Is DRIV a good ETF?
DRIV is the BetaShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility ETF from BetaShares. It tracks the Solactive Future Mobility Index. We classify it under Intl and Thematic. With about $16 million in assets it is a relatively small fund (worth checking spreads and liquidity before buying).
On a total-return basis, DRIV has delivered 5.48% a year over 3 years (ranked 179th of 236 ETFs we track) and 4.06% a year over 1 year (ranked 169th of 318 ETFs we track). It has trailed most comparable ETFs over the periods we measure, so look closely at whether its strategy fits what you're after.
The management fee of 0.67% is on the higher side. For comparison, similar ETFs average around 0.46%. If cost is your priority, VGS (0.18%) and IOO (0.4%) cover similar ground for less. It pays a low 0.86% yield, so most of its return must come from capital growth.
Over the past 3 years its volatility has been elevated (annualised standard deviation around 17.8%), meaning noticeably larger swings than the broad market. Its 3-year Sharpe ratio of 0.16 is weak — that's the return it has earned per unit of risk taken (higher is better).
Things to watch
- Has lagged most peers over 3 years (179th of 236).
- Pricier than similar ETFs, which average around 0.46%.
- Cheaper alternatives exist: VGS and IOO.
- Weak risk-adjusted returns (3-year Sharpe ratio 0.16).
- Highly concentrated single-theme bet — keep the position size small.
Good to know
- Low 0.86% yield — this is a growth-oriented fund, not an income play.
What DRIV's categories mean for you
How each category this ETF belongs to tends to behave across market cycles.
Global and international shares from outside Australia — broadening you into thousands of companies and the sectors (tech, healthcare) the local market lacks.
- Market regime
- Essential diversification away from the bank-and-resources-heavy ASX. Unhedged versions carry currency risk; hedged versions remove it at a small cost.
- In a portfolio
- A core holding for almost every long-term Australian portfolio.
A concentrated bet on a single trend — AI, battery tech, cybersecurity, robotics and the like. High conviction, high concentration, and often high fees.
- Market regime
- Frequently launched after a theme is already hot, which has historically been a poor entry point. Expect very large swings in both directions.
- In a portfolio
- A small satellite position at most. Treat it as a speculative tilt, never as a core holding.
General information only, generated from the fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.