Buying an electric vehicle | NSW Climate and Energy Action

Get a better driving experience with an electric vehicle that’s quieter, cleaner, smoother and cheaper.

How they work

A fully electric vehicle (EV) is powered only by a rechargeable battery rather than diesel or petrol. You charge the battery by plugging the vehicle into a power source. This can be a public charger or at home, using electricity from the grid or your own solar setup.

An EV is different to a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle (PHEV), which is still powered by a motor with a smaller rechargeable battery available.

Who it’s best for

EVs are ideal if you’re replacing or upgrading a car for personal or work use. Or, if you’ve got a business operating a fleet of vehicles.

How much you can save

$2,500

per year on petrol, compared to an equivalent petrol or diesel car (source: Electric Vehicle Council).

You can calculate potential fuel savings and emissions reductions on the Vehicle Emissions Star Rating (VESR) website.

40%

on maintenance costs.

60–100%

reduction of your operating emissions over your EV's lifetime.

How much it will cost

Pictogram of a price tag with a dollar sign

$35,000+

Costs for a new EV can vary depending on the model and range. Check and compare how much you’d pay using Transport NSW's Total Cost of Ownership Calculator.

Did you know

The cheapest way to get a new EV is often through a novated lease (a salary sacrifice through your employer). You currently don’t pay GST or Fringe Benefits Tax if the car costs under $89,332, which can save you thousands. This isn’t an option for everyone, so check with your employer and consult an accountant.

Case study

"I am saving at a minimum $2,000 a year having got rid of our old gas guzzler and replaced it with this magnificent car.
We can charge the car up from the solar panels on the roof at no cost whatsoever."
– Ken and Corinne, NSW homeowners who switched from a petrol car to an electric vehicle.

Find out how Ken and Corinne are saving with an electric vehicle

Duration: 1:01 minutes.

Video Transcript

Ken: I am saving at a minimum $2,000 a year having got rid of our old gas guzzler and replaced it with this magnificent car.

And there are plenty of charge points around New South Wales now. The NSW Government has been rolling them out. And a fast charger can put 200 km into your car in about 10 minutes. And that is because these wonderful new systems that these electric vehicles have. I can get 400 km easily from this car.

We can charge the car up from the solar panels on the roof at no cost whatsoever. So, the other thing is you do not need a specialised charge point in your garage. I just charge from the 240-volt power point. So, when the sun's up in the sky and you're producing plenty of power, you charge the car then.

So, why would you buy a petrol car when you can buy a much cheaper car that doesn't break down and costs half as much to run or nothing to run if you've got solar panels?

Get started

Choose and purchase your EV
- Consider the size and type of vehicle that fits your lifestyle, from small city cars to 4WDs and utes.
- Set a budget.
- Compare features like:
  - range
  - energy consumption
  - savings and emissions star rating
  - charging speed
  - warranty
  - servicing costs.
- Take a test drive.
- Consider how you’ll charge either at home, nearby, or on your next EV road trip.
- Once you’ve done this, purchase the EV that best suits your home or business needs.
Get the most out of your new EV
- Try to keep your battery topped up so you can travel whenever you need to. Charging your battery to 100% is safe and won’t damage it.
- Charge smart:
  - If you’ve got solar, charge your EV when the sun is shining.
  - If you use electricity from the grid, make sure you’re on the right energy plan and you charge during off peak periods.
  - Some electricity providers have specific plans for EV owners. Head to Energy Made Easy to shop around for the best plan for you or visit the Electric Vehicle Council website to read an overview of the best EV plans by state.
  - Top up your charge at places that are convenient to your weekly routine.
- Plan your journey:
  - Use apps like PlugShare and Google Maps to find charging stations along your route.
  - Use the Visit NSW website to plan EV friendly road trips across the state.
- Check if you can charge overnight at your destination.
- Carry charging cables to allow charging on the go. Useful cables to have include a ‘type 2 to type 2’ cable, and an adaptor cable to allow power point charging.
- Reduce extra weight like bikes or items on roof racks which will affect your range just as any extra weight impacts your petrol/diesel vehicle.

Resources to plan your journey

PlugShare

Find charging stations along your route with PlugShare's map.

Google Maps

Use Google Maps to find charging stations during your travels.

Visit NSW's EV Road Trips guide

Plan your EV friendly road trips across the state

More information about driving and charging EV’s

Transport for NSW's Electric Vehicles

Visit Transport for NSW’s EV page for a detailed overview of how to choose, purchase and operate an EV.

There’s currently no NSW Government incentive for EVs for households.

There’s currently no Australian Government incentive for EVs for households.

Benefits for businesses and councils

Switching to an EV or installing a charger is a smart move for your small business or council. You'll unlock funding, sharpen your competitive edge, slash running costs, and tap into a movement that’s building momentum all over the state.

Let’s summarise:

Cheaper to run: spend less on fuel and servicing.
More customers: EV drivers stop to charge and shop.
Eco-friendly action: show you care about the planet.
Future-ready: benefit from NSW’s growing EV network and new technology.

Learn more about how hosting an EV charger can benefit your business

Learn about EV fleets incentives