Whether you’re looking for environmental benefits, or to benefit your back pocket, you’ll find reasons to be happy about getting an electric vehicle (EV).
With recent advances in EV battery technology and the rise of lower-cost models, the global electric vehicle market is in an exciting period of growth. Because of this, owning an EV in Australia is now more accessible than ever.
Here are some reasons why you might consider making your next car an EV.
In general, EVs cost less to charge (per km) than petrol or diesel cars cost to fill so you can expect some decent savings in running costs. These are based on things like average fuel prices, kilometres driven and electricity price where you choose to charge.
Climate Council research says the average new petrol car in Australia uses around 6.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres and a Compare the Market survey revealed that Australians drove an average of 15,668 km per year in 2023. With fuel prices averaging $1.94 per litre in the last three months of that year across our five largest cities, a quick calculation shows that a typical motorist spends around $2097 on fuel per year. An average EV, on the other hand, uses around 17 kilowatt hours to travel 100 kilometres.
If we assume an electricity price of 33 cents per kWh*, a typical EV driver would have an annual energy cost of $878 – that’s $1218 less than what we estimated for a typical petrol car.
*These figures are for demonstrative purposes only. The actual electricity rate depends on the customer’s home energy plan rate(s) and how much they charge at home as opposed to via public charging stations, which attract higher fees. If you are interested to estimate the potential running cost savings for your circumstances, you can check out AGL’s Electrify Now estimator tool.
There are plenty of affordable EVs on the market today and the costs to run and maintain your car is usually less. Calculate the difference between running costs of a petrol car and an EV with these tools.
EVs have far fewer moving parts than conventional cars. This means increased reliability and around 40% lower ongoing maintenance costs.
There’s no need to change oil, replace belts or flush coolants in an EV. You even use the brakes less, because of regenerative braking. This is when the electric motor slows the car down while adding charge back to the battery. So you’re essentially using your brakes less and saving your brake pads.
With an electric car, there’s no need to change oil, replace belts or flush coolants. You even use the brakes less, because of regenerative braking.
Enjoy a different driving experience
Forget what you know about driving, or being a passenger! EVs offer a whole new ride.
With no combustion engine under the hood, you won’t feel any vibrations and or hear engine noise. This doesn’t affect the performance though, with EV drivers reporting great power and driveability. And with zero exhaust fumes, there’s no risk of breathing in dangerous carbon monoxide, even when the car is running. Things like oil leaks are a thing of the past, and there’s a bunch of app-controlled tech to keep you comfortable, like making sure the car is warm or cool enough before you get in.
Read about our own team members' experience as they drove an EV from Melbourne to Sydney.
If you’re one of the four million (and counting!) Australian households who have installed rooftop solar panels, you already benefit from producing and using the energy you generate. So what happens when you add an EV into the mix?
If you charge your EV at home during the day, your EV running costs will be even less as you’re making the most out of prime, solar energy-producing hours. Plus you’ll be scoring more green points by charging your EV using a sustainable energy source.
The number of electric car makes and models in Australia is growing steadily. And since we saw the first EVs on our shores in 2011, the stakes in EV style have kept improving.
Whether you’re looking for something sleek or a people mover to get the family from A to B, you’ll be excited by the range of electric vehicles now available that are more stylish and affordable.
A few models we’re excited about include the Kia EV5 SUV, BYD Seal sedan and MG4 in the hatch category. As manufacturers scale up their investment in Australia, we’re continuing to see the range and tech in EVs improve, while prices go down. Exciting times for Aussie drivers!
If you’re in the market to purchase new, there’s options for most price points. New electric vehicles range from $30,000 to over $400,000. But that’s not the only option, an AGL EV subscription is an easy and convenient way to get into an EV and find one that suits your needs.
It’s estimated that, by 2028, electric cars will cost about the same as a petrol or diesel car. For now it’s already worth considering the bigger picture cost savings when deciding what will be your next daily drive.
Wondering if an EV is the right choice for you? AGL has the expertise and energy to get you charged up and ready to go.
