Electric Dominance
By 2030, EVs are projected to make up 50-60% of new car sales in Australia. Charging infrastructure will be as common as petrol stations. Battery costs will continue falling, making EVs cheaper than petrol equivalents.
Autonomous Driving
Full self-driving (Level 5) remains elusive, but Level 3 autonomy (hands-off highway driving with driver supervision) will be common by 2030. Highway pilot, auto-parking, and traffic jam assist will be standard features.
Connected Cars
Over-the-air updates, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, integrated home automation, predictive maintenance alerts, and seamless streaming/connectivity will transform the in-car experience.
Subscription Models
Some features may shift to subscription models (heated seats, advanced cruise control). This trend is controversial but likely to expand. Vehicle ownership itself may become more flexible with manufacturer-backed subscription programs.
Impact on Used Cars
Today's well-maintained petrol vehicles will remain in demand for decades. Classic car values are already rising as enthusiasm for 'analog' driving grows. Buying a quality used car today is both a practical and potentially wise investment.