    Add a pole poll

  • pegaxs on 09/01/2026 - 09:28
    +22

    features and the batteries improve a lot every year, and more and more EV brands are coming to Australia
    changing cars isn't really a necessity for me,

    Well then, you have your answer… If your current car is doing the job and you can afford to wait, then just wait. Solid state batteries are the next biggest step in EV's, so maybe wait until there is a bigger uptake in this technology.

    • GordonD on 09/01/2026 - 09:47
      +14

      Solid state batteries are the next biggest step in EV

      They keep saying that. But when you ask how big a step they will be you get answers around 7%.

      The fact is ICEs even at the end of their era are still very inefficient, so when there was pressure to improve there was a lot of headroom, to improve into. Whereas electric motors and controllers are already mature and efficient so there isn't. The only part of an EV that there's room for improvement is the batteries, and as yet no-one has come up with anything that is better than lithium. Solid state lithium batteries aren't smaller. They aren't lighter. And they certainly aren't cheaper. Anyone expecting or predicting significant improvements are kidding themselves.

      The improvements in EVs we have seen in price are because of China. And even the Chinese can't defy capitalism forever, keep cutting prices to keep production volume up, and sell them for less than they cost to make.

      • Euphemistic on 09/01/2026 - 10:19
        +11

        Solid state lithium batteries aren't smaller. They aren't lighter. And they certainly aren't cheaper.

        Solid state will be more energt dense. So battery packs will either be smaller and lighter (a good thing) or provide more range and faster charging rates (arguably pointless for a city runabout charged every night).

        Battery prices have fallen dramatically in the last few years. Its possible weve reached a point where they will stabilise. Solid state batteries will be probably come down to a level equivalent to cureent Li battery lrices on a $/kwh basis.

        • GordonD on 09/01/2026 - 10:31
          +1

          Yes, yes, yes, solid state lithium batters will be better.

          But, as I say, ask the experts about how much better, and its not 4 times better, or two times better, or even 50% better. Its a single digit percentage better,

          • Euphemistic on 09/01/2026 - 10:47
            +3

            @GordonD: I think the biggest improvement with SS batteires will be the reduction in fire risk. The rest, as you say, is incremental. But thats what happens with moat technology. Big initial leap then lots of little improvements. In this case the leap from petrol to sparks.

          • gromit on 09/01/2026 - 21:15
            +6

            @GordonD: If the first Solid state motorbike is anything to go by then the improvement is massive. Cars can expect 800 -1000km which is a huge step up

            • Euphemistic on 10/01/2026 - 05:08
              +1

              @gromit: 1000km of range is ridiculous. noone needs to be able to drive 1000km without stopping. Its just adding extra weight to already heavy cars.

              600km is probably the most anyone would ever need. If they have faster charging, thats awesome, but the manufacturers range arms race is just dumb.

              • gromit on 10/01/2026 - 09:01
                +5

                @Euphemistic: It may be excessive but it will solve one of the current core problems which is driver range anxiety as well as queues on public holidays for chargers while travelling. remembering this is not going to add significant weight as one of the core benefits with solid state is energy density.

                • klaw81 on 10/01/2026 - 10:15

                  @gromit: A solid state battery with that much capacity will be extremely expensive in the foreseeable future, making such vehicles unaffordable.

                  The primary goal for solid state batteries in EVs is:

                  1. To offer 550-650km of range (roughly equivalent to regular ICE vehicles) in a physically smaller and lighter package in a "long range" version; and

                  2. To offer a standard range version with 400km range (which is still plenty for most people) that has an even smaller, lighter and much more affordable battery pack.

                  Range anxiety is a malady primarily suffered by people who don't drive EVs - although there is a small number of people who genuinely need that kind of range.

                  1000km range vehicles will be reserved for large vehicles for towing, and will be very expensive.

                  • gromit on 10/01/2026 - 13:41
                    +1

                    @klaw81: The reality is these batteries will be in cars next year. They are not extremely expensive at all, they are expected to be similarly priced. Range anxiety is suffered by practically everyone I know that drives an EV when travelling. I guess we will wait and see but I would expect the 800-1000km variants of many vehicles to become available.

                    PS: the first solid state car to be released will likely be the EQS with a range of 1000km, others arre also boasting similar range in testing

                    • changyang1230 on 10/01/2026 - 14:05
                      +2

                      @gromit:

                      The reality is these batteries will be in cars next year

                      Do you have source that supports that?

