EVs Just Overtook Petrol in Australia
2026 is the year electric cars stopped being a niche. In August, battery EVs outsold petrol cars in Australia for the first time, and the Tesla Model Y was the country's single best-selling new vehicle that month. Across the first half of the year, the Model Y led EV sales with more than 20,000 deliveries, the BYD Sealion 7 came second, and BYD overtook Tesla as the biggest-selling EV brand overall.
In Perth we're seeing more and more EVs on our booking sheet — and their owners tend to ask the same questions. This guide answers them.
The short version: An EV needs the same paint, glass, wheel and interior care as any car — Perth's UV doesn't care what's under the bonnet. But a few things are different: charge ports, cameras and sensors, synthetic interiors, and the best time to protect the paint is the week you pick it up.
Why New EVs Need Protection Straight Away
A new car isn't a perfect car. Between the factory, the ship, the port and the dealer yard, most new vehicles pick up light wash marring, swirls and water spots before they ever reach your driveway. New EVs are no exception.
That matters because many modern factory finishes are on the softer side — owners and detailers commonly notice that they mark easily from bad washing and pick up stone chips on the freeway. On top of that, Perth's UV index regularly hits 11+ in summer, and dark greys, blacks and deep blues (very popular EV colours) show every defect.
- Paint is at its best when new — a light 1-stage polish is usually all it needs before coating
- Coating locks in that finish — 20H graphene ceramic gives around 3 years of UV and hydrophobic protection
- Washing gets easier — dust, bird droppings and bug splatter release far more easily from a coated surface
- Resale holds up — the EV used market is getting crowded, and clean, unfaded paint stands out
What's Different About Detailing an EV
No engine bay — but a frunk and charge port
There's no engine to degrease, but the front trunk collects sand, leaves and spilled shopping. The charge port and its flap seal need gentle cleaning — never a direct high-pressure blast. Keep the port closed while washing.
Cameras and sensors everywhere
EVs rely on a ring of cameras, parking sensors and radar for driver assist features. Every lens should be cleaned by hand with a soft microfibre and a non-abrasive cleaner. Harsh chemicals, abrasive pads or a pressure wand held too close can scratch lenses or force water past seals.
Car wash mode
Many EVs have a dedicated car wash mode — Tesla's, for example, closes the windows, locks the charge port and stops the wipers and parking sensors reacting. Check your owner's manual and switch it on before any wash.
Heavier cars, aero wheels
EVs are heavy, and regenerative braking means less brake dust than a petrol car — but tyres still wear faster and aero wheel covers trap grime in the gaps. Clean behind and around the covers, and use a water-based tyre dressing that won't sling onto the paint.
Big glass roofs
Panoramic glass roofs are standard on many EVs and show water spots badly in Perth's hard water and sun. Washing in the shade and drying straight away with a clean drying towel is the single best habit you can have.
Vegan leather and light interiors
Most EV interiors use synthetic "vegan leather" rather than real hide, and white or light grey seats are popular. Dark denim dye transfer is the most common problem we see. Use a pH-neutral interior cleaner — never solvent-based or household products, which can dry out and crack synthetic materials. Our interior detailing service handles this safely.
How to Wash Your EV at Home (Perth Edition)
- Wash early morning or late afternoon — never in direct midday sun
- Turn on car wash mode if your EV has one, and close the charge port
- Pre-rinse to lift sand and dust before you touch the paint
- Use a pH-neutral car shampoo and the two-bucket method
- Wash wheels last with a separate mitt and brush
- Dry immediately with a plush drying towel or blower — especially the glass roof
- Never use an automatic brush car wash on new or coated paint
Ceramic Coating for EVs in Perth
Our mobile ceramic coating package is the same proven process whether your car runs on petrol or electrons: high-pressure rinse and foam wash, wheels and tyres detailed, clay bar decontamination, a 1-stage machine polish, then our 20H graphene ceramic coating applied at your driveway. It's $800 for regular-size cars and $950 for large cars — which includes SUVs like the Model Y and Sealion 7. You'll just need a power point and a tap at home.
If your EV has been on the road a while and the paint already shows swirls, we can combine it with paint correction first. Want the full background? Read is ceramic coating worth it in Perth, or see real results on our ceramic coating page.
EV Detailing FAQ
Should I ceramic coat a brand new Tesla or BYD?
Yes — a new EV is the best time to coat. Paint is at its best, so a light 1-stage polish removes any transport or handling marks and the coating locks in that finish for around 3 years of Perth sun.
Is it safe to pressure wash an electric car?
Yes, with care. EVs are sealed for rain and washing, but keep the pressure wand at a sensible distance, never blast directly into the charge port, seals or camera lenses, and keep the charge port closed. If your car has a car wash mode, turn it on first.
Do EVs still need detailing if they have no engine?
Yes. Paint, glass, wheels and interiors age exactly the same way in Perth's UV. EVs skip the engine bay degrease, but the frunk, charge port area, cameras and sensors need careful cleaning instead.
How much does ceramic coating cost for a Tesla Model Y in Perth?
Our 20H graphene ceramic coating is $800 for regular-size cars and $950 for large cars, including SUVs such as the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7, including foam wash, clay bar decontamination and 1-stage machine polish at your driveway.
Protect Your New EV
20H graphene ceramic coating applied at your Perth driveway. $800 regular-size cars · $950 large cars (incl. Model Y & Sealion 7).
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