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EV Fact sheet, Updated July 2025
Types of EV
Types of EV
BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle
Fully electric, no other fuel. Fewer moving parts than ICE (Internal Combusion Engine), so lower maintenance.
PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid
Greater range. Can operate as fully electric but can also use conventional fuel to generate electricity and recharge the battery as needed. Rechargeable with either fuel. Smaller battery than BEV's, so tends to be lighter and cheaper to buy, but higher maintenance.
Typical use is fully electric for weekly commute, up to 40km between charges, but mostly fossil fuel for longer trips.
HEV - Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Smallest Battery. Only refuelled with petrol/Diesel. Some operate the same way as a PHEV, others drive directly with a conventional motor, using the electric motor as an assist.
Does improve mileage, but rarely as much as claimed.
Available models
Available models
There are now over 90 models in Australia. Of BEVs, popular models run from $27,000 with 130km range to $100,000 and 500km range.
Level 1 AC ‘trickle' charging at 2.4kW only needs a household power outlet.
Kerbside public chargers are generally level 2 AC, from 7-22kW. Can also be installed at home.
Highway service stations provide level 3 DC, 25-350kW, or even 1000kW, but the actual charge rate may be limited by the vehicle.
The range added by a given charge depends the vehicle's efficiency, the nature of the route and the driving style.
When to charge from Grid power
When to charge from Grid power
Many EV owners will find it convenient to charge overnight. In NSW, if not on green power, nearly 90% of that would come from fossil fuel.
Charging at home, you can arrange for a Controlled Load circuit providing cheap power during the day, much of it from solar.
Route Planning
Route Planning
We recommend A Better Route Planner for long journeys
Plugshare is better for finding nearby public chargers
Running cost for BEV v. ICE
Running cost for BEV v. ICE
The figures below are based on July 2025 petrol & power prices in Sydney.
Battery life
Battery life
A typical battery warranty is for 70% full charge for 8-10 years, up to 160,000km. But they are designed to last 10-20 years.
When past being fit for an EV, the batteries still have value as domestic batteries.
Lifecycle Greenhouse Emissions
Lifecycle Greenhouse Emissions
Manufacturing emissions are usually higher for EVs because of the batteries, but some makers use renewables.
Fuel emissions depend on the electricity source.
Rooftop solar or Green power from grid: 0.
Regular grid power: depends on season and time of day of charging.
Night: nearly 90% coal
Midday winter: about 50% coal
Midday summer: about 20-30% coal
Lifecycle emissions
The manufacture and running footprints for a mid range EV, as percentages of the lifecycle emissions of an equivalent ICE vehicle:
Further reading: Electric Vehicle Council
Other pollution
Other pollution
NOx (oxides of nitrogen, causes of smog)
None on the road. Some from electricity generation if it is from coal.
PM10, PM2.5 (particulates)
None in the exhaust.
The regenerative braking lessens brake wear.
The greater weight of EVs means some more particulates from road and tyre wear, though less than the total particulates from an ICE vehicle. The high torque will wear your tyres out faster if you drive sportily.
Further reading: OECD report 2020
Recycling
Recycling
At end of life, there are technologies for recycling 98% of the battery.
Other resources
Other resources
NRMA EV hub - Includes EV reviews
RACQ - Electric vehicle FAQs, news and reviews
NSW EV strategy - Grants for public and apartment block chargers
National EV Strategy - Australian Federal Government policies
The DRIVEN - the most comprehensive Australian website on EVs and eBikes
Rewiring Australia – from Saul Griffith’s community
Electrify_this - Instagram page by Inner West resident Sarah Aubrey
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Google Sites
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