Buying an EV

A practical guide for Victorian buyers

1. Your driving needs

• Daily distance Most people drive well under 100 km a day. Compare that with a car's real-world range, which is typically 10-30% below the official figure.
• Long trips If you regularly drive long distances, check that fast chargers exist along your routes.
• Towing and loads Towing can cut range by 30-50%. Check the car's towing rating if you need it.
• Climate Cold weather, extreme heat, high speeds and hilly terrain all reduce range.

2. Charging

• Home charging is the biggest factor in whether an EV works well. Most charging (often 80%+) happens at home overnight, and it's the cheapest option.
• Charging speeds
  • Standard wall outlet: about 2-3 kW (slow, adds roughly 10-15 km of range per hour)
  • Home wall charger (AC): about 7-11 kW (a full charge overnight)
  • Public DC fast charging: 50-350 kW (typically 20-40 minutes for 10-80%)
• Renters and apartment dwellers Check whether you can install a charger, or whether workplace or nearby public charging is realistic.
• Connector compatibility Confirm the car's plug type matches the chargers you'll use.
• Charging networks Check coverage, reliability and pricing for the networks near you, since public charging costs can be several times higher than home charging.

3. Costs

• Purchase price EVs often cost more upfront, but the gap is narrowing.
• Running costs Electricity is usually cheaper per km than petrol or diesel, especially with off-peak or solar charging. Servicing is generally cheaper too, with no oil changes and fewer moving parts.
• Incentives Check current Victorian Government rebates, tax benefits, stamp duty or registration concessions, and any new road-user charges. These change often.
• Insurance Premiums can be higher because of repair costs, so get quotes first.
• Depreciation and resale Resale values for EVs are still volatile, and rapid technology change affects older models.
• Total cost of ownership Compare the full cost over 5-8 years, not just the sticker price.

4. Battery

• Warranty Look for 8 years or 160,000 km as a common standard, and check what capacity retention is guaranteed (often 70%).
• Degradation Modern batteries typically lose a few percent of capacity every few years, though this depends on use.
• Battery type LFP batteries tolerate frequent 100% charging and tend to last longer. NMC batteries offer more energy density and are usually best charged to about 80% for daily use.
• Replacement cost Out-of-warranty replacement can be expensive, so check the warranty terms carefully, especially for used cars.

5. Choosing a model

• Range vs. battery size A bigger battery costs more and weighs more, so match it to your needs rather than buying the maximum.
• Efficiency Check kWh per 100 km. A more efficient car costs less to run and charges faster in practice.
• Charging speed Peak charge rate and the shape of the charging curve matter more than headline numbers.
• Features to look for Heat pump (better winter efficiency), vehicle-to-load (V2L) or vehicle-to-home capability, and over-the-air updates.
• Safety ratings and software Check independent crash ratings and read owner reviews about the infotainment and app experience.

6. Buying new vs. used

• Used EVs can be good value, but ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining warranty, and confirm the charging cable and accessories are included.
• Leasing and subscriptions can reduce risk if you're unsure about the technology, though the total cost may be higher.

7. Maintenance and support

• Servicing Check that service centres and qualified technicians are accessible near you.
• Tyres EVs are heavy and torquey, so tyres wear faster. Budget for replacements.
• Roadside assistance Confirm whether it covers EVs, including towing to a charger.

8. Environmental considerations

• Lifetime emissions EVs generally have lower lifetime emissions than petrol cars, even after accounting for battery manufacturing. The benefit depends on how clean your electricity grid is.
• Battery recycling and second life Systems are still developing, so it's worth asking the manufacturer about its end-of-life approach.

9. Pre-purchase checklist

• Do I have reliable home or workplace charging?
• Does the real-world range cover my typical week with a buffer?
• Have I compared 5-year total cost against a petrol or hybrid option?
• Have I checked current incentives and charges?
• Have I taken a test drive and tested the charging experience?
• Do I understand the battery warranty and service support?
• Have I got insurance quotes?

Tip: Incentives, charging networks and model availability change quickly, so verify details with official Victorian Government and manufacturer sources before you commit.