Electric vehicles are on the rise across Australia and Canberrans are leading the cars across the country. The ACT is nation's clear frontrunner when it comes to electric car sales, recording a percentage more than twice as high as any other part of the country in Q1 2023.
The number of electric cars on the market continues to grow, with plenty more affordable options now available compared to just a few years ago. So, to help you select which electric car you would like to purchase, we have put together a list of the best places to buy an electric vehicle in Canberra.
Skip to the list of Canberra's best places to buy an EV
- BYD Gungahlin
- Canberra BMW
- Ion DNA
- Lennock Nissan
- National Capital Hyundai
- Tesla Canberra
What are the benefits of buying an electric car?
Here are some key benefits of purchasing an electric vehicle (EV):
Reduced Emissions: Electric cars produce zero tailpipe emissions, which contribute to reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Lower Operating Costs: Electricity is generally cheaper than gasoline on a per-mile basis, which translates to lower fuel costs. Additionally, electric cars have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance, leading to potential savings in maintenance and repair expenses in the short term.
Energy Efficiency: EVs are highly energy-efficient. Unlike internal combustion engines, which waste a substantial amount of energy as heat, electric motors convert a higher percentage of energy from the grid to power at the wheels.
Government incentives: Governments across the country are trying to encourage the public to buy EVs with incentives. In the ACT, you can get $15,000 zero-interest loan for new electric vehicles, plus two years’ free registration and stamp duty waived.
Quiet and Smooth Ride: Electric vehicles provide a quiet ride due to the absence of internal combustion engine noise and vibrations.
The best places to buy an electric car in Canberra 2024
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When looking for an electric vehicle in Canberra, check out our list of Canberra Daily’s best local businesses below.
Ion DNA
ION DNA is a dedicated Electric Vehicle Showroom located in Fyshwick, providing Canberrans a growing collection of affordable electric cars, motorcycles, scooters, boards, bikes and accessories.
The family owned business has been operating since 2018 and pride themselves on championing the uptake of EVs in the ACT. Head into the showroom or contact their team to see what electric cars they have on offer.
Kai Wakefield left this five-star review on Google: “What a great experience throughout! Have been chatting to Rob and Jaeme for some time now about getting into an EV, they have always been helpful and responsive to all of my many questions. They were instrumental in assisting me through the process of using the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme and getting me into an imported Nissan Leaf. A lovely family run business that are always more than happy to go that extra mile to help out there customers. Cannot recommend them enough.”
Lennock Nissan
Located in Phillip, the state-of-the-art Nissan showroom displays the latest range of Nissan vehicles available in Canberra.
Amongst those vehicles is Nissan’s highly-regarded EV, the Nissan Leaf. The Leaf has a 100% electric motor with zero tailpipe emissions, while it has a 385km indicative driving range. It also has a range of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features to give you a smarter drive.
On Google, Jason left this five-star review: “Always great to deal with. Fantastic communication whilst waiting for delivery. Flexible and went out of their way to handover the car in the short period I was available. Highly recommended.”
Canberra BMW
As the ACT’s only accredited BMW dealership, BMW Canberra has been providing quality cars and service to the region for over 40 years.
They have a full suite of BMW’s available, including the luxurious, all-electric iX3 SUV. They will also have the new fully electric i5 available in late 2023. If you have a larger budget for an EV, BMW is certainly worth checking out.
Chris Widenbar left this five star review on Google: “Professional, reliable service and they’re always happy to answer questions too.”
BYD Experience Centre – Gungahlin
BYD has just opened up an all-new Experience Centre in Gungahlin, providing Canberrans a great opportunity to check out their vehicles.
The Chinese car manufacturer is one of the top-sellers of EVs in the world. They currently have two options available in Australia, the BYD Atto 3 which starts from just over $48k and the BYD Dolphin that is avaible from $38,890.
Ana Maria Londono left this five-star review on Google: “Couldn’t be happier with the service and support that Gus provided us during our process purchasing the Atto 3! Best customer service ever and our enquiries were always addressed in a timely manner. We got our car today and can’t wait to explore and enjoy it.”
Tesla Canberra
Tesla is one of the most well-known and highly-regarded EV sellers across the world and they now have a store in Canberra. Their city store is hugely popular and has quite a range of electric cars to choose from.
Aaron left this positive review on Google: “Just awesome. Was a very easy experience. From the time of purchasing online, recieved regular updates on the expected delivery date. There were some minor delays due to congestion at Wollongong port. Collection day was a breeze and a really enjoyable experience.”
National Capital Hyundai
National Capital Hyundai is an award-winning, family business that has been selling and servicing cars in Canberra for over three decades.
Their fully electric Hyundai Kona has received praise for its performance and the SUV has a futuristic styling inside and out with increased space.
Maddison Lamperd wrote this review on Google: “The sales team at Hyundai Belconnen are a well oiled machine! We have bought a number of new vehicles with them as our needs have changed and each time they have excelled.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How far can an electric car travel on a single charge?
The driving range of an electric car can vary depending on the model, battery capacity, driving conditions, and speed. Modern electric cars typically offer ranges of around 300-400 kilometres on a single charge. It is best to check with the dealer as they will have a more exact figure for their vehicles.
How does an electric car work?
Electric cars use electricity stored in batteries to power an electric motor, which turns the wheels and propels the vehicle forward. When you plug the car into a charging station, the batteries recharge, providing the energy needed for driving.
Where can I charge an electric car?
The easiest way to find your nearest EV charging point is by using the Australian Electric Vehicle Council’s interactive EV charger map. You can also have a charging station installed in your home to make is easy to charge. Most major shopping centres in Canberra will have charging stations but if you are planning a trip, it is best to check before you head out to avoid running out of charge.
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
Charging times depend on the charging speed and the capacity of the car’s battery. Level 1 charging (using a standard household outlet) can take overnight, while Level 2 chargers (240V) can take a few hours. Fast chargers can provide a substantial charge in around 30 minutes to an hour.
Are there any drawbacks to electric cars?
Electric cars have limitations, including charging infrastructure availability, longer refueling times compared to gasoline, and potential range anxiety (fear of running out of charge). Some models might also have higher upfront costs. They can also be incredibly expensive to repair if the battery dies and have limited resale value.
Are there any incentives to buy an EV in the ACT?
$15,000 zero-interest loan for new electric vehicles, plus two years’ free registration and stamp duty waived.
