00:02When Mustansia Malki bought his first EV in February, he was told he'd receive a $5,000 cashback by the
00:09end of March.
00:10He planned to use that money to install a home charger, but the money still hasn't been paid.
00:15It's really tiring for me because if the free charger is available, I have to go there, place my car,
00:21and I can't sit for hours in the car.
00:24It's his first new car and first electric vehicle.
00:28He was told about the offer by a colleague who was also attracted by the sales incentive.
00:33It was really frustrating because $5,000 is a big money, of course.
00:37It is hitting you financially and it was something that was promised.
00:40The ABC has seen emails from customers trying to get their money since January.
00:45The battle complicated by a legal dispute between Australian distributor True EV and the carmaker Xpeng Motors.
00:52They just kept on saying, oh, we understand your frustration.
00:55You know those template emails that come out?
00:58They just kept on sending those emails.
01:01On the day of the interview with the ABC, Mr Shirazi received a $5,000 goodwill payment from Xpeng Motors
01:07and was asked to sign an agreement to stop him from talking to the media.
01:12He didn't sign.
01:13That's my freedom.
01:14I'm an Australian and I want that freedom.
01:17The surge in demand in electric vehicles is seeing brands enter at rates never seen before.
01:23And with so much choice on the market, one advocacy group is urging buyers to do their due diligence.
01:29It's worth sort of looking at are they becoming True Distributor or are they a factory backed operation.
01:34And a bit of research on the Facebook groups with those owners would give you some of those answers.
01:39The association says Xpeng customers should eventually get their money.
01:43It's very rare that we get into a situation where those incentives aren't fulfilled.
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