Australian drivers' resistance to buying electric vehicles could be dissipating, with more than half the respondents in a new survey saying they would consider making the switch.
The NRMA surveyed the attitudes of more than 1200 NSW and ACT members to buying an electric vehicle and found 57 per cent would consider it.
The State of Electric Vehicles report released last week found electric car sales in Australia make up less than 3.5 per cent of the market, dramatically lagging behind the United Kingdom and other right-hand drive countries, where EVs make up more than 20 per cent of vehicles.
The NRMA survey found people in their 30s were the most enthusiastic about EVs, with more than four in five indicating positive intentions to going electric.
Reducing their environmental footprint was the top reason for those considering a switch, while having access to charging stations continues to sway people.
For those thinking of taking the plunge, 43 per cent of respondents indicated they could buy an EV in the next three to five years.
Fewer than one in five said they would consider buying an EV in the next two years.
One quarter had researched the viability of EVs and in regional areas that figure rose to almost one third.
The high price of buying an EV remained a top reason for people hesitating, but that concern dropped from 52 per cent to 43 over the year.
The NSW government is offering an incentive of $3000 to make the switch to an electric vehicle, while the ACT government has loans of up to $15,000 available.
Both governments have waived stamp duty charges for those buying electric cars.
NRMA spokeswoman Emma Harrington said the appetite for information around EVs was growing every year.
"Over the past five years we have seen growing interest in electric vehicles from our members, but what we are seeing now is a significant increase in those looking to purchase an EV," she said.
