How to secure an electric vehicle for Xmas

Australia's supply of electric vehicles appears to be turning a corner, with a handful of companies able to offer the new technology to buyers within weeks and second-hand stocks starting to fill out stores.

In some cases, keen consumers will be able to take delivery of an electric vehicle before Christmas, just in time to embark on a holiday road trip.

Industry experts say the trend shows Australia's market for electric vehicles is "maturing" but warns the country still has a long way to go to meet consumer demand.

Some buyers in Australia have waited up to eight months to access an electric vehicle this year, with long waits persisting for popular models including Tesla's Model Y and BYD's Atto 3.

But an increasing number of vehicles are available within weeks rather than months.

Electric Vehicle Council policy head Jake Whitehead said the growing range of car choices and delivery times was a positive sign for the new transport option.

"It's a sign of the market maturing. Obviously, we've still got a long way to go but with the increase of new vehicles coming into the market, we'll get more second-hand vehicles available. It's a positive sign.

"Whatever vehicles are out there, whether new or second-hand electric vehicles, they're going to be in high demand."

Electric vehicle marketplace EvFind, for example, which is backed by utility company ActewAGL, lists a range of new and used battery electric cars for immediate delivery from Tesla, MG, Nissan, Kia, Polestar and Hyundai.

Australia's leading EV brand Tesla is also offering new and second-hand cars for immediate delivery in Australia this Christmas, with all but its Model Y available to order.

Polestar has sold out all used vehicles but has new, preconfigured models available from January, while second-hand EV marketplace Good Car Company has an expanding range of electric vehicles available from January onwards.

Co-founder Anthony Broese van Groenou said its stocks of second-hand electric cars were improving – and would get a boost in 2023 from a $10 million investment from Boundless – but demand continued outstrip supply.

The company imported used electric cars and vans from Britain and Japan, he said, but vehicles were often snapped up on their three-month journey to Australia.

"Currently, most of the second-hand vehicles we import sell before they even reach Australian shores," he said.

"Ideally, if we can match demand, we'll be able to get vehicles so they're sold as they arrive here."

Mr Broese van Groenou said the company's recent cash boost would see more back-to-back electric vehicle shipments to Australia over the next year, but buyers would continue to face delays for some in-demand models.

While state and federal policies had cut the price of electric vehicles this year, Mr Whitehead said the changes impacted only new vehicle sales.

Some buyers, he said, were also waiting for more car makers to launch battery electric models in Australia.

"Over the next 12 to 18 months there will be more vehicles here," Mr Whitehead said.

"People at the moment are hearing a lot more about electric vehicles, they're waiting to find out more, there's a lot more interest ... but some will be waiting to see what model best suits their needs."