Australian new-car consumers are in a ‘fence-sitting section’ in the case of electrical automobiles (EVs), in response to Volkswagen Australia, although the corporate says its modest EV lineup is assembly gross sales expectations.
The model’s native head of product, Arjun Nidigallu, defined its latest hybrid push, which contains plug-in hybrid variations of the Tiguan and Tayron confirmed for launch in 2026, has been prompted by slower take-up of EVs.
“We’ve had the adoption section … we’re now going into what I’d like to explain because the fence-sitting section,” Mr Nidigallu stated.
Gross sales of EVs in Australia within the first half of this yr elevated 9.3 per cent over the identical interval in 2024, stronger development than the 4.7 per cent for the complete calendar yr of 2024 – however predictably properly in need of the 160 per cent determine from 2023.
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new automobile. Click on right here to get an amazing deal.
“Why are folks sitting on the fence? One, they don’t wish to go to a automobile that doesn’t really feel like a automobile. Two, they’ve acquired vary anxiousness about charging and issues,” he stated.
“We’re fixing these issues with ID.4 with our partnership with Ampol public charging – so for us, on this fence-sitting section we couldn’t ask for a greater product.”
Whereas the Volkswagen model globally has been proactive in introducing EVs – with its ID.3, which isn’t bought right here, launched in 2019 – they’ve been slower to reach Down Beneath.
Volkswagen Australia added its first EVs to its native lineup – the ID. Buzz folks mover and ID. Buzz Cargo van – in 2024, including the ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs earlier this yr.
The ID.4 has bought the strongest, however nonetheless didn’t make the highest ten record of best-selling EVs in August 2025, topped by its key rival, the just lately up to date Tesla Mannequin Y.
“We’ve solely had two months of gross sales, it’s a bit early [to judge success], however the suggestions to this point has been tremendously optimistic and it [the ID.4] is a mainstay for us,” Mr Nidigallu stated.
Regardless of its latest arrival right here, the ID.4 has been on sale abroad since 2020 and is reportedly set for a important makeover with a brand new design route from Wolfsburg.
The look was previewed just lately by the Volkswagen ID. Cross idea proven on the Munich motor present.
The ID.4’s replace may even embody bodily buttons within the cabin given complaints for purchasers concerning the present automobile’s touchscreen-operated capabilities.
“We’ve gone previous the early adopter section within the mainstream – we have been ready for that, and we knew we have been launching [ID.4 and ID.5] this yr and knew the fragmentation’s there, however fortunately now we have the product that ticks so many bins,” Mr Nidigallu stated.
Piergiorgio Minto, Volkswagen Australia passenger car director, stated EVs usually are not taking a again seat to hybrids, regardless of the latter’s gross sales development.
“EVs are a possibility out there they usually’re going to develop. The supply on EVs goes to be greater and greater sooner or later – there isn’t a query it’ll develop,” Mr Minto instructed CarExpert.
“So, we’re going to see a very completely different market in 2030 – so it’s a possibility and subsequently, we give numerous significance to the ID.4 and ID.5 as a result of they’re a few of our first automobiles we’ve acquired as pure BEVs [battery electric vehicles] as the trail into the long run for us.”