Electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are fun to drive, cheap to run, low maintenance and help the environment.
28% of Ku-ring-gai's greenhouse gas emissions come from transport. Owning an EV can help to address this problem. Read the full report on local emissions.
The latest statistics show that the demand for electric vehicles will accelerate dramatically in the next few years - it's already outpacing petrol and diesel vehicles. Ku-ring-gai has one of the highest uptakes of electric vehicles in NSW.
What is an electric vehicle?
Electric vehicles (EVs) refer to cars or other vehicles with motors that are powered by electricity rather than petrol or diesel.
The most common type of EV is a battery EV (BEV) or ‘plug-in’ EV which are powered only by electricity and are charged using an external electrical charging outlet.
The second most common are plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs). These are powered by a combination of electricity and petrol. They can be charged using a plug but also contain an internal combustion engine that uses petrol.
More information on the types of EVs can be found on the ARENA website.
What are the benefits of an EV*?
- Reduced fuel costs
- Lower maintenance costs
- Reduced air pollution (with associated health benefits)
- An improved driving experience
- Greenhouse gas emissions can be eliminated if EVs are charged using renewable energy.
*Information sourced from ARENA.
What about cost?
An EV is cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel vehicle. Driving an average distance of 33 km per day for a week will add around $15 per week to your electricity bill to charge a Tesla Model 3.
Tip: If you use solar panels or are on a lower electricity rate, this will be even cheaper!
Estimate the cost of owning an EV withfree tools compiled by the Electric Vehicle Council.
What about range?
In NSW, the average distance travelled by vehicle per day is 33 km (based on annual mileage of 12,000 km per vehicle). This is less than 10% of the average range of EVs, meaning you’ll have plenty of charge left after your daily commute or to run errands and still have enough for the rest of the week.
What about charging?
The first thing to consider is where you will mainly charge your EV: at home, at work, or at public chargers.
Charging at home
The cheapest and most convenient place for most is to charge your electric vehicle at home.
What time is the best time to charge?
The best and cheapest time to charge your car is when the sun is out, especially if you have rooftop solar PV.
Tip: Your solar PV system may be able to automatically charge your EV with excess solar. Talk to your installer to find out if this is available for you.
No solar? Charging in the middle of the day still means you are more likely to be using renewable energy from the grid and creating the least emissions.
The next best time is to charge overnight from about 11pm. You can set this up by:
- setting up a preferred charging time via your EV
- installing a smart charger that can manage this for you
- manually plugging in your EV at the right time of day.
The worst time to charge is in the evening right after you’ve come home from work. This creates problems for the grid, which in the long term, increases electricity prices and creates the most emissions.
Check your electricity plan
Some electricity retailers now offer EV electricity plans or time of use plans which reward you for charging at certain times. Note you will need a smart or interval meter to be eligible for these plans.
Visit Energy Made Easy for free and independent price comparisons on current retailer offerings.
Do I need a dedicated charger?
If you charge regularly at home you might want to consider buying a smart EV charger. Using a dedicated 7 kW at-home charger will top up the typical daily commute in less than one night’s sleep – perfect for charging overnight. See this guide from the Electric Vehicle Council.
A list of charging infrastructure providers can also be found on the Electric Vehicle Council website.
Charging in apartments
You will need to check with your landlord or body corporate on what EV charging infrastructure is available. Apartment blocks in the Ku-ring-gai local government area can apply for a Smart Unit Rebate for the installation of EV chargers.
Council is currently working on how we can support residents in apartment complexes to improve accessibility to charging infrastructure.
Ku-ring-gai EV charging
Charging away from home
There are several locations available in Ku-ring-gai to charge your EV. PlugShare is free to use and can show you where you can find a public charging station.
Locations of public chargers in Ku-ring-gai are below:
Chargers will soon be installed at:
EVs for business
Converting your fleet to electric may seem overwhelming. We’ve outlined the key steps to help you transition:
- Electric vehicle infrastructure plan. How and where will you charge your vehicles? Make sure you have a plan to charge vehicles before purchasing.
- Electric vehicle transition plan. What are your vehicle needs? There are many electric vehicles now available that service a range of requirements.
The Better Business Partnership (BBP) program offers a rebate of up to $2,000 for businesses towards the installation of a shared electric car charging station. Find out more on how we support your business’s transition to electric vehicles and becoming a more sustainable business.
Get started
Council policies and strategies
Need help?
Please contact our Sustainability Engagement Officer via email or phone on 9424 0172.