South Australia

Electric vs petrol cost in South Australia

Compare what an electric car and a petrol car cost to buy and run in South Australia over the years you plan to keep them. It uses South Australia’s rego, vehicle tax, stamp duty and electric car concession rules.

Compare what two cars cost to buy and run in South Australia over the years you plan to keep them. It uses the same registration estimate and stamp duty rules as the rego calculator, and the metropolitan or country choice here. Every starting number is an example, so replace them with your own.

Petrol car

$

Sydney regular unleaded on 5 October 2026, per the NRMA weekly report. Prices have moved a lot this year.

$
$
$

Electric car

$

Batteries make EVs heavier, which raises vehicle tax.

The 2026-27 flat-rate cap in Ausgrid areas. Off-peak time-of-use is capped at 24.04 cents, and public fast chargers usually cost more. Use your own mix.

$
$
$
Cost over the periodPetrolElectric
  • Stamp duty is the same for electric and petrol cars in South Australia, as far as the published rates show.
  • Registration is the government's approximate total, which includes CTP, and it is held flat. The petrol car's vehicle type decides its figure and the electric car uses the electric sedan or wagon figure.
  • Insurance, tyres, depreciation and home charger installation are left out unless you add them under servicing or resale.