Electric vehicles are becoming more popular in Australia.

A new National Transport Commission (NTC) report shows that there has been a 149 per cent increase in new electric vehicle sales in 2019 compared with 2018.

Electric vehicle sales have increased from 2357 in 2018 to 5875 in 2019. However, the total number of electric vehicles on Australian roads at 14,500 makes up a very small proportion of the nation's almost 18 million cars and light trucks.

“One of the key findings in the report is that if we choose new vehicles based on emissions performance, we can have a significant impact,” explained the NTC’s sustainability expert Sandra McKay.

“If everyone who purchased one of Australia's top 10 selling cars or utes last year had chosen the best-in-class vehicle for emissions, Australia would have recorded a 63 per cent reduction in emissions intensity from the cars sold. Instead, Australia recorded a 0.2 per cent drop in emissions intensity.”

Australians' consumer preferences over the last decade have shifted towards heavier vehicles with larger and more powerful engines, the analysis has found.

European and Asian markets are trending towards smaller vehicles with lower emissions.

“With consumers becoming more aware of their carbon footprint and with the slow but increasing popularity of electric vehicles we hope that our report will help anyone looking to purchase a new vehicle see how easily they can make a real difference,” Ms McKay said.

Have you purchased a new car recently? What factors did you consider before making the purchase?