Australia’s EV surge could signal shift in climate engagement

Australia’s EV surge could signal shift in climate engagement

Electric vehicle sales are rising in Australia amid fuel price volatility, but this trend may also signal evolving consumer expectations around sustainability, innovation and environmental responsibility. An RMIT expert explains.

Marco De Sisto, Associate Professor in Management 

"The rise in electric vehicle sales reflects growing concerns about fuel costs, while also hinting at a changing relationship between consumers and climate change. 

"EVs make sustainability visible. Features like lower emissions and longer driving ranges don’t just represent better technology, they signal environmental responsibility. 

"People often see climate action as something driven by policy or infrastructure, but our research shows everyday products matter. Consumers interpret these features as a message: this is a cleaner, smarter choice. 

"It helps reframe sustainability: not as a sacrifice, but as something embedded in innovation, performance, and value. When people see that sustainable products are also better products, change doesn’t feel like a burden. It becomes a natural choice."

Read the full study here.

Marco De Sisto is an Associate Professor at RMIT University and Chair of the EARTH (Environment And Responsibility for Transitions in Humanity) sustainability research group, focusing on responsible management and decision-making under uncertainty, particularly in the context of climate change and natural disasters.

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General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

10 April 2026

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