                      I see exuberant claims like this all the time but the commercial restraint always drags out the practical timeline a lot.

                      • gromit on 10/01/2026 - 14:07

                        @changyang1230: only the manufacturers statements like from Toyota and Mercedes. Sure they could be lieing.

                    • trongy on 11/01/2026 - 10:59

                      @gromit: Mercedes claim their test vehicle fitted with solid state batteries achieved a 25% improved usable energy with equivalent size and weight [on their own website]https://group.mercedes-benz.com/innovations/drive-systems/electric/eqs-solid-state-battery.html).

                      They have also said they expect solid state batteries to begin mass production around 2030, with only small numbers of high end vehicles having solid state batteries before then.

                • Euphemistic on 10/01/2026 - 11:31

                  @gromit:

                  one of the current core problems which is driver range anxiety as well as queues on public holidays for chargers while travelling.

                  But we dont need more range to solve that problem. More chargers, and more aware drivers. It means a change in mindset of drive to empty then fill up 'whereever'. Change mindset to getting 10-15min charge when you want to stop to rather than drive til empty and fill to full.

                  Where we do want massive batteires is for tow vehicles. We dont need a regular sedannwith 1000km range.

              • HelpMeiCantSee on 10/01/2026 - 22:03
                +1

                @Euphemistic: I disagree. I often do 1000-1300km without stops. If I do stop, it’s 30 seconds for a wee, max 5 mins if I’m travelling with kids.

                • Euphemistic on 10/01/2026 - 22:45
                  +3

                  @HelpMeiCantSee: So you'd be complaining about 1000km range not being enough?

                  There are always outliers in a group. You are most certainly an outlier. The vast majority of drivers do not do that. Stopping for 20-30minutes every 4 hours would be far more common - let alone those that never actually travel further than about 4hours.

                  • HelpMeiCantSee on 10/01/2026 - 23:47
                    +1

                    @Euphemistic: To be clear, I’m not anti EV, however dismissing horses for courses and insisting one is foolish not to go an EV is poor form in my opinion. If I bought an EV, I could manage on 1000km, however it’d still annoy me that for the slightly longer drive I’d be forced to stop. It’ll happen one day

                    It’s why I have a long range tank in my current vehicle. If EV’s had an “long range” additional battery option, that’d satisfy my needs too. (I mean for example Std range is 800km, long range addition gives 13/14/1500km). I could live with 600km range and 10 minute charges to full but I don’t think tech is there yet?

                    Towing is also a big issue- 4-500 km would be a realistic minimum I would expect.

                    I’m aware I’m an outlier- however, I am contesting “nobody needs”. Because of my needs and extensive travel I do, I choose to have two cars- a town car and my trip car.

                    I suspect my next town car will be an EV (size of a model x, 500+km range, can tow if needed, preferably up to 7 seater, but I guess I could give that up even though I end up with 5 kids pretty often). I have no doubt it’ll get there, but right now I’m not sure something like that exists, or if it does it’ll be hella expensive.

                    I’m sure not many people have driven nsw coast to Eucla with only a fuel stop, but I’m an odd creature. I could go back to one vehicle if I found one that ticked the boxes lol. Would love to soak up my excess solar as well.

                    • Euphemistic on 11/01/2026 - 06:17
                      -2

                      @HelpMeiCantSee: So you modified your vehicle to suit your outlier needs? Manufacturers are not likely to cater to your extreme use case. Its just not worth their effort.

                      Even making 1000km range is pretty dumb. Literally adding weight to a car for no good reason - other than placating range anxiety in people who will probably never need half that range. Every kg costs efficiency, and not ling from now we will be reverting to efficiency rather than range as the metric of choice.

                      Once people work out that range actually isnt a big concern for their driving practices, and they get used to EVs, they will want to lower their power bills using more efficient vehicles - just like picking more fuel efficient vehicles now.

                      • HelpMeiCantSee on 11/01/2026 - 16:48
                        +1

                        @Euphemistic: I opted for the larger second tank at purchase.

                        This is Australia. Obviously you live in Sydney or Melbourne, because clearly you don’t understand that 1000km is stuff all in this country.

                        1000km with recharges sub 15min will satiate the market who wants range, regardless if you think it’s dumb.

