Everything you need to know about ELECTRIC CARS

From charging to rebates, we demystify the green motoring revolution

As the world moves away from conventional fossil fuels, it's becoming clear that electric vehicles (or EVs) are the way of the future. But what are they actually like? Here's what you need to know...

WHAT ARE THE COSTS?

When considering the price of an electric car, it's important to weigh up the long-term costs. "Petrol prices are so high and they're going to increase over time," Samantha Johnson, managing director of Polestar Australia says. "The costs are maybe only between $20 and $30 to charge up your Polestar 2 versus a petrol vehicle."

While the batteries in electric vehicles make them expensive to produce, that's all expected to change with estimates that EVS could become cheaper than diesel and petrol cars in the next few years.

An added bonus is that, depending on your vehicle, you may only require servicing every two years. "It actually is more cost-effective," Johnson says. "The servicing costs are lower and your maintenance costs are lower because you have less moving parts."

ARE THERE ANY REBATES?

"There are statewide government incentives and they range from rebates to stamp duty incentives," Johnson says. Another option to look at is green financing. "There are different incentives out there to make it more affordable for people moving into electric vehicles," she adds.

HOW DO I CHARGE IT?

"The Polestar 2 comes with a charger that you can plug into your 240V plug at home, that's very easy," Johnson says. "You can come home each night, plug it in and you never have to stop at a petrol station." You can save money by charging during off-peak times, or cut costs even further if you use solar power. If you live in an apartment, you can also head to your local charging station. "It's a lot cheaper than buying petrol," Johnson says.

WHERE CAN I CHARGE?