Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia are growing, with sales of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles roughly doubling over each of the last two years.

Australians thinking of buying an EV are flooded with information and opinion as the cars have become more popular and additional models come onto the market.

This can make trying to decide whether to join the ranks of EV owners difficult

To help you make an informed choice, here are six benefits of buying an electric car.

1. Cheaper to run

Price is a contentious issue when it comes to EVs, as the cars have still not reached price parity with their internal combustion engine (ICE) cousins and cost of entry for consumers remains higher.

However, given EVs have drastically lower running costs – due to their simpler maintenance schedule and cheaper refueling – owners can expect this initial excess to be equalled and even surpassed over the lifetime of the vehicle.

On average, EV owners save from $810 to $1,400 each year, providing savings of up to $7,000 in just a five-year ownership period.

Planning on doing a lot of driving? These savings could be even greater, with the average electric car costing just $4 to power per 100km travelled, versus ICE vehicles which average $14/100km in fuel costs.

At 20,000km driven each year, this is a saving of about $2,000, meaning EV owners could be saving $10,000 on fuel alone in just five years.

2. Good for the environment

Australia has committed to net zero by 2050 and EVs will play a crucial role in achieving this target.

Transport accounts for 18% of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions – 85% of which comes from road-bound vehicles, with cars contributing almost half of that.

The average new ICE vehicle produces about 185g CO2/km, whereas an average new EV is accountable for only 98g CO2/km, if charged from the current electrical grid.

While a switch to EVs today already means a 47% reduction in CO2 emitted, this figure is only set to rise as Australia and its electrical grid becomes less reliant on dirty sources of energy such as coal.

This CO2 emission figure is also reduced to zero if EV owners make use of solar energy to recharge

3. Less reliance on international factors

In February 2021, ExxonMobil announced it would shut its Altona refinery in Victoria, bringing Australia’s total operating refineries down to just two.

The following month, the Suez Canal was obstructed for six days after a ship travelling through it became stuck.

This year the war in Ukraine has seen oil prices rise significantly.

These events reignited conversation and concerns over Australia’s reliance on importation of crude oil and our vulnerability to these imported goods showed in huge price hikes and lack of supply.

The move to EVs does away with these concerns, as the electricity used by the cars is produced within Australia – be it from conventional methods or emerging, greener technologies such as wind and solar.

4. More economic prospects

The batteries used in EVs are made primary of lithium, and a little-known fact is Australia is the world’s largest exporter of lithium.

In fact, the amount of lithium Australia mines and exports is more than double that of our nearest competitor, Chile.

Being the primary material used in the production of EV batteries, the demand for lithium will increase as the popularity of the electric car does – and this will result in more economic opportunities for Australia.

5. Great driving ecperience

With a near-silent powertrain, no smells and supreme smoothness, the EV driving experience simply cannot be matched by ICE vehicles when it comes to comfort and refinement.

Enthusiasts may long for a sporty induction or exhaust note, but the instant torque EVs deliver from any speed is enough to win many over.

Most of the fastest production cars in the world are now full-electric. Comfort and torque on tap, what more could you want?

6. A healthier option

When speaking of the environmental benefits of EVs, we tend to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and ethical mining, however they also have much more microscopic benefits – both literally and figuratively.

The OECD estimates that about half of all air pollution in member countries is due to motor vehicles.

ICE vehicles produce tailpipe emissions which include unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter – all known carcinogens.

While EVs may not be entirely ‘green’ in their production or if charged from the grid, pedestrians and communities can benefit from vehicles passing by them at a street-level not emitting the harmful chemicals listed above.

What’s the verdict?

Driving an EV is great fun and they account for less CO2 emission.

More chargers are being rolled out across the country and new vehicles are being added to the market.

In fact, EV owners are in a much better position than pioneering ICE motorists from 100 years ago, looking for the next waypoint to where they could purchase petrol.

While relatively higher purchase prices and convenient home charging points might be stumbling blocks for some prospective buyers, the case for buying an EV is improving.

Article written and supplied by the NRMA