EV Demand Surges as Petrol Prices at $3/L in Australia | TrueEV Update
About this episode
Rising petrol and diesel prices in Australia are driving a noticeable surge in EV interest, with Tesla showrooms reportedly packed mid-week and BYD and other Chinese brands seeing strong order momentum. The hosts discuss lead-time shifts (Tesla Model Y moving from weeks to months), cheaper Tesla Supercharging pricing, and the knock-on effect of fuel costs on everyday prices. The biggest curveball is TrueEV/Xpeng’s Australian distributor entering external administration, sparking owner anxiety and calls for HQ clarity on warranties, rebates, and support.
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Catch up on the latest in Electric Vehicle news from Australia and around the world! Hosted by Tom & Joy Gan of Ludicrous Feed, Riz Akhtar from Carloop and Roland Lam from Zapped
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charging plans
"If you want some Evie day or Evie night charging plans check out the power shop link in the video description as always Let's say hello to our co-hosts for this evening."
They mention “charging plans,” which are options for when and how you charge your EV. The day/night idea usually means you can charge at cheaper times.
“Charging plans” are mentioned as “EVie day” and “EVie night” options, implying time-based pricing or scheduling. This concept matters for EV owners because it can reduce electricity costs and improve charging convenience.
5g
"So good to be back on is that why the umbrellas are $7,000 gets you 5g It actually gets you like 5.5g"
They’re talking about 5G, which is a faster mobile internet connection. The point here is that it can be harder to get a signal inside a car, so they’re discussing what improves connectivity.
“5G” is mentioned in the context of connectivity and reception inside the vehicle. The speaker implies that a higher-cost setup improves cellular signal availability for streaming or messaging.
Starlink
"You need Starlink right when you've got a spectre umbrella exactly. You need Starlink is what we call it the umbrella Roland our other co-hosts sends his apologies this evening."
Starlink is referenced as a satellite connectivity solution (“You need Starlink”). In this context, it’s being suggested as a workaround when cellular reception is poor inside the vehicle.
EV
"Interest in Evie's is currently sky-high. I think what about you? What are you hearing around the traps there? Yeah, so I was at a Tesla showroom today dropping one of their media loans"
EV means electric vehicle—cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline or diesel. The episode is talking about more people wanting EVs lately.
EV stands for electric vehicle. The discussion centers on how EV interest is rising quickly in Australia, with people actively visiting showrooms and considering EVs as alternatives to petrol or diesel.
Tesla
"Yeah, so I was at a Tesla showroom today dropping one of their media loans Back and for a Wednesday afternoon like we're talking 12 30 p.m. It was packed"
Tesla is a company that makes electric cars. The host is saying their Tesla showroom was really busy, which suggests lots of people are shopping for EVs right now.
Tesla is an EV manufacturer that sells vehicles through showrooms and direct sales. In this segment, the speaker describes visiting a Tesla showroom and seeing strong customer demand.
showroom traffic
"Back and for a Wednesday afternoon like we're talking 12 30 p.m. It was packed I don't know what was happening. There was not enough sales staff there to To be able to accommodate for how busy it was"
Showroom traffic is a practical indicator of consumer interest—more visitors and less idle time can signal rising demand. The speaker contrasts a packed Tesla showroom now with quieter periods earlier in the year.
diesel $3.15 a liter
"I saw that today on the roads for diesel three dollars fifteen a liter for premium diesel Out of colleague of mine. He might be watching him and he said he's looking for an Evie"
Diesel is also getting expensive here. If you drive a diesel car, high diesel prices can make an EV seem like a better everyday option.
Diesel pricing is relevant because many Australian vehicles—especially larger SUVs and utes—run on diesel. The speaker notes diesel at about $3.15/L, which can push drivers to consider EVs for commuting or local trips.
EV adoption
"To be to be fair most again, maybe it's just my small circle. Most of them already own Evie's So it's actually been more the conversation. We've been having is like, oh, aren't you glad you're already in an Evie?"
EV adoption just means more people are buying and using electric cars instead of petrol or diesel. In this episode, they’re talking about why that shift is happening and how it’s changing what people worry about day to day.
The discussion is about how more people are switching to electric vehicles (EVs) and how that affects demand. It also highlights how EV ownership changes public conversations around fuel costs and daily driving.
petrol prices at $3/L
"Yeah, and it's affecting us all obviously of high petrol prices high diesel prices that will unfortunately flow through Onto the cost of living"
When petrol gets really expensive, driving a petrol car costs more every day. That makes electric cars more appealing because charging is often cheaper than buying fuel.
Rising petrol prices are a major driver of EV interest because they increase the cost of traditional driving. When fuel gets expensive, the relative savings from electricity (and EVs’ lower running costs) become more noticeable.
Chinese brands
"All the stuff that we've done over the last couple of years Particularly on the new Chinese brands, so it's good."
They’re talking about newer electric car brands coming from China. People are paying more attention to them, which can help EV sales grow.
