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Welcome to this new section discussing EVs (Electric Vehicles), especially for rural Australia. Along with Public Transport they are a big part of the solution to the current fuel freak-out and price gouging, repeated now the full excise has rightly returned. And every litre a city or rural user doesn't use to get to the supermarket or office, is a litre for a tractor or header. That said, there are small electric tractors too.
Unlike many countries, Australia, along with the UK and US, suffers a lot of FUD - Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt - propagated by the Murdochracy, among others, on behalf of the fossil fuel industry, against pure electric vehicles and clean power generation. Ditto Stokes' 7West Media. and 9 Entertainment (aka SMH aka The Age). It is also legal for a politician to resign from parliament on Friday, after a career voting against climate change reduction measures and vehicle emission standards, then take up a job at a fossil fuel company, or to become a lobbyist on their behalf, on Monday. Overseas this is a crime, or at least officially stated as the corruption it is.
Such vehicles are also termed BEVs, battery electric vehicles, as opposed to "hybrids" which include a petrol, or occasionally diesel, engine in the power train; or from vehicles which use hydrogen to generate electricity via a fuel cell, to charge a small battery, and power the electric motor. Hydrogen cars using engines are very rare, whatever the "Hydrogen is the future" mob, who typically just want noisy cars, or the continuation of the liquid fuels industry, say. Some H2 is even made using coal (termed black or brown), or methane (grey). It does have some cool niche uses, such as liquified and use to run shorter distance freight, emergency medical, or passenger aviation to cross barriers such as straits and mountains; or running worksite lighting towers with almost zero noise. Zero Emission Rail using fuel cells is in operation, with inline-6 H₂ engines also possible.
While for some the reason is environmental, for others the attraction is high performance, or cost savings and not using imported fuel. Prices range from ~$26k for a BYD ATTO 1 Essential, a pittance above the cheapest ICE car, to over $1 million for a well optioned Rolls Royce (although the ~$30k Premium version of teh BYD is worth the extra for the range and acceleration). MG4 Urban and Aion UT are also sub $32k on-road. Used lower range cars are very affordable. The MG U9 EV pick-up, and Izuzu pickup are out soon too; the Musso ute availabe now. LDV has a pick-up available now, and a ute coming soon. Even Hilux is going electric, although with very limited range. There are various vans, and flatbed trucks. For the China-adverse the Dutch Stellantis builds the Jeep Avenger FWD SUV in Poland, at $40k; and the Alfa Romero Junior on the same platform. Mazda has the 6e in dealers now.
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| Porsche Taycan with optional 21-inch Mission E Design wheels. |
EVs cover everything from road-registered electric motorcycles and step-through scooters to cars, SUVs, 4WDs, pick-ups, cab-chassis, pantechs and garbage trucks, to semi-trailer prime movers, to massive mining trucks. Boats of all sizes are also electric. Even trains are now battery powered!
There are events for all from the private motorist or sole trader, to fleet manager and policy planner, some listed below.
My first page answers the question "Are EVs practical in rural Australia?" (they generally are), with a discussion of charging, and other information with broad application: Rural EVs
I have split out the list of manufacturers and models into this EV List.
Comments on extension leads: Using Extension Leads with EVs
Show photos, etc from: Mobility Live 2025 - Sydney with Highways AU.
I'm very keen to add reviews, so if you want your media vehicle reviewed on a rural trip, or at a drive day or similar, let me know by email: julian AT sortland D0T co D0T uk (Note no "h"). Community newsletters also also interested in this content, including weaving the car into a touristy item - say Parkes in a Cadillac to visit the Elvis museum which contains one of his cars from that maker. I also have some older but good Digital SLRs.
Some of my qualifications are in electronics and broadcast systems, so I also have a few pages on electrical power which may be of interest. One explains the Australian 3 phase power system, another Electrical wiring repairs on south-west Pacific islands.
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| LeapMotor B10 SUV, likely in "Light white". |
Alternatives to Great Western Highway: While there is a big beat-up re the alternative route along Chifley Rd into Lithgow, there are also routes via the M1 and M15, and the Golden Highway; and the M31 and B81, etc. There are plenty of chargers along both routes, including a bucket-load just off the M15 in the wineries. Increasing limits on those roads would make them more attractive, especially when online route planners are used.
These are in no specific order.
