What electric vehicle is right for me?

EVs are vehicles with an electric motor that are partially or completely powered by electricity. There are 4 main types of EVs including battery EVs, plug-in hybrids, hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. 

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

BEVs are 100% powered by electricity and have no tailpipe emissions.  

They have an electric motor and a large battery that can be recharged by plugging into an external electricity source. The battery can also be recharged while the car is driving through regenerative braking.

Because of the simplicity and reliability of the electric motor, BEVs have lower running costs than a standard petrol or diesel vehicle.


Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

PHEVs have two different motors – an internal combustion engine fuelled by petrol or diesel, and a battery-powered electric motor that can be charged from an external electricity source. 

PHEVs can be recharged by plugging into an external electricity source and also refuelled at petrol stations. They can be recharged while driving by the internal combustion engine, and through regenerative braking.

Learn more

Most PHEVs start in electric mode and switch to the petrol/diesel engine once the power stored in the battery is used. Some models can travel 15km on the electric engine alone, while newer models can travel 60km.  

During heavy acceleration, like when driving up a steep hill, both motors work together. PHEVs can also be recharged while you are driving by the internal combustion engine and through regenerative braking meaning that the range of the electric motor can increase while driving.

 

Conventional Hybrids

Conventional hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, do not plug in to an external power source to recharge. 

Hybrids have both an electric and petrol motor and are more fuel efficient than a petrol or diesel car. This is because power for their electric motor is generated by recapturing the energy used when braking or from electricity generated by the engine. 

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCEVs)

HFCEVs convert compressed hydrogen into electricity to power an electric motor and, like BEVs, have zero tailpipe emissions. 

While some HFCEVs are being trialled in Australia they are currently not available for sale to the general public. 

It is expected that while this technology would generally be more expensive, it will offer the advantages of longer operating ranges, lighter weight and rapid refuelling capability. These capabilities will aid long distance freight operations, busses and some light passenger vehicle trips.

Comparing the standard vehicle to an electric vehicle


EVs for sale in Australia 

While EVs can be more expensive to purchase than their equivalent petrol and diesel vehicle, they are cheaper to run. 

If you look at the total cost of operation, they could be a more cost-effective option.

Available electric vehicles

View all of the battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) currently available in Australia

Total cost of ownership

Find out how much it costs to own and drive an EV