will petrol cars lose value

Short answer: yes, but not like a stone off a cliff—more like a slow roll down your driveway.

In Australia, mainstream petrol cars are likely to depreciate a little faster over the next decade as EVs get cheaper, fuel prices inch upward, and incentives tilt electric.

Efficient small hatches and popular utes/4x4s should hold up better; thirsty large sedans and non-iconic performance models will feel it most.

Policy matters—any city emissions rules or taxes would speed it up, but there’s no nationwide ban on petrol sales pencilled in yet.

The used market will remain petrol-heavy for years, so demand won’t vanish, just soften.

If you’re buying, favour newer, efficient, well-serviced examples; if selling, move before big model updates or fuel spikes make buyers skittish.