                        300km range is what’s dumb. Can’t even get from Gunnedah to Newcastle with that- assuming perfect conditions. Likely be half of that real world.

                • NMC on 11/01/2026 - 00:17
                  +8

                  @HelpMeiCantSee: Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of road trauma. The recommendation is to take a break every two hours. Driving 1000-1300km without breaks is incredibly dangerous, you're not only putting the occupants of your own vehicle at risk, but other road users.

                  • SlickMick on 11/01/2026 - 17:19

                    @NMC: There's a difference to taking a break and finding a charge station and waiting for a battery to charge.

                    • taggis on 11/01/2026 - 21:51
                      +2

                      @SlickMick: Not in terms of time if you use a Tesla Supercharger…

                      And if you're driving 1,000km, or "30,000"km without a "break", please realise that you are the reason the rest of us pay so much for car insurance.

                      Best of luck for the future.

                      And also best of luck to the family of the car(s) you hit when you inevitably have a micro-sleep at the wheel one day…

                • Lt Frank Drebin on 11/01/2026 - 09:09

                  @HelpMeiCantSee: Bullshit you do.

                  • SlickMick on 11/01/2026 - 17:21
                    -4

                    @Lt Frank Drebin: If I have 2 drivers I do 30,000km without a break.

                    Unless you call refueling a break, in which case I have lots of breaks… but not long enough to charge an EV.

              • SlickMick on 11/01/2026 - 17:13
                -2

                @Euphemistic: Having a vehicle that can only travel 1000km before a significant break seems ridiculous to me. We need vast improvements in recharging capability before before I'd consider an EV with a 600km range.

                • Euphemistic on 11/01/2026 - 19:21

                  @SlickMick: Just depends on what you consider a significant break. Have a friend whos preferred travel in her tesla is to stop twice for a 10min charge (and comfort stop) on her regular long trip rather than draining the battery to near zero and having to spend a lot longer charging once.

                  My last hunter to brisbane trip was possible without refuelling, but we stopped 2 or 3x for leg stretch, food and ameniies, lunch was the longest. In an EV, fast charging at those stops would have added a fair bit of range with virtually no time penalty to the trip.

                  • SlickMick on 11/01/2026 - 19:33
                    -2

                    @Euphemistic: If that's where you were intending to stop.

                    I did the calcs and it seemed theoretically possible to do my regular trips with a vehicle with 600km range, but would require rerouting, take hours longer, require stopping when the car wants to, rather than when the driver wants to.
                    Basically I wouldn't consider it even if they were giving EVs away.

                    It might be convenient for some, but for others you'd have to have quite a reason for wanting to go electric, to justify the inconvenience.

                    I think there are a lot of outliers, but ev fanatics seem to figure that it's good for them so it should be good for everyone.

                    • Euphemistic on 11/01/2026 - 20:34
                      +1

                      @SlickMick:

                      require stopping when the car wants to, rather than when the driver wants to.

                      The driver can charge when they choose, to some extent. Ever filled a fuel tank at 1/2 because you want lunch now and dont want to stop 50km from home? Similar with EVs. You can put 10min charge in at 50% remaining while you get a coffee. Just because 'the car says' doesnt mean thats what you have to do.

                      I get it, long trips and EVs arent ideal for everyone. charge sites are expanding rapidly and it will get easier to puck when and where to charge.

                      My whole point was that most people have an ICE mindset where they drive til empty then splash and dash. While an EV can be charging while you have lunch/toilet/strech (yes, pending chargers at your stops) and you dont always fill from empty to full at every charge stop. PLUS most drivers really dont travel more than 5 hours any more than once in a blue moon. Making battery packs big enough for once a year travel is a waste for the other 51 weeks where youre doing 50km per day.

                    • taggis on 11/01/2026 - 22:35
                      +5

                      @SlickMick: I also did the calcs, and if you are only stopping when "the driver wants to" and not regularly every 2-3 hours on a long trip, you are officially driving "drunk" because of fatigue.

                      1000km distance = 10 hours without a break, assuming 100km/h average on the highway.

                      From Google:
                      "Driving for 10 hours without a rest is highly dangerous, and the resulting impairment has been compared to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of approximately 0.05% or higher, which is over the legal limit for most drivers in Australia."

