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Three in five Australian car/vehicle owners (60 percent) have adjusted their vehicle maintenance habits amid economic pressures
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Cost-of-living concerns are making EVs more appealing, with savings on maintenance and fuel (32 percent) making them attractive, and the rising cost of fuel (40 percent) also a factor when considering next vehicle purchase
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Over a quarter of Australian drivers (27 percent) want more government policies and initiatives in support of sustainable transportation
New research from mycar Tyre & Auto reveals how cost-of-living challenges are reshaping mobility in Australia, with three in five vehicle owners (60 percent) changing their vehicle maintenance habits amid economic pressures and over three-quarters (77 percent) performing some form of car maintenance themselves.
Released today, the inaugural mycar Mobility Index reveals key insights into the sentiment and outlook of Australian drivers across EVs, vehicle servicing and maintenance, the role of technology in cars and the future outlook for mobility in Australia. Of the 2,004 car or vehicle owners surveyed, nearly a quarter (24 percent) have extended intervals between regular maintenance services and a fifth (21 percent) have opted for lower-cost maintenance services or repairs when available.
Financial pressures are prompting half (49 percent) of vehicle owners to adjust their insurance coverage, with over one in ten (11 percent) dropping it entirely, and over a quarter (27 percent) opting for cheaper policies while maintaining some level of coverage. Meanwhile, 14 percent missed or struggled to make a vehicle insurance payment due to the rising cost of living.
Drivers are taking a hands-on approach to vehicle maintenance, with nearly a fifth (17 percent) claiming to handle complex tasks like brake pad replacements or brake system maintenance themselves, which can be hazardous if done incorrectly.
Adam Pay, Managing Director, mycar comments “When it comes to vehicle maintenance, it’s tempting to think you can do it yourself, but the reality is these tasks require the expertise of trained technicians. That’s why mycar prioritises high-quality servicing and repairs carried out by professionals who know the ins and outs of every vehicle. To help our customers feel more confident, we developed Auto-Translate – a handy digital tool created alongside our technicians to break down car jargon into simple analogies, making it easier to understand what’s going on under the hood. But ultimately, while understanding your car is important, the actual maintenance should always be in the hands of experts to ensure you and your car are roadworthy, for longer.”
EV enthusiasts still outnumbered by sceptics
As cost-of-living pressures mount, electric vehicles (EVs) are an increasingly attractive choice with current combustion engine drivers citing the potential cost savings on both fuel (40 percent) and maintenance (32 percent) as key factors for their next car or vehicle purchase. In addition, close to a fifth (18 percent) of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) drivers would consider switching to an EV due to concerns about their carbon footprint.
Despite a growth in interest, the majority (88 percent) of those surveyed still rely on petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles. Close to half (46 percent) of those ICE owners cite the servicing and maintenance of EVs as one of the major barriers for entry, alongside the limited range of EVs and limited availability of charging infrastructure (40 percent) and high upfront costs for EV, hybrid or hydrogen vehicles (38 percent).
This perception, however, contrasts with the majority (82 percent) of current EV owners who report high satisfaction with their vehicles’ reliability and durability.
Stuart Charity, CEO, AAAA comments “It’s clear Australians need more support to ensure their first EV purchase is not their last. Supporting the transition from traditional, trusted vehicles, requires a holistic approach that starts with education on the benefits and practicalities of EV ownership and continues by ensuring the automotive industry is equipped to facilitate the shift in terms of infrastructure. It cannot be an afterthought, and this means that government and industry must work in close tandem. Not only to make the switch seamless, but also to maintain and build consumer trust in this technology.”
Digital distractions – a smooth ride or bumpy road ahead?
Drivers are apprehensive about the integration of emerging technology such as autonomous driving (44 percent), in-car data collection/monitoring for personalised services (36 percent), biometric recognition (26 percent) and virtual assistants such as ChatGPT (24 percent) or Amazon Alexa (26 percent).
This comes as current vehicle interfaces and mobile phones are providing distractions on the road. Around nine in ten vehicle owners (88 percent) claim to have witnessed other drivers being distracted by in-car technology – yet only a quarter (24 percent) admit to being distracted by notifications on their smartphones or by work-related calls, messages or emails on their phone.
Government and industry need to work together
As cars and vehicles continue to evolve, meeting Australians’ changing needs will require tackling key challenges. Over a quarter (27 percent) of drivers believe more government policies are needed in support of sustainable transportation. Nearly half (45 percent) of drivers believe a mobile EV servicing provider for future maintenance would be great, and over a third (36 percent) believe advancements in EV technology will lead to more efficient and convenient servicing options in the future.
Adam Pay adds “Our goal is to ensure the availability and convenience of more-economical transportation options to support the transition to EVs. We’re preparing our customers for the future of mobility by focusing on care beyond the car, equipping our team of auto-experts with the latest training and tools to service and repair both today’s vehicles, EVs, and connected cars of tomorrow. With an expanding mobile network, and a growing number of EV-ready stores we are dedicated to support Australians through this transition.”
For more information about mycar’s Mobility Index and to download the report, visit www.mycar.com.au/mycar-mobility-index-2024
About mycar:
With 275+ locations across Australia and over 1,300 team members, mycar Tyre & Auto is one of Australia’s largest names in the automotive industry. mycar provides a full range of automotive services including scheduled servicing, tyres, brakes, suspension, batteries and general mechanical repairs.
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