The episode mentions increased attention around new Chinese EV brands, implying they’re gaining market share. In many markets, Chinese manufacturers have accelerated EV adoption through competitive pricing, rapid model expansion, and strong feature/value.
electric car
"I guess it's not the most Wisest thing to laugh at people that are currently not driving an electric car But the good thing is that a lot of them are starting to pay a bit more attention"
They’re talking about cars that run on electricity instead of petrol. As more people want EVs, it affects prices and availability.
The discussion is about electric vehicles (EVs) and how more people are considering them as adoption grows. In this context, “electric car” is the product category driving changes in demand and pricing.
truck van ute
"Each one of us will see an increase in prices of all the basic things that we pay for because Everything gets pretty much transported by a truck van ute one of those things so"
They’re listing the kinds of vehicles that move goods to shops. If the cost of running those vehicles changes, it can affect what you pay at the supermarket.
“Truck van ute” describes common Australian freight and utility vehicles used to move goods around—trucks for bulk transport, vans for distribution, and utes for smaller loads. The point is that most consumer goods rely on road transport, so changes in energy/fuel economics can show up in retail pricing.
dealer stock snapped up quickly
"Absolutely, yeah, I think any stock at the moment from dealers is just going to be snapped up very quickly Just anecdotally I've had people even the mini that we reviewed recently"
They’re saying dealers are running out of cars fast because demand is high. That usually means less choice and sometimes higher prices.
This describes a “sell-through” situation where dealer inventory is purchased rapidly due to strong demand—here, specifically demand for EVs. It’s a market dynamic that can lead to shortages, higher prices, and fewer choices for buyers.
petrol car as backup
"People interested in buying electric suddenly and really make a good point like they might still keep the petrol car Just in case all this blows over very shortly"
They’re saying some people might buy an EV but still keep their petrol car for a while. It’s basically a safety net in case EV life isn’t as convenient as they hoped.
The speakers describe a “keep the petrol car” strategy: buyers may purchase an EV but retain their existing petrol vehicle temporarily. This reflects real-world concerns like range, charging availability, and uncertainty about how quickly the situation (fuel prices or EV costs) will change.
solar or wind
"Can't block at the Sun or wind unless you're Mr. Burns from the Simpsons, but you're right in reality"
Solar and wind are ways to generate electricity without burning fuel. If the grid uses more of this power, charging an EV can be cleaner.
Solar and wind are the two most common renewable electricity sources discussed in EV contexts because they can supply grid power for charging. The transcript uses them to illustrate how EV benefits depend on the electricity mix.
batteries and solids
"you know, you're setting batteries and solids way"
This is about better battery technology. New battery designs can make EVs cheaper, go farther, and charge better.
“Batteries and solids” likely refers to battery technology progress, possibly including solid-state batteries (often shortened in casual speech). Battery improvements matter because they can reduce costs, improve range, and speed up EV adoption.
used EV
"Gav Schubert's good friend of ours was that a used EV car sales which their lot was completely empty not a single used EV left"
A used EV is an electric car that someone owned before you. The speaker is saying even the used EVs can disappear quickly when lots of people want them.
A “used EV” is a pre-owned electric vehicle, which matters because it affects how quickly buyers can access EVs without paying new-car pricing. The speaker’s point is that used EV inventory can sell out just as fast as new stock when demand spikes.
XPENG
"They put the faith in XPENG and you know a little bit in TV as well as a distributor to support them locally"
Xpeng is an EV brand from China. Here they’re talking about how Australian buyers feel nervous when the local business situation is unclear—especially for warranty and service.
XPENG (often written Xpeng) is a Chinese EV manufacturer known for mass-market electric vehicles and a strong focus on software and driver-assistance features. In this segment, it’s discussed in the context of customer anxiety in Australia due to uncertainty around local ownership/distribution and how warranty/parts support will be handled.
after ownership
"You know that you know, there's no support after ownership and people are always worried and that's why to be honest"
This is about what you can expect after you’ve bought the car—like repairs, parts, and help if something goes wrong later. If that support isn’t clear, people hesitate to buy.
“Support after ownership” refers to what happens once the warranty period ends or after the initial purchase—service availability, parts supply, and ongoing customer support. The segment links this to why buyers are worried and why factory-backed brands are gaining attention.
brand reputation / tarnishing the brand
"...what the brand is supposed to be to people... Fix the current messy situation... unfortunately it is tarnishing the brand at the moment"
They mean the company’s public image is getting worse because of problems people are talking about. The hosts are saying the brand needs to fix the situation to rebuild trust.
“Tarnishing the brand” describes how ongoing customer issues, delays, or disputes can damage public trust and perceived quality. The hosts connect this to the company’s efforts to manage its image and reassure customers.
Guangzhou auto show
"I mean, if you look at the products and we saw some of the videos on your channel That you know the from the Guangzhou auto show they That's a superb lineup of products like that P7 looks awesome."
They mention the Guangzhou auto show, which is a big car event where companies show off new cars and future tech. It’s basically where you see what brands are planning to release.
