What’s the range tipping point to attract a sceptical buyer to even look at an electric vehicle? Much of the feedback we see at Wheels suggests it’s 1000km – a range that seemed fanciful even a few years ago – but BYD Australia thinks the answer is a little more nuanced than simply an outright figure.

“Yeah, it’s a good question and I don’t know that the tipping point is to be honest,” BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins told Wheels. “But what I do know, is that BYD at its core, is very much about battery technology and leading battery technology, so I think range is one part of it, but there are other parts too, like charging time and charging availability.”

As it is in EV manufacturing terms, China is also leading the way in the roll out of serious public charging infrastructure, aimed at making the ownership of an EV as attractive – and easy – as possible.

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“In China, they’re just rolling out mega chargers, 1000kW, five minute charging capability,” Collins told Wheels. “So I think there are a number of answers to that question that solve some of the issues for some of the people who aren’t fully adopted yet for EVs. So I do think range is one component and like everything it’s going to keep improving as we go.”

Can Collins see a situation, then, where we get the charging infrastructure ‘right’ in this country then, given especially in remote areas or outside metro areas, its the single biggest issue for sceptical buyers in this country?

“Im not sure we’re miles away, I think we’ll get it right, it’s just an evolution,” Collins told Wheels. “We know most people charge at home, so it’s not just about the public charging infrastructure system, it’s also about getting affordable home chargers into houses.”

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For what it’s worth, Collins says BYD isn’t expecting the government to pay for the infrastructure required to assist the uptake of EVs in Australia.

“I feel strongly there’s a role for the private sector and the public sector to play in that regard, Collins said. “What percentage either one is, I don’t know, but we’re not expecting the government to be paying for all this. We’re committed to provide infrastructure where we can as well and invest in that infrastructure.”