Driving electric: what people get wrong—and what it’s really like

What Australians say people still don’t understand about everyday EV life

When we asked Australians to share, in 25 words or less, what people without an EV still don’t understand, we expected a mix of views. What we got was something much bigger.

More than 5,000 EV drivers from across the country responded—sharing insights, observations and a healthy dose of humour. While every answer was different, a few clear themes stood out.

Together, they paint a simple picture of what everyday EV ownership actually looks like.

‍‍It quickly becomes just another part of your day

If there was one message we heard again and again, it was this:

EV ownership becomes routine, faster than most people expect.

A common misconception is that charging takes planning or extra effort. In reality, most drivers told us the opposite. Charging tends to happen while they’re already doing something else—at home, at work, or out and about.

As one respondent put it:

“People think I plan charging stops. Reality: I spend more time deciding what’s for dinner.”

For most drivers, charging isn’t something they organise their day around. It simply fits into it.

Charging happens in the background

Another consistent theme was how quickly charging fades into the background.

Many respondents compared it to charging a phone: plug in, walk away, get on with your day.

Whether it’s overnight at home or while running errands, charging often happens while the car is parked—not as a separate task that takes up time.

As one driver explained:

“Charging doesn’t cost you time. It happens while you sleep, shop, eat...”

Once it becomes part of your routine, it’s something you barely think about.

Range anxiety isn’t what people expect

Range anxiety came up a lot—but not in the way you might think.

Many drivers said it’s something you hear about more than you experience. Once they got used to their vehicle and typical driving patterns, those concerns dropped away.

For everyday trips—commutes, school runs, weekends—EV ownership was described as predictable, straightforward and low stress.

One response summed it up neatly:

“The biggest surprise? Everyday EV life is uneventful. Quiet, convenient and easier than expected.”

The driving experience stands out

While much of the focus was on charging and routine, plenty of responses pointed to the driving experience itself.

Drivers consistently mentioned how quiet, smooth and responsive EVs feel.

For many, that translates to a more relaxed drive—and arriving at their destination feeling better than they used to.

It’s a simple shift, but one that comes up again and again once people make the switch.

Real experiences, not buzzwords

What stood out most across the 5,000+ responses was how practical—and honest—they were.

People didn’t talk about specs, charge speeds or technical details.

They talked about everyday life:

• Convenience
• Routine
• Comfort
• Peace of mind

And how quickly something that once felt new becomes completely normal.

Thanks to everyone who shared their experience

A huge thank you to the thousands of Australians who took the time to contribute.

Your responses offer a clear snapshot of EV ownership today—and show how real-world experience often differs from common perception.

Congratulations to our winner who will be hearing from us soon, and thanks for helping tell the story of everyday EV life.

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‍A special thank you to Exicom for supporting the competition by providing a Spin Air home charger valued at $700 for our winning entrant.

The Spin Air home charger is part of Exicom's growing EV charging portfolio and will soon be available in Australia, helping make home charging even more accessible and convenient for Australian EV drivers.‍

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