Zero Emissions Transport
Quiet. Exhaust fumes free. Money saving.
High performance. Low maintenance.
Discover how electric transport sets you free.
Your next vehicle should be electric – we’ll help!
Switching to electric transport could eliminate 6% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Plus we’d all enjoy cleaner, quieter communities!*
Get involved: We hold regular Electric Vehicle displays and Electric Vehicle info sessions. We welcome volunteers and we collaborate with groups, businesses and all levels of Government, contact us to organise or join an event.
* Electric Vehicle Council of Australia, 2020
Electric cars
Save fuel
The average Australian drives 15,000 km and spends $2,160 on petrol per year. Charging an EV for this distance costs around $600, saving $1,500 a year. You have the security of charging at any power point.
Less maintenance
An electric vehicle has fewer moving parts than a regular car, so there’s less to go wrong, less time in the workshop, and cheaper maintenance.
Breathe easy
Exhaust pollution causes over 1,700 deaths and health costs of approx. $3.3 billion in Australia each year. Switching to an electric vehicle helps all of us.*
* Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (2005), Health Impacts of transport emissions in Australia
“I love my Nissan Leaf! Australian cars have high-polluting fuels which are increasing heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer. Electric cars have no exhaust fumes, and with solar and a battery and charging at home, I save around $2000 a year on fuel.”
Dr Kim Loo, Doctors for the Environment
Cut your commute time
Whiz past traffic on Spit Bridge or Military Road in designated bike lanes.
Feel good
It’s exhilarating, it’s fun, it burns fat not fossil fuels, and you’re out and about in our beautiful city.
No lycra required
Cruise uphill, ride in your normal clothes and arrive looking good.
“I call my e-bike the no-sweat bike, I can commute to work in the CBD and North Sydney in work clothes.”
Lindsay, Northern Beaches commuter.
Petrol v. Electric
Electric cars cost much less to run and maintain than petrol or diesel cars. The Electric Vehicle Council has a handy calculator to compare, and the Green Vehicle Guide can tell you how your car rates in terms of emissions. As for performance, there’s no contest.
Which car?
The Electric Vehicle Council lists all the electric vehicles you can buy in Australia. There are more than you might think. The Australian Electric Vehicle Association publishes fact sheets comparing range and availability.
A more affordable EV?
We’re excited to introduce the Good Car Company who are importing affordable recent model Nissan Leafs and Nissan eNV200 electric vans from Japan using a community bulk buy model.
What about carbon emissions?
Electric cars make up for their higher manufacturing emissions within eighteen months of driving*. They have no exhaust fumes, just clean, quiet, emissions-free driving.
How do I charge my electric car?
- 80% of people recharge at home using a standard plug or a fast charger. If you need to fill up while you’re on the road there’s an app for that. PlugShare will find your nearest charging station and even help you plan your trip.
What next?
Read our FAQs below.
Come to one of our free EV events.
Chat with EV owners and check out vehicles at our regular EV Displays
“Best car I’ve ever driven. The running costs are virtually zero. It’s great value for money and it’s good fun to drive.”
Matt Kean, NSW MP and Tesla owner, Renew Economy Podcast
Electric bikes
Try before you buy
Hire an e-bike for a day or take a tour with an experienced E-bike guide. These are local companies who know the best routes.
Find an e-bike seller
Please let them know that you’re from Zero Emissions Solutions
- Energy Electric Bikes – Brookvale
- Manly Cycles – Manly
- Bike Addiction – North Manly
Is an e-bike for you?
Meet three environmental champions who have made an e-bike part of their daily life.
“Zooming off on my e-bike is a little bit of fun at the beginning and end of the working day. It gives me time to de-stress and time away from the phone.”
“There’s an e-bike out there for you, and once you go electric you’ll never look back!”
“Tackling hills on an e-bike is a breeze and very kind on my calf muscles. Ever since that first e-bike ride, I’ve found it hard to imagine going back to a non-electric bike.”
Frequently asked questions
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid electric vehicle, with a battery that can be recharged by its on-board engine and generator, as well as by plugging it into an external source of electric power.
A battery electric vehicle (BEV) is a pure EV, or only-electric vehicle. It exclusively uses energy stored in the rechargeable battery pack.
In Australia, private cars are our main mode of transport, with more than 70% of trips taken by car. As the Australian Electric Vehicle Association explains, if you drive a car, the least-worst option is to drive an EV.
Manufacturing impact is similar, in fact currently EVs have a slightly greater impact than the equivalent size petrol or diesel car. Manufacturing a medium-sized EV produces approx 25 tons of CO2-e and 3.75 MWh of expended energy.
Operating emissions are far less. The average Australian motor vehicle travels 14,000 km per year, producing about 2700 kg of CO2 per year. EVs do not emit CO2.
University of Queensland research estimates that a typical EV charged using the average Australian electricity grid mix generates approx 50% fewer emissions compared to a typical Australian petrol or diesel car. If EVs are charged from 100% renewable energy, then charging emissions are practically zero.
For further information see the Australian Electric Vehicle Association’s detailed review of EV’s environmental impact.
The Australian Electric Vehicle Association has a master EV list setting out the pricing and specifications of all Australian available BEV and Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV) models.
As at 2020, the lowest-priced new EVs included the MG ZS EV and Renault Zoe from approx $47,000 and the Hyundai Ioniq electric from $53,900. The highest-priced new EVs included the Audi e-tron from $153,700 and the Tesla Model X Performance from $196,000.
The second hand market for EVs is growing. The Good Car Company lists second hand Nissan Leafs from $17,000.
Approximately 80% of EV drivers charge their EV at home or work. If your home has rooftop solar then your charging costs will be substantially reduced as you are supplying some of your own energy. You can use a regular power point to charge overnight or have a dedicated car charger installed for faster top-ups.
There are more and more public chargers being installed in Australia by companies including the NRMA and ChargeFox. Public charging costs vary from free up to approx 40c per kw (as at 2020). PlugShare is an app which keeps track of all charging points around the world. It even has a built-in route planner.
Yes! Combining rooftop PV with battery storage and an electric vehicle can more than halve the payback period for your home solar system, and will give you emissions-free driving.
You can also consider a Clenergy’s ezShade system which doubles as a carport and solar power station.
The Electric Vehicle Council has a vehicle guide with a link to the website of each type of EV available in Australia.
Local EV sellers include:
Audi – Artarmon and Mosman
BMW – North Shore (Chatswood and Mosman)
Hyundai – Chatswood
Nissan – Chatswood
Tesla – Sydney CBD
An e-bike is a bicycle with an integrated electric motor and rechargeable battery that makes pedalling easier.
Check out our ‘how to buy’ tips and e-bike recommendations.
Sign up to our newsletter and join our electric transport working group!
Visit your local bike shop or go on a test ride.