Local Energy Story: 

Driving Electric around Bermagui

Have you been noticing more and more electric vehicles (EVs) around Bermagui? Over the past couple of years quite a few people in our community have switched to electric. This follows the trend in the rest of Australia too: according to AAA's Electric Vehicle Index in the quarter ending July 2025, 13% of all new cars sold in Australia were electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids.

There are now many different models available in Australia, giving us more choice in both battery range and price brackets. The fast-charging network is also rapidly growing and improving, making EVs a great choice for more people in regional areas like ours. For this Local Energy Story we talk to three people in our community about their EV experience. 

Ashley's Plug-in Hybrid Ute

When Ashley from Coolagolite needed a new ute for her farm, she researched her options thoroughly and decided on the BYD Shark, which is a plug-in electric hybrid. Her choice was driven by both environmental and economic reasons: the Shark is very competitively priced and it's an EV - Ashley did not want a diesel. It's a rugged AWD with electric motors and a battery that is big enough for everyday local trips, combined with a conventional petrol engine which extends the car's power and range.



Ashey says: "I love it. It’s great to drive and when I go to the Co-op or the stockfeed suppliers I can just say "throw it in the back" instead of having to
take a trailer - that makes life a lot easier. It’s been around the Bega Valley and up and back to Canberra, and after more than 7,000km we've only spent just over $400 on petrol - the rest has been electric... so there are huge savings on running costs."

Ashley with three of her speckle steers and her BYD Shark ute.

George the Hereford steer poses next to Ashley's BYD Shark ute.

Matt and Alex's Hyundai Ioniq EV (2021 model)

Matt and Alex had been thinking about an EV for a few years, and found one on the second-hand EV market: a Hyundai Ioniq electric (2021 model). It has a ~300km battery range, shorter than some of the newer EVs, but plenty for their regular trips between Bermagui and Cobargo. They mostly charge it at home from a regular 10A outlet, using their rooftop solar when they can. For longer trips to see family in Sydney, there are now many fast-charging stations in different towns along the route. Usually they only have to charge once along the way, and the car is ready to go again by they time they've grabbed lunch.



They say: "There's many other things we love about it: it's super quiet and comfortable to drive, and there are no petrol smells! Actually the thing that pushed us to finally buy an EV was when our son was born: it was always a bit stressful stopping for petrol with the baby in the car, especially in summer when it was hot and keeping the windows down meant it got super smelly from the pump fumes. We love being able to skip the petrol station on our road trips: now we just plug in and go for a walk or to find some lunch."

Matt and Alex's Hyundai Ioniq EV charging from a regular 10A outlet.

Matt and Alex's son sits on top of their Hyundai Electric during a fast-charging stop in Shell Cove.

Cassie tests out her mum's Tesla Model 3

Cassie regularly travels from Bermagui to Canberra for work and to visit her mum there. Cassie's main car is a petrol one, but recently she's been borrowing her mum's Tesla Model 3 for these trips - bringing it to Bermagui for a week, then driving back to the ACT. She says she's really impressed with the battery range, and how easy it has been to drive. Testing out the Model 3 has given her a lot of confidence that an electric car can be a great choice, even when living out of a major city.



Cassie says: "In the Model 3 I can do the drive from Bermagui to Canberra without stopping to charge, its really nice. I've been pleasantly surprised at how good the battery range is, and there are a lot of fast charging options along the way if I did need to stop and charge. I'd really like for our next car to be an electric one - we're now just waiting for the right time to get one. "

So how far will it get me?

If you're curious about how far a 'typical' electric car battery can get you (without stopping to charge), have a look at the approximate map we've put together below. We put this together using a free app called Smappen. The map shows what locations are reachable within 270km (about 75% of the typical range one of the more modest EVs on the market, like a BYD Dolphin or an MG ZS Essence), and within 380km (~75% of the range of a mid-range modern EV, like a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or a Volvo C40). We've chosen to show a "75% range" since we probably all prefer to arrive with some charge left! Also, just like with a petrol engine, the total range you get will depend on the terrain, speed, load in the car and your driving style. As you can see, modern EVs will get you very far on a single charge!

Map showing areas that are within 270km of Bermagui (75% of a low-range EV battery), and 380km of Bermagui (75% of a mid-range EV battery).

There's so many EV options available now in Australia, that it's also opened up the second hand EV market - which should help prices keep coming down. You can have a look at the models available in Australia on the Electric Vehicle Council Website.



And if want to check out some EVs in person without having to travel to a major city, you should come along to a community "EV Expo"! Our neighbouring organisation, SHASA (Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance) is hosting one soon: SHASA EV Expo - October 4th Moruya. Renewable Bermagui plans to organise another one in Bermagui in the next few months. We'll keep you posted!