Key Takeaways:
- EV subscriptions make electric vehicles more accessible by removing the high upfront costs and long-term commitment of ownership.
- Flexibility is key. With options to upgrade, swap, or cancel, drivers can adapt their vehicle choice as their needs change.
- Subscriptions are an ideal fit for families, expats and FIFO workers
- Business and government are making the switch to EVs and are eligible for FBT if they opt for car subscription.
- According to the 2025 sales figures released by the Electric Vehicle Council, electric vehicles now account for over 13% of all new car sales, with more than 360,000 EVs currently on our roads.
- Learn how EV subscriptions compare to buying or leasing and why this model is leading the shift toward Australia’s electric future.
When it comes to the future of Australian roads, one thing is clear: electric vehicles (EVs) are here to stay and adoption is going to continue. At Karmo, we’re seeing firsthand how EV car subscriptions are reshaping the way we access electric vehicles; by making it easier to trial, drive and enjoy the benefits of EVs without the headaches of ownership.
Why Australia’s EV Moment Is Now
The Australian EV market has reached a tipping point. New EV sales in 2025 exceeded 157,000, an increase of 38% year on year, with battery EVs exceeding 100,000 for the first time. According to the 2025 sales figures, electric vehicles now account for over 13% of all new car sales. This growth supports the government’s 2035 emissions target and was supported by the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in 2025, which encourages manufacturers to bring a more diverse range of low-emission models to the local market.
Infrastructure is keeping pace with vehicle sales and as of mid-2025, Australia has seen a 21% year-on-year increase in fast and ultra-fast charging plugs. Federal and State government initiatives, such as the Driving the Nation program, are ensuring that regional and rural areas are not left behind, making long-distance EV travel more viable than ever before.
However, for many drivers, questions remain:
- What happens if battery technology improves next year?
- Will I still want this car in 12 months?
- What if my needs change?
- What is value of my car going to be in 3 years?
This is where subscription offers a simple answer.
“The beauty of subscription is that it gives people the freedom to explore EVs without locking themselves into one choice,” says Laura Harewood, Group Chief Revenue Officer at Karmo. “It removes the fear of making the wrong long-term decision and empowers customers to adapt as their life or business needs evolve.”
The Benefits of EV Subscription Over Ownership
With Karmo, the upfront commitment and guesswork of buying an EV are replaced with convenience and flexibility. Our customers enjoy a subscription that gives them:
- No long-term lock-ins
- Simple weekly payments covering registration, insurance, servicing, and roadside assistance
- The freedom to change or cancel as needed
This approach is especially appealing for:
- Families and individuals who want to make that switch to an EV and save on running costs.
- Expats and FIFO workers testing life in Australia (Car Subscriptions for Expats Moving to Australia)
- Businesses trialling EV fleets before committing to a large-scale transition (Why Fleet Subscription is Perfect for New and Growing Businesses)
Why flexibility and convenience matter
The EV space is evolving fast. New models, better batteries, and infrastructure improvements are arriving at speed. Waiting for the “perfect time” to buy can mean missing out on the benefits of driving electric today.
Subscription allows you to:
- Stay up to date with technology, by providing new vehicles
- Trial different EVs to see what suits your lifestyle or business
- Avoid the depreciation risks associated with ownership
Learn more about how EV subscriptions compare to buying or leasing.
Making home charging simple with JET Charge
The most convenient way to charge an EV is at home, but for many the installation process can feel daunting. To solve this, Karmo has partnered with JET Charge, Australia’s leading EV charging experts.
Through this partnership, Karmo subscribers gain access to seamless, end-to-end home charging solutions. Whether you need a standard wallbox installation or a smart, solar-ready charger, JET Charge provides Karmo customers with:
- Discounted hardware and installation tailored to your home.
- Expert consultation to ensure your electrical switchboard is ready.
- Professional installation by certified electricians.
By combining a flexible vehicle subscription with an easy home charging setup, Karmo and JET Charge are removing the final hurdles to simplifying the transition to an electric future.
Business and government are leveraging the benefits
A major driver of Australia’s electric transition is the corporate and public sector. Research from Origin Energy’s 2024 EV Fleet Roadmap highlights that businesses are increasingly transitioning their fleets to EVs to meet ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) targets and take advantage of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption.This exemption can save organisations up to $11,000 per year per vehicle, making the total cost of ownership (TCO) for an electric fleet significantly lower than traditional internal combustion engines.
EV car subscriptions from Karmo also qualify for FBT as per a recent ATO product ruling as long as organisations subscribe to an EV for 3 months or more.
Karmo helps businesses and government agencies navigate this transition by providing flexible fleet subscriptions. This allows organisations to scale their electric fleet up or down as needed, avoiding the capital risk of purchasing a full fleet of new technology outright.
Looking Ahead: The Role of Subscription in Australia’s Electric Future
The vision for Australia’s roads is clear: government initiatives, such as the National Electric Vehicle Strategy, are aiming for EVs to make up a significant portion of new car sales by 2030. However, achieving this requires more than just policy, it requires breaking down the barriers that have historically kept EVs out of reach.
The falling cost barrier
We are currently witnessing a massive shift in EV affordability. For the first time in the Australian market, the “electric premium” is evaporating. In 2024 and 2025, a wave of new models, led by brands like BYD, MG, and GWM, has introduced high-quality electric vehicles at price points previously reserved for petrol cars.
According to a 2024 study by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the dominance of Chinese EV manufacturing is a primary driver of this trend. China now accounts for over 70% of global EV production, leveraging massive economies of scale and supply chain integration to lower costs. This competitive pressure has forced a “price war” in Australia, with entry-level EV prices dropping by as much as 26% in a single year.
How Karmo makes the switch cheaper
At Karmo, we’ve passed these industry-wide savings directly to our customers. As the purchase price of these vehicles has fallen, so too has the cost of accessing them. By integrating these more affordable, tech-forward models into our fleet, we have been able to reduce subscription costs, making EV access cheaper than ever.
A Karmo subscription removes the remaining hurdles:
- Lower cost: No large upfront deposit or long-term loan required.
- No depreciation risk: As technology improves and prices fluctuate, subscription saves you from owning a depreciating asset.
- Total flexibility and total control: You can trial the latest electric tech to see how it fits your lifestyle, and hand it back if it doesn’t.
By removing the cost barrier and making EV access as easy as a subscription, Karmo is proud to help more Australians make the switch.