                      Again, please think of others before trying to "prove" you can drive very long distances without a break…

                      • gromit on 12/01/2026 - 12:12
                        -2

                        @taggis: for the vast majority this is true, however there are people that are basically unaffected by it as they are so used to long distance travelling. My Parents would do 2500+km a week for best part of 40 years and that was a standard working week for them. My mother is 84 now and still will drive all the way to the gold coast with maybe 2 short refueling/snack stops and for her that is just over 1200km, she will also do 400km each way to sydney several times a month without a stop. On the opposite end of the scale she had an employee that needed to stop for a rest break halfway between her house and shop (just over 100km). myself I will generally stop for a short break every 4 hours or so.

                        • Euphemistic on 12/01/2026 - 14:38
                          +2

                          @gromit: At 84, your mum really should be taking more breaks when driving. You should encourage her to take breaks too. She might be fit as a fiddle and has all her senses intact, but there is no way she still has the same reaction times as a decade ago. She may not realise her fatigue level until its too late, and we all know how that could end.

                          My folks used to regularly do 4-5hr trips non stop. Nowadays they are retired and still do those 4-5hr trips but plan accordingly and take a break along the way. They have more time, so use more time. Whats the rush?. As a result theyre not as tired upon arrival - and obciously less tired on the drive too.

                          • gromit on 12/01/2026 - 16:15

                            @Euphemistic: I do encourage her to take more breaks and compared to when she was working she is taking a LOT more breaks. her reaction time is definitely worse than it was, but that applies whether she has been on the road 5 mins or 5 hours and as mentioned not everyone experiences significant fatigue from driving to the same levels. Though yes the recommended safe level is a break every 2 hours. But you will find professional drivers like Truck drivers can be as much as 5 hours without a break.

                      • banana365 on 12/01/2026 - 14:54
                        -1

                        @taggis: Please look at where Google is sourcing that information and go there rather than just saying "from Google". Given AI hallucinations, they are not to be trusted. The figures you give may be accurate (and look along the lines of what I'd expect, which in itself is a risk as you could just be going with results that confirm your expectations) but a reputable source gives more weight than "from Google".

        • boretentsu on 13/01/2026 - 13:26

          From what I've seen/heard they are smaller/lighter and degrade much slower than current batteries. If they already have a much more reliable motor than an ICE vehicle, I have genuine questions around what the end game is from the perspective of a capitalist.

          Will they become consumer disposable devices like phones or will they just make them worse over time so people have to buy a new one every X years?

          • Euphemistic on 13/01/2026 - 15:39
            +1

            @boretentsu: Cars are not quite built as disposable as other items. Its not uncommon for a car to have half a dozen owners before the scrapyard. We expect them to last a long time at present, but they still make newer, flashier models to keep us buying the latest and greatest.

            Theyve still got millions of cars to change over to EV. Theres plenty of market for the next 10-15years.

            Many people upgrade a car because maintenance costs start to rise. Doesnt mean that the next owner wont mind fixing sone stuff - or living with minor faults. Its what we do now. Average age of a car is north of 10years. Its not likely to change. An almost dead battery might still be good for a short commute, even if the seats are worn and the back windows wont go down. Same way old cars still keep going, but you might not want to risk an interstate trip just in case.

  • mskeggs on 09/01/2026 - 09:29
    +8

    Assuming you don't drive massive kilometres in the second vehicle, almost certainly the more economical and environmental choice would be to keep your existing vehicle till it requires replacement.

    You haven't said why you are torn about this decision, so we are just guessing.

    • Zephyrus on 09/01/2026 - 15:49
      +1

      The first vehicle before the second and the ev becomes first

    • Universal Constant on 10/01/2026 - 13:06

      100% spot on. Every time you buy and sell there is a cost, in some cases the cost is quite large. As the vehicle gets older maintenance cost rise so there becomes a point where the maintenance costs might exceed the changeover costs. Also a new vehicle drops a bundle when you first drive it out of the dealer.

  • JIMB0 on 09/01/2026 - 09:32
    +12

    Just wait, everything goes full circle eventually and we'll be back on the horse before you know it. Then you can recharge simply by letting your horse out in the front yard of your house.

