Experience Changes Perception – Bums on Seats!

Support CleanTechnica’s work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe.

CleanTechnica readers met Marc Anderson last February, when he shared his Xpeng G6 experience with us. We were very impressed with the tech available on an Xpeng, especially when he demonstrated how he could use his phone to reverse park the car, outside the Bracken Ridge Tavern where our local EV group meet. You can read about it here.

Last month he was back and eager to share his experience, taking his father for a road trip in his exciting Xpeng G6. Here is his story in his own words:

Experience Changes Perception: An EV Road Trip Story With My Father

As an insurance advisor with over 28 years’ experience, working closely with Australia’s largest motor vehicle insurers, I’ve had a front-row seat to how people think about different vehicle types. Over time, I’ve noticed a consistent pattern when it comes to electric vehicles: people who have never driven or owned one are far more likely to hold negative perceptions or misconceptions than those who have.

I could easily draw on countless professional or industry examples, but instead, I want to share something more personal — a real-world experience involving my 78-year-old father.

In July 2025, I took my father on a road trip from Brisbane to Townsville in my Xpeng G6. The purpose? Four days immersed in one of Australia’s most high-octane motorsport events — loud V8s, burning rubber, and the unmistakable smell of fuel. The journey itself was a 3,000+ kilometer round trip, with several sightseeing stops along the way.

This trip was my birthday gift to my father, as his actual birthday fell within the trip. Furthermore, I had also created a playlist of his favorite music via Spotify to play during the trip. He was intrigued to discover the music played seamlessly despite the dropouts of mobile phone coverage in rural areas, and songs could be played on demand following my voice commands.

When I first suggested doing the trip in an electric vehicle, my father’s reaction was immediate — and predictable. He raised concerns about range anxiety, charging availability, and whether we’d even make it to our destination without drama. In fact, he felt compelled to offer his 2012 Nissan Patrol “just in case,” to ensure we didn’t get stranded.

His concerns mirrored those I hear regularly: What about charging times? What if you can’t find a charger? What if the battery fails?

Before we left, I pre-planned the route to include regular rest stops — something you’d do on any long road trip. Many of the charging stations along the way offered up to 150kW charging speeds, meaning the vehicle was typically ready to continue before we were.

Charging breaks naturally aligned with coffee stops, meals, and leg stretches. Instead of feeling like an inconvenience, they became part of the rhythm of the journey. This alone challenged one of my father’s biggest assumptions: that charging would be slow, stressful, and disruptive.

A big part of EV hesitation isn’t technical — it’s psychological. New technology removes familiar cues we’ve relied on for decades. Engine noise, gear changes, vibration — these signals subconsciously reassure drivers. My father experienced this firsthand. Without the roar of an engine or the sensation of shifting gears, he initially struggled to perceive speed. He often commented that we “felt slow,” only to be surprised when he glanced at the speedometer.

Interestingly, the EV safety cars at the race event were capable of speeds up to 250km/h and could accelerate from 0–100km/h in just 3.7 seconds — within two-tenths of the Gen3 Supercars we’d traveled so far to see. That fact alone challenged my father’s thoughts that EVs lack performance.

He was particularly impressed by the smooth ride, handling, and effortless acceleration — qualities that don’t always come across until you experience them firsthand.

Battery Longevity: Another Common Myth

At one point, my father asked the question many people do:

“Won’t you need to replace the battery in a few years?”

I explained that my one-year-old vehicle was approaching 20,000 kilometers, and the battery state of health was still at 100%. More importantly, the manufacturers wouldn’t confidently offer battery warranties of up to 10 years if they didn’t stand behind the durability of their technology. Battery degradation, while real, is far slower and more predictable than many people assume.

A Shift in Perspective

As the trip progressed, something subtle but important happened. My father’s apprehension began to fade. By the return journey, he was pointing out other EVs on the road — almost affectionately — and commenting on how common they were becoming.

What started as scepticism slowly turned into curiosity, and then into a quiet sense of belonging. He wasn’t just a passenger anymore; he felt part of a growing EV community.

Final Thoughts

This trip reinforced something I’ve observed throughout my career: experience changes perception. EVs aren’t perfect, and they’re not the right solution for everyone — but many of the loudest criticisms come from people who’ve never lived with one. Sometimes, all it takes is a long drive, a few charging stops, and an open mind to realise that the future of driving isn’t as intimidating as it first appears.

—

Thank you Marc.

Australia’s future is looking bright and electric, as more people get their bums in the seats of an electric vehicle. In January this year,  94 Xpeng G6s have been sold. We are still awaiting February numbers. Xpeng is expanding throughout Australia. You can read about it here.  The best way to sell electric is give prospective buyers the experience.