Make your next vehicle electric

• Commit to making your next vehicle electric, when your current one genuinely needs replacing
• Look at the whole range: an e-bike or e-scooter might do the job, or a battery electric car
• Do your homework on range, charging and costs before you buy or lease
• Snap a photo of your new EV, or a screenshot of your order or lease confirmation, to log this pledge. Cover the number plate and any personal or financial details

For most of us, the car is how we get to the trailhead, the race start and the Sunday long run. And light vehicles like cars, utes and vans made up about 60% of Australia’s transport emissions in 2022.

When it comes time to replace your current vehicle, choosing an electric vehicle can significantly reduce its climate impact over its lifetime. But the full picture is bigger than what comes out of the tailpipe.

Like all vehicles, EVs create emissions during manufacturing, including from producing materials such as steel, aluminium and batteries. That’s why it’s important to look at the entire lifecycle of a vehicle, from raw materials and production through to driving and end of life.

While EVs typically start life with higher manufacturing emissions than an equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle, they generally make up that difference through much lower emissions in use. As electricity grids become cleaner and more renewable energy is added, those savings continue to grow.

The biggest impact comes from a combination of actions: keeping vehicles longer, choosing the smallest vehicle that meets your needs, driving efficiently, and charging with renewable electricity wherever possible.

This isn’t about replacing a car that’s still serving you well. It’s about making a lower-carbon choice when the time eventually comes.

Because protecting the places we play means thinking about the impact of every kilometre, from production to driving. 💙

• Ask the big question first: Do you need a car, or a second car, at all? An e-bike might cover more of your trips than you’d think.
• Match range to real life: Look at your actual weekly driving, plus the odd trip to a regional race. Then choose a range that covers it with room to spare.
• Choose the right size for your needs: Larger vehicles and bigger batteries generally require more materials and create more emissions during production. Match the vehicle to your real-world driving requirements rather than occasional edge cases.
• Compare lifecycle emissions, not just fuel use: Look beyond tailpipe emissions and compare the total lifecycle impact of different vehicles, including manufacturing, materials, charging and expected use. Some manufacturers, including Polestar, publish lifecycle assessments to help consumers make informed choices. Find out more here.
• Compare on the Green Vehicle Guide: The Australian Government’s guide lets you compare emissions and running costs across models, and has a fuel lifecycle emissions calculator.
• Plan your charging: Home, work or public chargers? If you’ve got rooftop solar, charging in the middle of the day lets you run on your own power.
• Make your charging cleaner over time: EV emissions depend partly on how electricity is generated. Charging from rooftop solar or renewable energy plans can significantly reduce lifecycle emissions even further.
• Know about the FBT exemption: Battery electric cars first held and used from 1 July 2022, and under the luxury car tax threshold, can be exempt from fringe benefits tax. That includes salary packaging arrangements, which is how a novated lease works. Plug-in hybrids stopped qualifying from 1 April 2025, and motorbikes and scooters don’t qualify. Have you considered whether it suits you? If it’s right for your circumstances, consider chatting to a licensed financial adviser.
• Don’t rule out second-hand: About 70% of Australians buy used cars. A used EV can be a good way in. Ask about the battery’s health before you buy.
• Test drive first: Book a few, or ask an EV-driving clubmate for a lift to training.
• Already electric? Legend. Offer lifts to club runs and answer the crew’s questions.