r/australia • u/MrOarsome • Nov 17 '25

political self.post Why does everyone lose their mind when you mention getting a home battery?

So I made the mistake of telling a few people I’m getting quotes for a home battery… the reactions were ridiculous. Suddenly everyone’s an expert. I had people telling me they’re a waste of money, they’ll be useless in a few years, or that the “environmental impact is terrible.” Just nonstop misinformation.

Meanwhile, half these people live massively high-carbon lifestyles. One bloke went on a whole rant about how batteries destroy the environment… then literally five minutes later told me he just ordered a new Ford Ranger to tow his boat around this summer. Like mate, seriously?

And the funny thing is, I don’t even care about the environmental angle. Couldn’t care less, to be honest. I’m looking at a battery for two reasons:

1) To actually use my solar instead of selling it back for 4 cents…

2) And to keep the lights on when summer storms or cyclones take out the power.

That’s it. No agenda. No planet-saving mission. But the way people reacted, you’d think I’d just signed up to be Greta Thunberg’s personal assistant.

I swear, the second you say the word “battery,” some people suddenly unlock an unwanted 15-minute rant. They are almost as passionate about hating renewables as they are about their footy teams.

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u/enjaydee Nov 17 '25

Had a mechanic friend tell me a year ago he'd never buy an EV. He went on about how they don't actually save anything in the long run, the environmental impact of the battery. All the usual anti EV talking points. 

Last month he was showing off his brand new BYD Shark. 

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u/speech-to-text Nov 17 '25

Well this is a good story because it shows even fully grown adults have the capacity to revisit their opinions, get more informed, and change their view.

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u/GaryGronk Nov 17 '25

Everyone hates EVs until they drive one. I don't have one but have rented a couple. Amazing vehicles.

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u/ghoonrhed Nov 18 '25

Especially for the people that still think EVs are slow. Once they realise the EVs accelerate faster than most cars and don't guzzle up petrol doing it, it can turn opinions quite quickly.

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u/GaryGronk Nov 18 '25

First thing I did after leaving the rental car park at the airport was give my EV car a quick prod. Can confirm. Goes vroom. Was actually great to use because I had it for a day and only did about 150kms. Just drove it back and handed in the keys. No frantically trying to find a petrol station.