If your current car is on its last legs and you’re in the market for a new ride, here’s some motivation to make your next mode of transport more planet-friendly, writes Hannah Turner. 

Cut your carbs (carbon emissions) 

48% of the average Brisbane household’s emissions are created from transport, so if you’re thinking about getting an electric vehicle (EV), it’s one of the most impactful things you can do as an individual to create a more sustainable future.  

Beat the bowser

With petrol prices set to remain high, there’s never been a better time to make the switch to electric. While the purchase price for electric cars is still typically higher than conventional cars, they are cheaper to drive in the long run. For an average car travelling 13,700 km per year, you could save up to $1000 annually, or $1200 if your EV is able to charge overnight on an off-peak tariff.  

Want to check for yourself? Try calculating the total cost of running a standard combustion engine vs. electric car using this free calculator by the NRMA.  

Save on servicing 

Given EV’s have less parts than a petrol or diesel car they can make for a low maintenance option compared to their counterparts. EVs don’t need oil changes, spark plugs, starter motors, fuel injection systems or radiators and as a result they often require less frequent servicing. Their regenerative braking systems also limit brake pad wear on all EVs. 

Take charge

There are now around 249 public charging stations across Brisbane making it easier to recharge if you’re out and about. Download the Chargefox and PlugShare Apps to navigate to your nearest charging station.  

Brisbane City Council provides a few free charging stations at King George Square and Bracken Ride Library (BYO power cord) so you could even power up without paying a cent! 

So much serenity

It’s hard to find some peace and quiet in a bustling city, especially with road traffic contributing to more than 70 per cent of environmental noise, so going electric is a great way to bring that statistic down! EV sounds are lower than car noise laws with the only noise they make coming from the tyres on the road, or their wind resistance. 

By going electric, you can also help combat air pollution, which is driven by motor vehicles (responsible for over 70% of Brisbane’s air pollution!)