All Energy at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is a free annual event which includes the EV Technology & Infrastructure sub-show in the main ticket. It is 28-29 October 2026. There are lots of solar companies, providers of batteries from domestic to corporate use to town and grid scale, charging equipment companies, and one selling framing to build carports using panels as the roof. Tindo, the expanding Australian solar panel manufacturer, is the lanyard sponsor. Exhibitors range from multi-billion dollar companies such as the energy storage arm of BYD (with a few cars shown too) to small / niche services companies and start-ups. MCEC is a massive venue, officially in South Wharf, very close to South Bank and the southern corner of the CBD, on Clarendon St (which continues Spencer Street). Spencer Street Station is now Southern Cross. Or tram it from Flinders Street / Town Hall (free). There is also a drop-off area at 1 Convention Centre Place; parking is via Normanby Rd, but is very expensive, and operated by an unethical company. Visit: https://www.all-energy.com.au/
There are many free sessions to attend. This includes on EV fleet charging and innovation, and woder energy projects and planning. They have free barista coffee or hot chocolate for all attending, both in the foyers, and from companies such as SMA. Companies such as Sense provide a very good light breakfast to those attending their presentation.
Support their partner Solar Buddy in addressing energy poverty in Australia, the Pacific, and globally.
A little off-topic, their Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition is 3-4 September 2026 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide, overlooking the River Torrens. See: AP Hydrogen. Meanwhile, Wind Energy Australia covering onshore and offshore wind is 8-9 July 2026 at MCEC.
In Europe? The All Energy event is 12-13 May 2027 at SEC, Glasgow, Scotland. The World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition is 18 - 20 May 2027 at Rotterdam Ahoy.
Further Energy events here and globally: RX Energy Events
The Smart Energy Council's conference and free exhibition is 5-6 May 2027 at ICC in Sydney: Smart Energy (organised by Terrapinn)
Future Drive Autoshows run a number of shows. TRADIE SHOW was previously the Commercial and Lifestyle Motor Show, and the Light Commercial Motor show was CANCELLED for 2026. It will now be at Melbourne Showground on 7-9 May 2027. It is potentially free if you register with your business' details. It includes electric vehicles suitable for conversions to campers, with an already converted Farizon as a demonstrator - it even has grid-independent electric cooking capabilities. Tradie Show. It includes vehicle accesories companies supplying storage racks, etc, and perhaps fitout companies. There are also ICE vehicle dealers there too. Electrify Everything has a discount code.
Their EV Motor Shows were claimed to be a revival of the ICE ones held some years ago. There is a fee to attend, unless you are press. The Melbourne EV Show is on 18-20 September 2026 at MCEC. There are electric go-karts to entertain kids. They will likely display over 100 vehicles, and have EV test drives. They claim "all things charging". Wander over to: EV 26
The Sydney International EV Motor Show is November 6-8 at International Convention Centre (ICC) in Darling Harbour (Cockle Bay). The L1 Light Rail line runs past the rear, with Exhibition Centre the nearer option, but Convention works too, or a bus or ferry. There are short test drives along the road behind the ICC. My photos from 2025. Event Info: SIEVS 26 (this currently goes to a ticket request page).
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| A left-hand drive XPENG P7+ 5-door executive liftback at the 2025 Sydney show. |
MOVE Australia - Mobility Reimagined is co-located with Roads & Traffic AU and EV Charge Live, with only one registration required. Dates are 14 - 15 October 2026 at ICC Sydney. It includes on-road and campus type electric vehicles, chargers, and other infrastructure and services. My photos from Mobility Live 2025 & Highways AU. Book at: https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/move-au/
EVerything Electric [their caps] has been moved from March to 18-20 September 2026. See: https://au.everythingelectric.show/SYDNEY. It isn't clear how to register as a commercial users, or someone in the electrical / electronics industry. General registration is here: Registrations. The event may be in Melbourne at the Melbourne Showgrounds in 2027. The organiser is "Fully Charged", with a YouTube channel of the same name available. The London event in 11 – 12th September 2026, in Twickenham.
NRMA occasionally runs free EV Drive Days in NSW and the ACT. See if they have anything at: https://www.mynrma.com.au/open-road/advice-and-how-to/ev-drive-days. So does the NSW Government, again see if any are upcoming: Energy: Electric vehicle community events.
