Find your first EV

Answer 5 quick questions and we'll explain the important stuff along the way. At the end you get a shortlist of cars worth test driving.

Range Charging Budget Body type Priorities

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The basics

Five things that cover most of what first-time buyers want to know.

How far will it actually go?

You'll see a "WLTP range" number on every EV. That's the lab test result. In real life, expect about 75 to 90 percent of that. If you're driving 40 km a day, a 350 km car will never leave you stranded.

You charge it like a phone

Most EV owners just plug in at home overnight. A normal power point gives you about 15 km per hour of charge. A 7 kW wall charger does about 40 km per hour. You wake up full every morning. Easy.

Fast charging on road trips

DC fast chargers give you 200+ km of range in 20 to 30 minutes. Chargefox, Evie, BP Pulse, and Tesla Supercharger all have stations along the major highways between capital cities.

Cheaper to run than you think

Electricity costs about 5 to 8 cents per km. Petrol costs 15 to 20 cents. That adds up to $1,500 to $3,000 in fuel savings per year. Servicing is cheaper too since there's no oil to change and brakes last longer.

Check the brand before you buy

Some newer EV brands are Chinese-owned (BYD, MG, GWM). Safety is fine, but look into how many dealers and service centres are near you, what the warranty covers, and how long they've been selling in Australia.

Common questions

Stuff people always ask.

Can I charge if I live in an apartment?▼

It's harder but not impossible. Some buildings already have chargers or let you install one. Otherwise you'll rely on public chargers, which works but takes more effort. Worth thinking about before you buy.

What happens to the battery after 10 years?▼

They hold up well. Most lose about 2 to 3 percent capacity per year, so after 10 years you've still got 80 to 85 percent of the original range. Warranties usually cover 8 years or 160,000 km.

Can I do road trips in an EV?▼

Yep. A 600 km trip in a long-range EV might need one fast charge stop for about 20 minutes. Apps like PlugShare and ABRP plan the stops for you.

Do I need to install a special charger at home?▼

Every EV comes with a cable that plugs into a normal power point. That's fine for most people. A 7 kW wall charger ($800 to $2,000 installed) is worth it if you're driving more than 80 km a day.

Are there government incentives?▼

Yes. The big one is the FBT exemption for novated leases. Some states also waive stamp duty on EVs. It changes a lot, so check your state's current incentives page before you buy.

What does kWh mean?▼

Think of it like the size of the fuel tank. A bigger battery (more kWh) means more range. But efficiency matters too. A 77 kWh battery in an efficient car will go further than a 100 kWh battery in a heavy one.

Want to learn more?

We've got guides on home charging, battery types, charging networks, and all the jargon.

Browse all guides →