The EV Revolution: Health, Cost, and the Future of Driving in Australia

Back in 2016, Dr. Thomas Gan and his wife Dr. Joy were faced with a tough choice. Their family car, a Hyundai Santa Fe diesel, was making life miserable for their kids who suffered from asthma. The fumes in the garage caused headaches, nausea, and worsening respiratory issues.

The solution? A Tesla Model S. “It was night and day compared to a diesel vehicle,” Thomas recalls. Quiet, powerful, and free from toxic tailpipe emissions, the car not only improved family health but sparked something bigger—the launch of their EV-focused YouTube channel, Ludicrous Feed.

Why an EV Channel?

In the early days, Thomas found himself answering the same questions over and over:

• How far can it drive?

• How long does it take to charge?

• What happens if the battery dies?

In 2018, armed with a GoPro and a willingness to share, he recorded a short clip showing how to start and drive the Tesla. That 30-second video was the beginning of what is now one of Australia’s most trusted consumer voices on EVs.

Joy joined soon after, bringing a fresh perspective. “I like asking the dumb questions so others don’t feel intimidated,” she says. Her family-focused take helps balance out the technical talk, making the channel more relatable to everyday Aussies.

The Chinese EV Revolution

One of the standout themes from their travels is the rapid transformation of China’s EV market. Visiting cities like Shanghai feels like stepping into a sci-fi movie—modern skylines, quiet streets dominated by EVs, and futuristic tech.

With more than 100 local EV brands in China, not all will survive. “They openly admit it’s survival of the fittest,” Joy notes. Consolidation is expected, much like what happened in the smartphone market. For Australia, this means we’re largely seeing the “best of the best” exported: BYD, Geely, Polestar, MG, and Zeekr.

And thanks to the lack of tariffs on Chinese EV imports, Australia has become a testing ground for many of these brands.

The Range Anxiety Myth

Critics often point to range anxiety as a reason to delay adoption. But battery technology is rapidly improving. Densities are rising, solid-state batteries are on the horizon, and ultrafast charging networks are expanding worldwide.

“In China, they’re already testing 1-megawatt chargers. That’s ten times faster than most of what we have in Australia today,” Thomas explains. Within the decade, EVs with 800–1,000 km range and 5-minute charging times could become mainstream.

At that point, the argument over range will be over.

The Real Barrier: Charging Infrastructure

Australia’s problem isn’t the cars—it’s the chargers. With 7,000 petrol stations compared to only 1,400 charging sites, coverage is thin, especially outside major cities.

Tesla’s Supercharger network remains the most reliable, and many sites are now open to all EVs. But what Australia really needs are banks of 20+ chargers per site, not just a token single unit in regional towns.

Opportunities exist for big retail chains—Bunnings, McDonald’s, IKEA—to transform their carparks into solar-powered charging hubs with on-site batteries. This kind of thinking could finally make EV ownership seamless for all Australians.

Batteries, Warranties, and Recycling

Concerns about EV battery life persist, but real-world experience paints a different picture. After almost 10 years, Thomas’ Tesla Model S has lost just 7% of its battery capacity.

Newer lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistries are even more robust, designed to be charged to 100% daily with minimal degradation.

The bigger challenge may be recycling. Australia lags behind in developing large-scale facilities to process end-of-life batteries. “It’s the missing piece,” Markus Lambert notes in the discussion. Without forward-thinking schemes—similar to container deposits for bottles—the industry risks reputational damage down the line.

Hybrids vs EVs: The Australian Debate

Hybrids are having a moment in Australia, largely thanks to Toyota’s dominance and public uncertainty about charging infrastructure. Yet for most city drivers, EVs already make far more financial sense.

Running costs are dramatically lower, especially when paired with rooftop solar and home batteries. “It’s a no-brainer,” Thomas insists. “Why spend $2,800 a year on petrol when you can drive for free?”

The Next Decade: What to Expect

• More affordable EVs: With cars like the MG4 and BYD Dolphin already selling under $40,000, true mass-market pricing is near.

• Electric utes: Models like the BYD Shark aim squarely at Australia’s largest vehicle segment. Winning over tradies and families will be crucial.

• Smaller city EVs: Compact, affordable hatchbacks like the BYD Seagull will appeal to urban dwellers.

• V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid): EVs will double as mobile batteries, stabilising the grid and creating new income streams for households.

• Subscription and leasing models: Car ownership will diversify, with options ranging from outright purchase to Netflix-style EV subscriptions.

Final Advice for Buyers

Thomas’ key advice: be honest about your needs.

• City driving? Go EV now—it’s cheaper, cleaner, and fits the lifestyle.

• Regional or long-distance driving? Consider a hybrid for the moment, or wait as infrastructure improves.

• Apartment living? Charging can be tricky, but solutions are emerging, from shared chargers to pole-mounted street units.

Joy’s advice is simpler: “Don’t overthink it. If we can do it, you can do it. EVs aren’t scary.”