EV Road Trip Must-Know Tips - Australian Traveller

We take a deep dive into the world of electric vehicles for those ready to make the switch and embark on a great Aussie EV road trip.

More and more Australians are making conscious, sustainable, ethical and responsible travel choices. Travellers are concerned about choosing eco-certified accommodations, tours and destinations and even carbon offsets for flights, but what about your hire car?

The simplest way to cut emissions is to make the switch to an electric vehicle (EV) for your next road trip. EVs are the future of motoring and rental car companies are starting to embrace the change to eco-friendly and sustainable driving.

We took a test drive to discover what’s involved in hiring an EV to answer all your questions. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.

Hiring an EV

Sixt electric vehicle by the beach — SIXT has the largest fleet of electric vehicles in Australia.

If you’ve searched for the best car rental deals online recently, you may have noticed a new player entering the market offering a range of EVs. Owned by NRMA, SIXT launched here in 2021 with the largest fleet of electric vehicles in Australia. According to Matt Beattie, managing director of SIXT Australia the company has plans to convert half of its 16,000 nationwide rental fleet to electric in the coming years to help deliver on the nation’s net zero emissions target.

Europcar also has a growing number of EVs, and at this stage the most popular location to hire an EV is from major capital city airports, but that is likely to change as car rental companies continue to expand their EV fleets.

Pro tip: If you usually fly business class or book luxury or boutique hotels, consider matching your holiday experience by upgrading your rental to a prestige or premium vehicle for your next road trip journey. We took the new BMW iX3 from SIXT for a spin on a mini road trip from Sydney to the Blue Mountains and it was a dream to drive!

The cost of hiring an EV

It’s easy to make a sustainable switch to an electric vehicle with the cost of renting an EV only around $10 more per day than an equivalent petrol vehicle, the benefit is that you save on the cost of fuel and can recharge for free at several EV charging stations. The other bonus is EVs don’t need to be recharged before returning, saving time and money. It takes the stress out of finding a petrol station before returning a hire car or paying a premium if you return it half empty.

SIXT customers are provided with a Chargefox token for use across the Chargefox network during their hire period and customers driving in NSW can also benefit from the NRMA charging network, which is currently free. Tesla chargers are free to use for customers who have hired a Tesla vehicle.

Pro tip: Hire car prices usually rise as you get closer to your travel dates, so it’s recommended to book a hire car in advance to secure the best prices. If you’re a member of one of the nation’s auto clubs such as NRMA, you’ll also receive a 20 per cent discount with SIXT .

Planning your EV road trip

electric vehicle on the road — There are websites and apps available to help you plan the best route for your EV road trip. (Image: Getty Images/ClaraNila)

There is a range of websites and apps available to plan your EV road trip including the free PlugShare app , which provides comprehensive coverage of charging stations across Australia. You can enter your trip destination and set the make/model to locate the most suitable charging points for your vehicle along the way. PlugShare also has review capabilities with user-generated content including uploading images of charging stations to help plan your journey.

Depending on how far you’re travelling, you may only need to charge at the end of the day, much like plugging in your phone at night. On average, new vehicles have a range capacity of approximately 480 kilometres, and more expensive vehicles go further, therefore “range anxiety" should not be a problem for the average road trip along popular routes. Range anxiety refers to a driver’s concern they won’t have enough charge to get to the next charging station. With more quality batteries and increased range, this is becoming less of a concern.

Pro tip: Range anxiety is real the first time you hire an EV, but use this guide and choose accommodation with an EV charging station, that way there is no dwell time on your journey. Our BMW iX3 had around 350 kilometres of charge when we left Sydney Airport, so there was no need to stop on our road trip to the Blue Mountains.

Where to charge an EV

We are here to myth bust that there aren’t enough charging stations across the country for an EV road trip. A quick search of the PlugShare app confirms there is plenty of charging stations in key locations across Australia and Governments have started to recognise the growing need to provide funding for chargers in regional locations to ensure drivers can confidently travel long distances in Australia.

The NSW Government intends to have ultra-fast chargers installed at five-kilometre intervals along major roads in Sydney and 100-kilometre intervals along major NSW highways in the near future. Likewise, the Queensland Government funded the installation of fast EV chargers between Coolangatta and Cairns and between Brisbane and Toowoomba to create an Electric Super Highway.

How to charge an EV

It couldn’t be simpler to charge an EV. Everything you need to charge your EV rental is included such as cables to charge domestically or by the roadside.

Pro Tip: When we hired the BMW iX3 from SIXT the friendly team member provided a full tutorial before leaving the branch, it was like a concierge service. Charging cables were located in the boot and it was a simple task to plug in.

How long does it take to charge an EV?

electric car charging — Charging an electric car is similar to charging a mobile phone. (Image: Getty Images/chameleonseye)

The time it takes to charge an EV depends on the type of car and charger used. A DC fast charge station is the fastest charging option ranging from 25-350kw with the ability to add a 150-kilometre range per hour at the lower end and a full charge at the highest charging speeds in 15 minutes. Compared with AC fast charging (7-22kw) which typically adds 40 kilometres to 100 kilometres of range per hour. Plugging into a regular power point or AC slow charging (1.4-2.4kw) provides about a 10-20-kilometre range added per hour plugged in, which is why it is usually only done overnight to recharge the vehicle by 100-300 kilometres.

Pro tip: Depending on how far you’re driving, you might not even need to charge every day. If your chosen hotel doesn’t yet have an EV charging station, you can just plug it into a standard power socket using the charging equipment provided with your hire vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge an EV?

Use the PlugShare app to identify the best free options for your journey and vehicle type. Check the PlugShare app for any other network options compatible with your hire car vehicle type and costs may vary for example Kyah Hotel Blackheath has just installed an EVBox providing four fast charging stations at around 33.5 cents per KW. Check with your rental car company, as some may reimburse you for any charging costs incurred.

Pro tip: We charged for free everywhere during our road trip and had no trouble identifying where and how to charge, making a significant saving compared to having to refuel a standard petrol hire car. We were offered free charging via the Chargefox and NRMA charging stations with SIXT.

Now you’ve mastered EVs and overcome range anxiety, check out some of Australia’s most popular road trips.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

EV road trips: What you need to know before you go