JOLT on how EV purchase decisions are made

One in four electric vehicle drivers bought their car without test driving it, according to first-party data from EV charging network JOLT.

The research, based on responses from more than 800 active, verified JOLT users, is the first to measure how many Australian EV drivers test drove their vehicle before buying. It found 24% did not. JOLT surveys its customers every six months on their driving habits and what they plan to buy next.

JOLT says the results show buyers are forming preferences and researching brands well before they reach a showroom, which gives brands more opportunity to influence consideration earlier.

More than half of those surveyed (56%) knew exactly what car they wanted before visiting a dealership, up from 50% in March. Some 85% arrived with a shortlist or a decision, and just 4% relied on the dealership or a test drive to make their final choice.

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JOLT gives brands access to verified EV drivers

Tim Debenham, JOLT National Sales Director, said: “Our latest insights show that the traditional car-buying journey is changing, with Australian EV buyers making up their minds long before they reach the showroom. One in four purchased their car without a single test drive, while more than half knew exactly what they wanted before walking into a dealership.

“For car brands, the message is clear: influence is no longer confined to the showroom or the test drive. Purchase decisions are being shaped through everyday moments of research, discovery, and real-life experience, often well before consumers are ready to buy. This creates an opportunity for brands to influence decision-making earlier in the journey, reaching prospective buyers while they are still exploring their options.

“JOLT gives brands access to verified EV drivers in a real-world environment, right where they charge, providing an opportunity to connect with consumers and influence brand consideration well before they reach the dealership.”

Chinese brands are gaining ground. Nearly half of JOLT users (47%) now include at least one Chinese brand on their shortlist for their next EV, almost double the figure recorded in June 2025.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) data shows Chinese-built vehicles now make up more than a third of Australia’s new vehicle market. China was the largest source of new vehicles in October, at 36% of the market. EVs account for 23% of sales, almost three times their 7.3% share a year earlier.

JOLT’s data also tracks how perceptions of major car brands have changed over 18 months, and benchmarks sentiment against competitors. BYD still leads for EV purchase consideration but has fallen seven percentage points to 54.3%, from 61.3% in March. Tesla remains second but dropped from 39% in March to 33% in September. Zeekr is now third at 31.8%, up 7.3 points from 24.5%. Geely is fourth at 24.3%, up 7.4 points from 16.9% (sixth) in March, putting it ahead of Kia.

Nearly eight in 10 JOLT users (78%) said they were more likely to choose an EV for their next car after owning one. One JOLT user said drivers would “never look back” after making the switch. Almost six in 10 (59%) plan to replace their petrol car with an EV, up slightly from March, while 46% continue to run an EV alongside a petrol or hybrid car.

“The range, the ease of charging and an abundance of luxurious interior features for a significantly cheaper price tag than comparable to petrol cars,” the user said.

The latest insights, captured after the fuel crisis began in April, show 74% of drivers switched to EVs because of lower running costs, well ahead of environmental reasons (37%). Petrol car sales have fallen over the past quarter, with FCAI figures showing a drop of almost 36% in October.