Our Picks For The Best Places in Australia to Own an Electric Car

This article is sponsored by Genesis.

The popularity of electric vehicles is increasing across the planet, so much so that an estimated 145 million EVs will be on the road by 2030 — a stark increase from the 11 million on the roads today.

This rise in popularity is seeing a slew of new and exciting players entering the EV market, with manufacturers like Genesis shaking things up by proving EVs don’t need to sacrifice style. 

Zooming in on the domestic level, at least 50 per cent of all new car sales in NSW are expected to be electric by 2030. 

According to a recent report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, electric vehicles are mostly driven around and within capital cities — “accounting for 50 million km, or 72.5% of all travel by this type of vehicle,” according to the ABS.

The Northern Territory, the least populous of Australia’s eight major states and territories, experienced the least electric vehicle usage between 2020 and 2021, with a mere 100 thousand kilometres of total distance driven by an electric passenger vehicle.

Contrast this with Victoria, which recorded the most electric vehicle usage over the same time period  — a whopping (in comparison) 25.2 million total kilometres.

Taking this all into account, it’s unsurprising that nine of the top 10 suburbs in the country when it comes to electric vehicle ownership are in either New South Wales or Victoria, according to ABS data.

Taking in top spot is Melbourne CBD, with a total of 145 battery-powered vehicles all listed within the postcode of 3000.

In second spot is the cluster of suburbs making up South Australia’s postcode of 5042. While Central Sydney’s postcode of 2000 takes up 4th spot, just below Victoria’s Derrimut and Laverton North (postcode 3026). 

Here’s the full top 10, for those playing at home.:

1. Melbourne, VIC 3000
2. Bedford Park, Clovelly Park, Flinders Uni, Pasadena, St Marys, Tonsley, SA 5042
3. Derrimut, Laverton North, VIC 3026
4. Sydney, Barangaroo, Dawes Point, Haymarket, Millers Point, The Rocks, NSW 2000
5. Mulgrave, Waverley Gardens, VIC 3170
6. Bangholme, Dandenong, Dandenong East, Dandenong North, Dandenong South, Dunearn, VIC 3175
7. Burnley, Burnley North, Cremorne, Richmond, Richmond East, Richmond North, Richmond South, VIC 3121
8. Gladstone Park, Gowanbrae, Tullamarine, VIC 3043
9. Dover Heights, Rose Bay North, Vaucluse, Watsons Bay, NSW 2030
10. Hawksburn, Toorak, VIC 3142

Given infrastructure tends to follow demand, the best cities in the country to own an electric vehicle are Melbourne and Sydney, but no real prizes for guessing that one. Electric vehicle adoption tends to start in major urban areas, before spreading out into less populated parts of nations.

The future looks bright though. The Federal Labor government recently made a pledge to bridge the gap in Australia’s electric vehicle charging network, with plans to build fast-charging stations across the nation. The network expansion is set to cost $39.3 million and focus on areas of major highways that currently are underserved, particularly those crossing large stretches of remote and regional Australia.

So, final verdict? If you’re in a densely populated area, you’re going to have a fairly easy time charging your EV. if you’re a little more remote, plan your trips if you’re going on any long adventures. Either way, EVs are the future, so investing in one today will only continue to pay off in the long run as you save money, charging stations become more common, and you’ll even help the planet. Not a bad return for splurging on your dream car.

Enticed by what you’ve just read? Excited by the future? Check out the new range of Electrified Genesis, an eco-conscious EV that doesn’t skimp on luxury. Go on, own a piece of the future, today.