Ready to switch to an EV?
Switching to an EV can save you money. With the cost of petrol continuing to rise and the urgency to address climate change growing, now is the time to change to a sustainable car solution. Plus, with Australia's longest EV highway running from Kununurra to Mundrabilla, charging your electric car on the road has never been easier.
Signs your next car might be an EV
Well, the first sign is you being on this page. But in case you needed four more signs – here they are.
You’re already bringing your reusable bags to the shops and have recycling down to a fine art, but you want to make better buys on the stuff that matters – investing in an EV will be a big tick on your sustainability bucket list.
You’re feeling the bite of inflation and need your dollars to start working harder for you. Changing to an EV means you'll go further for less.
You know the difference between a positive trend and a passing fad. EVs are here to stay and with more models to choose from and Australia's longest EV highway in your backyard, there is no time like the present to switch to electric.
You've been hearing about Australia's longest connected EV highway – right here in WA – and you're excited to plan that next road trip.
Better for your bank balance, better for the environment
Save on the lifetime cost of your vehicles
Cheaper to run
Saving on your fuel costs can make a massive difference to your bottom line and EVs can be a much cheaper way to travel. Estimates from a Electric Vehicle Council showed that the fuel cost of travelling 15,000km can be up to 60% cheaper in an EV.
Cheaper to maintain
With less moving parts than a traditional, internal combusition energy, EVs require less maintenance in the long run. You won't have to change oil or replace traditional parts like spark plugs. Better still, the cost to a replace a battery (if needed) is continually falling each year. Many car manufacturers offer a 10 year or 160,000km warranty on batteries. Read the State of Electric Vehicles report.
Cheaper with solar
If you own rooftop solar and can charge your vehicle during the day, you'll be able to power your EV for free (thanks to the sun). We're also currently exploring the potential to connect your EV battery to the grid in the future - turning your vehicle into a mini renewable energy resource.
Transport emissions account for 19% of Australia's emissions, and that number is set to grow
EVs are proven to produce lower lifetime carbon emissions, especially if you are charging using renewables. Read the State of Electric Vehicles Report.
EV's don't produce tailpipe emissions
That matters when vehicle pollution currently causes 50% more deaths than car crashes. They're also much quieter, so you can tick off reduced noise pollution too.
Transport that's better for the planet
EV's release less carbon emissions when running, meaning less air pollution for you to breathe in.
Research from the Electric Vehicle Council also tells us that even if an EV is charged by coal-fired electricity, it still generates lower emissions than its petrol-powered alternatives. However, as we work to create more renewable energy on our grids, EVs only become more sustainable.
Compare the cost of your car with an EV
Try the Electric Vehicle Council have compiled useful tools and calculators to get a better understanding of the cost to own and maintain an EV compared to your current car - based on where you live and how often your drive.
Frequently asked questions
The considerations are the same as when you are comparing models of petrol cars. When comparing ensure you choose like-for-like models for comparison. Then, consider the total cost of ownership, from upfront purchase to ongoing cost of running your vehicle including refueling and servicing.
The Electric Vehicle Council have compiled useful tools and calculators to help understand the costs of EV ownership.
As part of our EV Orchestration Trial, we're considering the impact that EVs will have on our networks.
This WA first, innovative trial will test two-way charging, also known as bidirectional charging. A technology that allows EVs to not only draw power from the grid but also feed power back into it. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) chargers, could turn EVs into mobile energy storage, helping our customers power their homes and reduce their energy bills.
As part of the trial, we will be making sure that the products and services we offer continue to meet the changing needs of the community. Make sure you check our website and follow us on socials for updates.
In a push to assist with the transition to EVs, the State Government announced the Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme. The $3,500 electric vehicle rebate is for buyers spending less than $70,000 on a new EV or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle (FECV).
The Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme forms part of the State Goverment ‘Clean Energy Car Fund’, designed to assist Western Australians to transition away from petrol-fuelled vehicles.
Find out more about the rebate here.
Horizon Power acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased people.