For practical guidance on buying, owning, and maintaining EVs, as well as information on installing charging infrastructure and locating public EV chargers, visit the Australian government electric vehicles website: ev.gov.au

The Electric Vehicle Council provides up to date informaton on electric vehicles in Australia, including available models, coste calculators, charging options and more.

The Australian Electric Vehicle Association also has a range of resources about buying and charging electric vehicles, and provides periodic events where community members can test drive a range of vehicles.

Australia has comprehensive road vehicle standards that ensure that all vehicles, regardless of fuel type, meet strict requirements for safety, design and manufacturing.

All EVs in Australia must comply with the same rules, including the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) which set national standards for vehicle safety, emissions, anti-theft performance and more.

Additionally, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), which rates vehicle safety, has awarded 5-star ratings (the highest rating available) to a variety of EV models. You can find more information about the specific EV models on the ANCAP Safety Ratings website.

Some reasons for high safety ratings of EVs include:

• Vehicles with high ride heights and off-road suspension tuning typically don’t handle or brake as well as urban passenger vehicles or SUVs designed for sealed roads.
• Most EVs have heavy batteries that are placed low to the ground, making these EVs less likely to roll than a petrol or diesel car with the same ride height.
• EVs often feature the latest technology to improve safety, such as:
  • driver assistance programs (lane guidance, automated braking systems)
  • energy-absorbent materials
  • state-of-the-art seatbelt and air-bag set-ups.

EV batteries are energy dense and just like a tank of petrol or diesel, are flammable. However, EV battery fires are in fact rare.

Electric vehicle (EV) fires are an emerging area of operational response. While incidents are currently considered low in frequency, Australia does not maintain a comprehensive national dataset specific to EV fire events. EV fires can present different hazards compared to conventional vehicle fires, and emergency services are trained and equipped to manage these incidents safely.

Research shows that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are more likely to catch fire than EVs. One reason is that EV battery technology is specifically designed to prevent thermal runaway. Further, if a spark of flame is encountered, while gasoline ignites immediately, lithium-ion batteries take longer to reach the necessary heat for ignition, significantly lowering the risk of causing a fire or explosion.

For more information on EV battery fires, visit the Australian government Electric Vehicles website

The Statewide EV charging network, managed by RAA now makes it simple to explore South Australia in your electric car. With over 140 charging stations across the state, you'll never be far from your next charge whether you're commuting around Adelaide or exploring regional South Australia.

There are also numerous other public EV charging stations available, including in regional areas, making interstate and long-distance travel easier. You can find them via your favourite online EV charging apps such as Plugshare, Chargefox, Evie, myNRMA, ABRP, Jolt and some Open Charge map integrations.

In South Australia – and across Australia – electric vehicles are available in a wide range of price points to suit different budgets. In 2025, mainstream small EVs were selling around the $30,000 range, making them price-competitive with equivalent internal combustion (ICE) vehicles. This is thanks to declining battery costs and increased competition as noted in local industry forecasts.

Out to 2030, the EV market is projected to expand significantly bringing both greater volume and further cost reductions across different vehicle segments and price brackets.

The Australian Government's Electric Car Discount can also help reduce the upfront cost of an EV. Refer to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website for more information regarding the Electric Car Discount (FBT exemptions for EVs)

Other Australian government policies such as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), and national infrastructure investments, will continue to enhance affordability and availability in Australia.

Yes.

EVs have now reached cost parity with their equivalent ICE vehicles in just about every sector, and this is expected to only improve over time. This means the purchase price is similar.

Low interest finance is available for low emission vehicles from many institutions, often at a lower cost to ICE vehicles.

Running costs are dramatically cheaper, due to lower energy costs, greater efficiency and less waste.

Fun fact: Did you know that a conventional ICE vehicle is only able to convert approximately 25% of the energy in the fuel (petrol/diesel) into motive force? The rest is lost to heat, noise and by-products. By comparison, an EV is able to convert around 90% of the energy in the battery to motive force.

Charging costs vs filling costs

In the same way a conventional petrol or diesel car fuel cost are calculated on the price of fuel and its efficiency or tank size, the same applies to EVs. However, instead of L/100 km x price of fuel, EVs use kWh/100 km x price of electricity.

The price of electricity may range from 0.00$/kWh, if the owner has access to solar generation, to $0.85/kWh at rapid public changers. These costs are shown in the table below as a further example.

Electric vehicle charging costs

*   based on an average EV efficiency of 15 kWh/100 km
** based on an average EV battery size of 50 kWh

There may also be the opportunity to charge at the workplace during the shoulder period (solar sponge), further saving running costs.

Maintenance costs

Most manufacturers offer servicing in the same method as conventional cars.

However, given that there are far fewer moving parts, there is far less to maintain. A traditional internal combustion engine drivetrain has around 2,500 moving parts, with EVs generally having around 25 (or 100 times less). The less moving parts there are, the less to wear and therefore maintain/replace.

This typically results in lower servicing costs. The servicing intervals are typically larger too, meaning less frequent service appointments. Servicing will generally include brake systems check, cabin filter change, tyre check, washer fluid top up, along with safety checks.

Smart EV charging refers to an intelligent charging system that optimises when and how electric vehicles are charged based on real-time data and user preferences. It typically involves:

• Dynamic scheduling – Charging is adjusted according to electricity prices, grid demand, and renewable energy availability to minimise cost and emissions.
• Two-way communication – The charger communicates with the EV, the grid, and sometimes home energy systems to manage load efficiently.
• User control and automation – Drivers can set preferences (for example, desired charge level by departure time) while the system automates the process for convenience and efficiency.

