Can You Road Trip in an EV in Australia?

It is the question that comes up every time someone considers buying an EV: "But what about road trips?"

The honest answer is yes, you can road trip in an EV in Australia. It just takes a little more planning than jumping in a petrol car and driving until the tank is empty. Here is what you need to know.

The Charging Network Is Growing Fast

Australia's public charging network has expanded significantly in recent years. Major routes between capital cities, including Sydney to Melbourne, Sydney to Brisbane, Melbourne to Adelaide, and Brisbane to Cairns, now have DC fast charging stations at regular intervals.

In most cases, you will find a fast charger every 100 to 200 kilometres along major highways. The coverage is denser near cities and thinner in remote areas, but it is improving all the time.

Key charging networks operating in Australia include Chargefox, Evie, Tesla Supercharger (where open to your brand), Jolt, AmpCharge, and BP Pulse, among others. Most can be found and filtered using apps like PlugShare or your vehicle's built-in navigation.

How To Plan An EV Road Trip

Planning is the key difference between an EV road trip and a petrol one. Here is a simple approach:

Map your route and identify charging stations along the way. Most EV navigation systems do this automatically, or you can use apps like PlugShare or the charging network's own app.

Aim to arrive at each charging stop with at least 10 to 20 percent battery remaining. Do not push it to the last kilometre, especially if you are unfamiliar with the route or the charger availability.

Plan your stops around meals, toilets, or sightseeing. A 20 to 30 minute fast charge is enough to add significant range, and it is not much different from a normal rest stop.

Check that the chargers along your route are operational before you leave. Chargers occasionally go offline for maintenance. A quick check on the app the morning of your trip can save surprises.

What Range Do You Need For Road Trips?

For comfortable road tripping in Australia, an EV with at least 400 kilometres of real-world range and DC fast charging capability above 100kW is a good baseline. With this combination, you can cover most major routes with reasonable stops.

If your EV has shorter range (300 to 350 kilometres), road trips are still possible but you will need to stop more frequently. Not a deal-breaker, but worth factoring in.

For a deeper look at choosing an EV for longer drives, our guide on the best electric cars for long distance driving goes into more detail.

What Does Charging Cost On The Road?

Public fast charging is more expensive than charging at home. On many networks you will see roughly $0.45–$0.75 per kWh (some bill per minute instead—check the app). For a typical fast charge that adds 200 to 300 kilometres of range, budget around $25–$45 per stop depending on battery size, starting state of charge, and pricing.

That is still generally cheaper than filling a petrol tank for the same distance, but the gap is smaller than when charging at home on off-peak electricity.

The Reality Check

EV road tripping in Australia is practical on major routes between population centres. The experience is genuinely pleasant, the car is quiet, the ride is smooth, and the stops are manageable.

Where it gets more challenging is in remote and outback areas where charging infrastructure is sparse or non-existent. If your road trips regularly take you off the beaten track, check the charging coverage for your specific routes before committing to an EV as your only vehicle.

For more on the cost side of things, our running cost comparison covers fuel, servicing, and more.

For a wider look at vehicle finance, Aussie Finance Hub is a useful resource.