There have been occasional EV drive days at Eastern Creek, now Sydney Motorsport Park. They may have a cost.
If you have an conference / training expense account, the third EV Infrastructure Summit is a 1 day event on 10 June 2027. The 2026 venue was Doltone House Darling Island, in Sydney. This is just north of L1 station "The Star". There may be local government pricing one again, but there is free access offered to business and council fleet buyers. See: https://evinfrastructuresummit.com
Melbourne Motor Show is a mixed EV and ICE car event, with electric bikes, in early April. It is a MCEC, with paid entry. It is very much aimed at consumers, with no free commercial buyer access offered (there may be exhibitor tickets). Tickets, etc: https://melbournemotorshow.au/. It is run by Park Lane, an Adelaide based company, which holds business names for Melbourne Motor Show, suffixed by 2027 to 2035, inclusive.
If you are visiting NZ, the have a number of events, including run by #LeadingTheCharge under the Better NZ Trust, and NZ Electro Mobility on 29 April 2027 at The Cloud in Auckland.
AEVA - Australian Electric Vehicle Association has its events around Australia, even in Darwin, and Kingaroy! They have a National Conference periodically. Visit their Event List. Interestingly after I posted here that listing membership sold to consumers as plus GST was unusual, they now quote prices including it, $27.50 for concessions, $55 for others. Under 25s are free.
World Solar Challenge had RAA EV Drive Experience in Adelaide after the 2025 Race. Maybe they will have one in 2027. See: World Solaar Challenge
The EV Festival site in SA has an Event List.
In your town? Sure, find a convenient space, such as the carpark of a solar or electrical company, or a progresive church, local government, etc. Get dealers locally or from the nearby rural city or capital city along to offer test drives, see if your state AEVA body can support it, maybe Tesla Owners Club of Australia members, and any keen EV owners you know for a shine-and-show area. Don't forget legal electrified bycicles, and legal electric motorcycles / mopeds / step-troughs. And an electric prime-mover would be a draw-card. Local radio and local newspapers my provide interviews to help promote it for free or at low cost. Rotary, Apex, or similar may be able to provide a funraising BBQ, and the local coffee cart attend. Adding an EV zone to the loal agricultural show, etc, may work. Clean energy projects have community benefit fund which may be available. Or just ask a few EV owning friends to come to the local Cars-and-Coffee, etc.
Another is IAA Transportation in Hannover: https://www.iaa-transportation.com/en
Trucks: The Brisbane Truck Show, will be next held on 20-23 May 2027.
Formula E is an FIA world championship run on high profile racing circuits. The season runs from 18 December 2026 to 25 July 2027. Might they head Downunder? Not this year, despite Mitch Evans (leaving Jaguar, team TBA), and Nick Cassidy (Citroën) being Australasian drivers in the series. The 2026/2027 season will use Generation 4 cars, with 600 kW (over 800 HP) in an all wheel drive car which is 1 tonne including the driver. See: https://www.fiaformulae.com/en
Hillclimbing is an example of events which road registered EVs can do well in. More broadly, some local racing clubs over-hype the supposed fire risk of EVs, and ban them - clearly they have gotten tired of being beaten. However, the Rob Roy club has EV-only events. These are typically around 1 km.
The famous Pikes Peak event, which rises from 9160 to 14,115 ft, where oxygen is limited, is now dominated by EVs. The VW I.D. R did the 20 km of hairpin filled course in under 8 minutes (think Galston Gorge or Jenolen's Two Mile on steriods, without fences, miles in the sky).
The odd Extreme E off-road buggy racing has morphed into Extreme H, under Saudi influence, demostrating that much of the hydrogen industry is really about continuing fossil fuels.
V/Line / PTV, Trainlink, Sydney Trains, TC, and various private operators provide often affordable surface transport to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and the Canberra / Queanbeyan area, and locally. There can be tricks involving mixing up pensioner $2.50 greater Sydney Opal fares and $2.50 Country Pensioner Excursion ticket, or CPE plus cheap statewide Victorian ticketing (under $6 for concession card holders, under $12 otherwise, free for under 18s with a Youth myki), etc. Victoria now has free PT! SE Qld has 50 cent fares.
See: Travel to events - opens in a new tab.
Written by Julian Sortland, VK2YJS & AG6LE, August 2026.
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