V2L is a feature found on many EVs that allows the user to access main power via the main HV battery and onboard inverter, to provide 230 V at up to 3.6 kW. Typically, this involves an adapter or cable that either plugs into the external charge port of the vehicle, or via a domestic 3 pin plug inside the vehicle.

Uses can include;

• camping gear
• power tools
• coffee machines
• laptops

This technology can also provide power during outages at home or while away on the road.

V2G is a technology allowing capable electric vehicles (EVs) to discharge stored energy back into the electricity grid. This means your EV can act as a distributed energy resource, helping to:

• Support grid stability during peak demand.
• Provide backup power or ancillary services.
• Enable better integration of renewable energy.

V2H enables an EV to supply power directly to a home or building. This is often used for:

• Backup power during outages. An EV battery is typically 4 times bigger than a typical home battery and has the ability to power a typical home for many days during an extreme weather outage event.
• Reducing reliance on the grid during peak times.
• Optimising energy use with solar and battery systems.

Both V2G and V2H rely on bidirectional charging technology both within the EV chargers and vehicle, which allows energy to flow both into and out of the EV battery.

Through recent updates to Australian Standards (AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 - Standards Australia and AS/NZS 4777.2.2024) bi-directional charging including V2G is now permitted in some Australian jurisdictions like South Australia, noting each device is subject to approval by the relevant network operator. The Standard now includes provisions for V2G (AC Mode 3 and DC Mode 4); AS/NZS 4777.2 required for export compliance from February 2025.

AS/NZS 4777.2 (Australia) regulates grid-connected inverter systems, including V2G/V2H inverters onboard EVs; mandatory for Australian installations since August 2025.

ISO 15118 (especially Part 20): an International Standard that defines EV–charger communication for bi-directional AC/DC power transfer, Plug Charge, and smart charging – critical for combined charging system 2 port (CCS2) vehicles to negotiate power profiles.

Yes. SA Power Networks supports bidirectional charging, including V2G and V2H. They describe these technologies as recognised and enabled on their network. SA Power Networks was the first electricity distributor in Australia to allow V2G chargers to connect outside of trial conditions. No exemption or trial participation is required if all technical requirements are met.

V2G and V2H installations must meet relevant standards and compliance requirements, including having an approved bidirectional inverter on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) list.

Further details are summarised on the SA Power Networks website: Bidirectional and V2G charging on the network.

No. EV purchase subsidies for new battery electric or hydrogen cell fuel vehicles in South Australia ended on 1 January 2024.

Under the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) rebates are available for connecting a new or existing EV charger to an approved demand response (DR) aggregator.

• Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS)
• Connection to a new or existing EV charger to an approved DR aggregator (residential or small energy consuming customer only)

Refer to the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) to find a list of activity providers that provide this service. As activities offered can change at any time, we encourage contacting any of the listed activity providers to determine whether they offer this activity.

• ESCOSA REPS obliged retailers and activity providers

The South Australian Government is also a project partner of the SA Power Networks led Energy Masters project, which is supporting households to install EV smart chargers as part of a research project.

• Energy Masters website

The National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 mandates EV-readiness in Class 2 to 9 buildings.

While the NCC does not mandate EV charger installations, it requires infrastructure supporting the future installation of EV charging equipment to be provided.

You can find out which classification your building is on the Australian Building Codes Board website.

• National Construction Code (NCC) 2022
• Australian Building Codes Board: Building classifications

In South Australia, formal approval from the Owners Corporation or Strata Corporation is required for installing EV chargers in apartments or strata complexes.

The South Australian government welcomes new business and investment in future technologies.

The Department of State Development's startup ecosystem supports the establishment and growth of local startups by connecting founders with the tools, knowledge and resources required to accelerate business success.

The department has also established the Research and Innovation Fund (RIF), a strategic fund that invests in the entire South Australian research and innovation value chain, aligned to the state’s priority industry sectors.

• South Australia’s startup ecosystem | Department of State Development
• Research and Innovation Fund | Department of State Development

South Australia has one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world to charge from, with renewable sources such as wind and solar power often providing more than 100% of the state’s electricity supply. Likewise, the transport sector plays a critical role in reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. As of March 2025, transport accounted for 39% of South Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Decarbonising the transport sector is integral to addressing climate change. It will help us meet our targets of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Over the full lifetime of a vehicle, emissions from EVs are already significantly lower than those from comparable petrol or diesel vehicles. Once manufactured, BEVs produce zero tailpipe emissions. When charged using renewable energy, the environmental and financial costs of powering an EV are even lower, further reducing emissions. It is estimated that an EV can offset the emissions from its production – its ‘carbon debt’ – within 2 years of use.

You can learn more about the emissions of your vehicle on the  Green Vehicle Guide website.

A major benefit of electric vehicles is reduced or zero exhaust pollution.

Increasing EVs on our roads has major benefits to protecting  your health and the environment by reducing carbon emissions, noise and air pollution.

Learn more about electric vehicles and the environment on the Australian Government website:

• Electric vehicles and the environment

Electric vehicle batteries, also known as EV battery packs or high voltage EV batteries are not designed to be removed, serviced, dismantled. These larger lithium-ion batteries cannot be recycled through household battery drop-off pathways and require licensed expert handling.

Householders, mechanics, crash repairers and scrap metal dealers should contact the vehicle manufacturer directly for advice before attempting to remove, service or dismantle an EV battery.

Standard lithium-ion batteries found in many household rechargeable products must be handled through specific recycling pathways and must never be placed in any household, recycling or organics bin because of the risk of fire.

Householders should visit Green Industries SA website to find their nearest free, government-licensed embedded battery drop-off location:

• Green Industries battery drop-off sites

For all other loose batteries. visit the B-cycle website to find the nearest B-cycle battery recycling location and a list of accepted batteries:

• B-cycle drop-off locations