Electric vehicles

Save fuel

The average Australian drives 15,000 km and spends $2,160 on petrol per year. Charging an EV for this distance costs around $600, saving $1,500 a year. You have the security of charging at any power point.

Less maintenance

An electric vehicle has fewer moving parts than a regular car, so there’s less to go wrong, less time in the workshop, and cheaper maintenance.

Breathe easy

Exhaust pollution causes over 1,700 deaths and health costs of approx. $3.3 billion in Australia each year. Switching to an electric vehicle helps all of us.^*

^* Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (2005), Health Impacts of transport emissions in Australia

“I love my Nissan Leaf! Australian cars have high-polluting fuels, increasing heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer. In my EV, so far I’ve done 15,000 km of pollution-free driving! I have rooftop solar and a battery and I charge at home. I spent $190 for house and car electricity in the last quarter, previously I’ve spent $450 per quarter on petrol alone.”

Dr Kim Loo, from Doctors for the Environment

Petrol v. Electric

Electric cars cost much less to run and maintain than petrol or diesel cars. The Electric Vehicle Council has a handy calculator to compare, and the Green Vehicle Guide can tell you how your car rates in terms of emissions. As for performance, there’s no contest.

Which car?

The Electric Vehicle Council lists all the electric vehicles you can buy in Australia. There are more than you might think. The Australian Electric Vehicle Association publishes fact sheets comparing range and availability.

- Pick your next car
- Compare features

A more affordable EV?

We’re excited to introduce the Good Car Company who are importing affordable recent model Nissan Leafs and Nissan eNV200 electric vans from Japan using a community bulk buy model.

“Best car I’ve ever driven. The running costs are virtually zero. It’s great value for money and it’s good fun to drive.”

Matt Kean, NSW Energy and Environment Minister, Renew Economy Podcast

What about carbon emissions?

Electric cars make up for their higher manufacturing emissions within eighteen months of driving*. They have no exhaust fumes, just clean, quiet, emissions-free driving.

*Union of Concerned Scientists

How do I charge my electric car?

80% of people recharge at home using a standard plug or a fast charger. If you need to fill up while you’re on the road there’s an app for that. PlugShare will find your nearest charging station and even help you plan your trip.

What next?

Read our FAQs below.
Come to one of our free EV events.
Chat with EV owners and check out vehicles at our regular EV Displays

Solar My Carport

Power your electric car from your carport roof:
Find out more

Get Involved!

To join our Zero Emissions Transport program working group, email Ursula at: electric@zerosydneynorth.org

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a hybrid and a battery only electric vehicle?
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid electric vehicle, with a battery that can be recharged by its on-board engine and generator, as well as by plugging it into an external source of electric power.
A battery electric vehicle (BEV) is a pure EV, or only-electric vehicle. It exclusively uses energy stored in the rechargeable battery pack.
Are EVs better for the environment?
In Australia, private cars are our main mode of transport, with more than 70% of trips taken by car. As the Australian Electric Vehicle Association explains, if you drive a car, the least-worst option is to drive an EV.

Manufacturing impact is similar, in fact currently EVs have a slightly greater impact than the equivalent size petrol or diesel car. Manufacturing a medium-sized EV produces approx 25 tons of CO2-e and 3.75 MWh of expended energy.

Operating emissions are far less. The average Australian motor vehicle travels 14,000 km per year, producing about 2700 kg of CO2 per year. EVs do not emit CO2.

University of Queensland research estimates that a typical EV charged using the average Australian electricity grid mix generates approx 50% fewer emissions compared to a typical Australian petrol or diesel car. If EVs are charged from 100% renewable energy, then charging emissions are practically zero.

For further information see the Australian Electric Vehicle Association’s detailed review of EV’s environmental impact.
How much do EVs cost?
The Australian Electric Vehicle Association has a master EV list setting out the pricing and specifications of all Australian available BEV and Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV) models.

As at 2020, the lowest-priced new EVs included the MG ZS EV and Renault Zoe from approx $47,000 and the Hyundai Ioniq electric from $53,900. The highest-priced new EVs included the Audi e-tron from $153,700 and the Tesla Model X Performance from $196,000.

The second hand market for EVs is growing. The Good Car Company lists second hand Nissan Leafs from $17,000.
Where will I charge an EV? How much will charging cost?
Approximately 80% of EV drivers charge their EV at home or work. If your home has rooftop solar then your charging costs will be substantially reduced as you are supplying some of your own energy. You can use a regular power point to charge overnight or have a dedicated car charger installed for faster top-ups.

There are more and more public chargers being installed in Australia by companies including the NRMA and ChargeFox. Public charging costs vary from free up to approx 40c per kw (as at 2020). PlugShare is an app which keeps track of all charging points around the world. It even has a built-in route planner.
Can I charge my EV using my own rooftop solar?
Yes! Combining rooftop PV with battery storage and an electric vehicle can more than halve the payback period for your home solar system, and will give you emissions-free driving.

You can also consider a Clenergy’s ezShade system which doubles as a carport and solar power station.
Which EVs are available in Australia and where can I test-drive?
The Electric Vehicle Council has a vehicle guide with a link to the website of each type of EV available in Australia.

Local EV sellers include:

Audi – Artarmon and Mosman
BMW – North Shore (Chatswood and Mosman)
Hyundai – Chatswood
Nissan – Chatswood
Tesla – Sydney CBD

Your next car should be electric – we’ll help!