The Guangzhou auto show is referenced as the place where the lineup of vehicles was shown in videos. Auto shows are often where manufacturers debut concept cars, new models, and technology roadmaps, so it’s a key context for “what’s coming next.”
people mover
"It's one of those people movers that you see it in person You can sort of see it doesn't feel or look like a people mover"
“People mover” is used to describe a vehicle type aimed at transporting passengers, typically with a roomy cabin and family-friendly packaging. The speaker notes it doesn’t “feel or look like” a people mover, suggesting a more car-like design or styling despite its practicality.
creditors
"So as I was saying the extensive administration apparently only taking over those 197 cars from the instruction of the creditors, okay?"
Creditors are people or companies the business owes money to. If the company can’t pay, creditors can drive what happens next through legal processes.
“Creditors” are parties the company owes money to, such as lenders or suppliers. The excerpt implies creditors directed the administration process, which can influence how assets (like vehicles) are handled or sold.
Beijing auto show
"So hopefully there's someone wailing at The Beijing auto show next month"
The Beijing auto show is a big car event in China where companies announce new vehicles. They’re saying we might learn more about this SUV there.
The Beijing auto show is a major international event where automakers and EV brands unveil new models and technologies. The speaker is using it as a timeline for when more details about the rumored SUV could be revealed.
protective wrap on the wheels
"[1898.5s] From Gold Coast to Sydney. That's really painful isn't it? Yeah [1904.2s] Yeah, so Jean saying it's protective wrap on the wheels, okay, okay camo protective wheels [1912.6s] Okay"
Sometimes car makers cover parts like wheels with a protective film. It helps keep them looking good and can also hide the design or logo while the car is still being prepared.
A protective wrap on wheels is often used during testing, transport, or pre-production to prevent cosmetic damage and to hide branding/trim details. Camo-style coverings can also help keep the design under wraps until the full reveal.
T-boned
"[1926.8s] All right now Roland couldn't be with us today, but he has shared this vision of yeah [1932.0s] It was a pretty short Tesla was t-boned by a big truck. Looks like everyone's safe. Luckily. It's here [1942.5s] That's pretty painful"
A “T-bone” crash is when another car hits you from the side, like the front of one car crashes into the side of another. Side impacts can be serious, so it matters that the people survived here.
“T-boned” describes a side-impact collision where one vehicle is struck broadside, forming a “T” shape in the crash geometry. These collisions are often more dangerous for occupants due to intrusion risk, so “looks like everyone survived” is a key safety takeaway in the clip.
real-world crash footage as brand advertising
"[1948.6s] Yeah, nasty never like seeing that kind of thing [1953.0s] I mean this sort of stuff gets circulated so often on Chinese social media and [1958.3s] It is the biggest sort of advertising for Tesla as a brand [1963.9s] Given once upon a time"
The idea is that when people share crash videos online, it still gets lots of attention for the car brand. Even if it’s not positive, it can still act like advertising.
The segment argues that widely shared crash videos function as “biggest advertising” for a brand, even when the content is negative. This reflects how social media distribution can shape brand perception and awareness regardless of intent.
Hyundai
"So people gravitate towards brands like here Hyundai even Toyota because they know the brand right? They may not delve into as much detail as we do."
Hyundai is discussed as a “legacy” brand that consumers recognize, which can reduce purchase hesitation during EV transitions. The speaker contrasts brand familiarity with the perceived need to pay a premium for that reassurance.
Toyota
"So people gravitate towards brands like here Hyundai even Toyota because they know the brand right? They may not delve into as much detail as we do."
Toyota is mentioned alongside Hyundai as a brand people gravitate toward because they already know it. In EV adoption, brand familiarity can influence how quickly customers commit to new technology and pricing.
Honda
"I'm just quickly speaking of legacy brands. Honda released some of their Financials in the last week or so and they're not looking good at all."
Honda is referenced as having released financials that look weak, with the company canceling many EVs in its EV program. This is relevant because Honda’s EV strategy changes can influence market expectations and competitive pressure in Australia and beyond.
Nissan Leaf
"And then I think I also heard whispers that Nissan may be postponing the Nissan leaf in In certain markets including ours the new leaf"
The Nissan Leaf is a popular electric car. The speaker is saying the next version might be delayed in some places, so people may have to wait longer to buy it.
The Nissan Leaf is one of the most well-known mass-market electric cars. The speaker says there are “whispers” it may be postponed in some markets, including Australia, which would affect when buyers can expect the next Leaf.
EV charging points
"So full of EV charging points throughout this car park, which is good"
EV charging points are the places where you plug in to charge your electric car. More charging points in a car park makes it easier to charge regularly.
EV charging points are the installed outlets/chargers that allow electric vehicles to charge at a location. In the context of a car park, having many charging points improves convenience and reduces “range anxiety” by making charging more accessible.
kilowatt hour
"Sunday morning 43 cents a kilowatt hour Okay, it's pretty good."
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is how electricity usage is measured. EV charging prices are often quoted per kWh, meaning per unit of energy you put into the battery.
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit of energy used to price electricity for EV charging. When you see a price like “43 cents per kilowatt hour,” it’s essentially the cost per unit of energy delivered to your battery.
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