    • MS Paint on 09/01/2026 - 09:41
      +4

      Horses make scents. Cheers

      • Murkymerv on 09/01/2026 - 12:49
        -6

        Hold on , the greenies will be up in arms about horse shit 💯 . Sorry we're trying to save the planet with wind mills and solar panels ⁉️

        • shaybisc on 10/01/2026 - 07:16
          +6

          "The Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894

          By the late 1800s, large cities all around the world were drowning in horse manure. The London Times predicted in 1894 that in 50 years time, every street in London would be buried under nine feet of manure."

          https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Great…

          • s1Lence on 10/01/2026 - 13:03

            @shaybisc: this is why im thinking of inventing horse toilets, gotta stay ahead of the curve

  • Wiadro on 09/01/2026 - 09:35
    +10

    smaller 5-seater from 2018

    What is wrong with it?
    if theres nothing wrong with it, youre just throwing money away.

    • larndis on 10/01/2026 - 09:03
      -5

      What about petrol savings?

      • Wiadro on 10/01/2026 - 09:39
        +7

        What savings? They are off set with the purchase price.

        • larndis on 10/01/2026 - 10:09
          -2

          Well if the savings offset the purchase price, you aren't really throwing money away?

          • Wiadro on 10/01/2026 - 10:14
            +2

            @larndis: You don’t know how money works do you?

            • larndis on 10/01/2026 - 10:27
              -1

              @Wiadro: Absolutely no money problems here, thanks for your concern. You seem incredibly adept at making unfounded assumptions, I hope you find that a useful skill.

      • 2esc on 10/01/2026 - 09:41
        +6

        We dont know how many kilometres his doing are the trips regional etc. Without more information the so called fuel savings may not add up and doubful either way because of the purchase price.

        My neighbour a couple years ago bought a ev but has now gone to a hybrid because the ev was costing her time and money with the long distance rural driving she does as a salesperson. In her particular case lost time charging, waiting for a vacant charging station and out of order charging points were costing her time usually it was only 1 to 3 hours of lost time per week but a few months ago a week away in western Victoria and eastern South Australia she says she lost 12 hours that week due to a combination of charging related problems.

        Time is money and its also time away from family.

        You have to really do your sums for your particular circumstances and not just assume there will be savings.

    • taggis on 11/01/2026 - 22:04
      +2

      That is not necessarily true, especially if the OP has access to a novated lease through work and is in a high tax bracket in their regular role.

      The Australian Government reduced FBT to 0% for EVs taken on Novated Leases.

      So the tax savings (and ultimate cost benefits) of taking an EV on a Novated Lease over an ICE vehicle can be significant, depending on your salary and your employer.

  • knitwear on 09/01/2026 - 09:40
    +14

    The question you need to answer is - why do you feel the need to change cars.

    • Wiadro on 09/01/2026 - 09:45
      +11

      to keep up with the joneses obviously

      • Mesos on 09/01/2026 - 10:03
        +1

        and you know that how?

        • Wiadro on 09/01/2026 - 10:11
          +3

          its what everyone does when they 2+ SUV's
          No one needs 2 SUVs in the first place, but I'm sure OP's neighbours have an EV or 2, so OP has to fit in.

          • Mesos on 09/01/2026 - 14:11

            @Wiadro: you sound jealous

            • Wiadro on 09/01/2026 - 16:30
              +3

              @Mesos: me jealous?
              i have old cars, they run perfecly fine and i enjoy driving them.

        • 2esc on 10/01/2026 - 10:09
          +2

          Why would you need to upgrade a perfectly good car?

          Thats your answer.

          • Mesos on 10/01/2026 - 10:49

            @2esc: I swap every 2-5 years brand new car, last one only did 30k

            • Eeples on 10/01/2026 - 21:33

              @Mesos: Why have you been upgrading perfectly good cars?

              • tenpercent on 10/01/2026 - 21:37
                +1

                @Eeples: Perhaps it's a form of charitable giving… they can give more sensible people an opportunity to nab a bargain?

              • Mesos on 11/01/2026 - 07:41
                -1

                @Eeples: Business, don't like keeping out of warranty, get sick go them lol, last one was a dual cab didn't like it.
                Went back to a SUV. Although this one has 10 year warranty.

    • MS Paint on 09/01/2026 - 10:13
      +1

      Sick of feeling torn.

      • Nugs on 10/01/2026 - 09:21
        +5

        Nothing's fine, I'm torn
        .

        • Matt P on 10/01/2026 - 19:19

          I'm all out of faith. This is how i feel

          • tenpercent on 10/01/2026 - 21:40

            @Matt P: I'm cold bloody hot and I'm awake lying naked on the floor

    • serpserpserp on 09/01/2026 - 15:25
      +1

      Because you always gotta buy new cars

  • payless69 on 09/01/2026 - 09:42
    -3

    As Bibi quotes:

    Never is NOW!

  • oscargamer on 09/01/2026 - 09:56
    +10

    It all depends on your use and can you charge at home.

    For me, I drive 3 days a week, 100km per day for those 3 days. And monthly I go on a weekend away. Maybe 500km round trip.

    I charge in my garage on a trickle charger every night and very very rarely use a public charger.

    Cost per km is about 20% of my previous petrol car. Servicing is also less, in my case.

    An EV works very well for me.

    I also have it on Novated Lease, which again, works very well for EV's.

    YMMV, literally

    • taggis on 11/01/2026 - 22:07

      This. 👍

  • RockyRaccoon on 09/01/2026 - 10:08
    -3

    Change now, without needing to. - Hand in ozbargain badge

    EV's price drops not yet stabilised. With more models/manufacturers on way means loss of value if buying now.

    Of course if essential to be replaced, thats different.

    Issues with a non essential EV purchase now. Some environmental, some economic

    Later technology coming. - But thats with varying degrees with all vehicles.
    Newer brands entering - price competition increases, better deals possible.
    Reliablity info on brands becomes more apparent with historical data
    Some brands may find cost of business to high and exit.
    Resale - a factor in whole of life drops on certain brands when they exit, or are found to be unreliable.
    Resale - also impacted if newer models continue to be reduced in price. You paid more and now get less

    As others also noted, saving the planet from fossil fuel, is offset, by more complex equations.

    One example, The energy used to drive maybe from renewables, but was initial product made totally from renewable energy sources.

    • klaw81 on 09/01/2026 - 14:26
      +4

      One example, The energy used to drive maybe from renewables, but was initial product made totally from renewable energy sources.

      This is poor logic and it needs to be called out. Manufacturing a car is a once-off cost, in both energy and emissions. The energy and emissions associated with ~20 years of operation are orders of magnitude more significant.

      The overall energy use over the entire lifetime of the product is the only thing that really matters. There are multitudes of exhaustive studies showing that EVs represent a clear net improvement in emissions and energy usage over an equivalent ICE after only 2-4 years, depending on the source of electricty used to power the EV

      Pretending that you can make some kind of moral choice by avoiding EVs, on the basis that they're not (yet) entirely manufactured with renewable energy, is a classic case of making perfect the enemy of the good - especially when the alternative is simply choosing to keep burning fossil fuels.

      • CoreArchitect on 10/01/2026 - 09:27
        -1

        Calling out logical fallacies with you own.

        Please cortect you 'orders of magnitude' statement. It's not 10x more efficient to operate an EV over its manufacturing cost. Even if it is significantly more efficient than ICE.

        As many have already said, it would be orders of magnitude more effective for the OP to not replace their current ICE vehicle.

        • klaw81 on 10/01/2026 - 10:42
          +2

          Please cortect you 'orders of magnitude' statement. It's not 10x more efficient to operate an EV over its manufacturing cost. Even if it is significantly more efficient than ICE.

          Perhaps it's only a single order of magnitude - but the point remains.

          A typical ICE SUV will emit almost 50t of COe emissions over a 15 years of operation. A typical SUV EV, charged from a 50% renewable grid (Australia is approaching that now, and it's only going to get higher) will only have about 6t of COe emissions over the same time period. When charged from solar 90% of the time, which is something that's quckly gaining in popularity, it's less than 1t over 15 years.

          When you add in the enormous amount of energy and emissions asssociated with oil extraction, refining and transport to the point of use, this easily adds another 20% depending on the oil source. The energy used just to refine 4L of petrol from oil could propel an EV 40-50km. In constrast, transmission losses associated with electricity generation and distribution are extremely low, especially due to the rise of solar self-generation and self-storage in Australian households.

          Manufacturing emissions for EVs is typically 50-60% higher, but the manufacting numbers are pretty low anyway, and inconsequential in comparison.

  • Bignudge on 09/01/2026 - 10:11
    +5

    I am looking to buy the 2025 Model Y long range in about 3-4 years at ~$40K with ~60,000KM on the clock.

    It's always best to buy 2nd handed at ~4 years old with low KMs and still factory warranty. Don't eat the initial depreciation pls

    • CheapandUsed on 09/01/2026 - 10:36
      +5

      It's always best to buy 2nd handed at ~4 years old with low KMs and still factory warranty.

      The FBT exemption started 1 July 2022, it would be fair to assume there should be an increase in cars coming off 3 year leases this year so could get quite interesting.

    • jv on 09/01/2026 - 11:27
      -3

      I am looking to buy the 2025 Model Y long

      Have you tried Amazon?

    • Ade99 on 10/01/2026 - 09:40
      -1

      Buying a 3 to 4 year old ICE car, with a 70 litre tank, will still have the same driving range as when new …this will not be the case with an EV 🤔

      • Bignudge on 10/01/2026 - 10:14
        +4

        If it had done 100,000KMs, at worst it will be a 10% battery degradation. At 60,000KM probably 5%.

        I've currently got a 2018 Subaru XV with 100,000KM with FULL ORIGINAL driving range but I'm already budgeting money for:
        1. CVT shift solenoids
        2. Brake pads + maybe rotors
        3. PCV valve (preventative)
        4. Spark plugs
        5. Air filter
        6. Fuel injection cleaner bottle that contains PEA
        7. Coolant change

        And sometimes it's the mindset of not paying for fuel as well. Plug into solar and charge for free? Sure I'll drive out 45 mins for a burger and some fun. Paying for petrol? Nah I'll just go round the block.

    • Hairgainbunter on 12/01/2026 - 08:36
      +2

      Yes, OP Could get a 2022 model y this year instead if full self driving not wanted… incredible value!

      • Bignudge on 14/01/2026 - 21:06

        I'm after the 2025 version mostly for the better styling at the front. It looks less like a pregnant frog. Also the refresh version has better suspension and noise insulation.

        As for full self driving (supervised), I'll just continue using my Comma 3X with Frogpilot :)

        • V2L on 15/01/2026 - 06:37

          thank you for the description I've always thought it looked a bit odd but couldn't quite put my finger on what it reminded me of

    • TilacVIP on 15/01/2026 - 21:59

      with that much on the clock, that Y will probably we less.

  • Euphemistic on 09/01/2026 - 10:13
    +4

    If you think EVs are going to improve over the next few years, just wait. Unless yoouve had a financial windfall today, there isnt much point replacing a functional vehicle. Buying a vehicle will cost you money and unless you will be charging it with excess solar, its still going to cost something to run.

    One of the down sides of waiting is that it is possible your iCE will lose additional value as the market shifts to EVs. That is, there may be less buyers for 2018 ICE in a couple of years, and the prices will be lower accoringly.

    Ultimately, do what is right for now, dont hold out for the future what-ifs - or youll never buy anything.

  • cashless on 09/01/2026 - 10:14
    +12

    I'm a family of two kids.

    In that case you're not old enough to drive yet

  • D grump on 09/01/2026 - 10:27
    +3

    EV as second car makes a lot of sense but the last thing you want is a brand new to Australia. You want an established brand which is likely to be here in 5-10 years time - and this is where the devil lies

  • sghetti on 09/01/2026 - 10:32
    +9

    I've recently replaced a 4x4 with a Model Y and have absolutely no regrets. Various reasons for it including reliability of the ute being a major factor. I won't be going backwards now, it's cost me all of $30-40 to keep charged up since late September (5-7% of what the ute would've cost on diesel), purchased on Novated Lease and sold the ute, so cash in hand for the balloon payment at the end of the lease as I'll plan to keep it. The Model Y refresh is amazing, smooth to drive, I hate hopping into an ICE now and driving around, it feels archaic.

    You haven't provided any other reasoning to replace the 2018 5-seater though. Sure, it'll cost more in petrol for the time being, but replacing the car if it isn't worth heaps is going to cost you a lot more regardless of how you do it. I'd say run the 5-seater into the ground before looking to upgrade.

    On the concerns about EV tech rapidly evolving, it's like any tech, it'll keep doing that for quite a while. EV's now will depreciate faster than other cars as the tech keeps evolving rapidly, that's just how it's going to be for the foreseeable future. If you NEED a car now then jump in, but I'm not seeing that in your post. Like anything tech related, you can hold out for the next big thing, but then the next big thing will be around the corner.

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