Low and zero emission vehicles

It seems that Western Australians are moving to embrace the shift to lower emissions vehicles, as new sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) increased by 17 % from 2022 to 2023. 

Types of electric vehicles

EVs are powered purely by electricity or a combination of this and liquid fuel, reducing tailpipe emissions and the impact of cars on our health and the environment. EVs produce less emissions than petrol or diesel cars, or even zero emissions when recharged from renewable electricity.

EVs reduce fuel costs and are typically cheaper to service compared to a traditional vehicle. When fully charged, most EVs can drive between 250km and 600km before they need to be recharged.

The main types of EVs

• Battery EVs (BEVs) use an electric motor powered by a battery that is charged by plugging into an electricity supply and through a regenerative braking system. They do not have an internal combustion engine (ICE).
• Plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs) have both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The electric motor is powered by a battery that is charged by plugging into an electricity supply and through a regenerative braking system. If the battery depletes, the petrol or diesel engine kicks in.
• Non plug-in hybrid EVs (HEVs) are primarily powered by a petrol or diesel internal combustion engine. However, they also have an electric motor powered by a battery that is charged through a regenerative braking system. The battery cannot be charged by plugging it into an electrical supply.
• Fuel cell EVs (FCEVs) use an electric motor primarily powered by a fuel cell that converts hydrogen into electricity. In addition, they have a battery that can be charged by the fuel cell and through a regenerative braking system. They do not have an internal combustion engine and they cannot be plugged into an electrical supply, but they do have a fuel tank which must be regularly refilled with hydrogen.

Electric vehicle sales

The global market for EVs continues to grow significantly but uptake has been slower in Australia. This is largely due to purchase cost, lack of public charging infrastructure and the limited range available to buy. FCEVs are not currently available to purchase in Australia.

In 2023, Western Australians purchased 9,428 HEVs, 8,314 BEVs and 1,013 PHEVs. EV Ownership is expected to grow with BEVs, PHEVs and FCEVs projected (under the most likely scenario) to account for:

• 52 % of Australia’s new car sales by 2030 and 99 % by 2050
• 15 % of Australia's total car fleet by 2030 and 99 % by 2050

RAC is always looking at ways to help reduce vehicle emissions and ensure Western Australians have access to clean and safe vehicle technologies. We do this through our advocacy activities (including submissions to government) and initiatives such as the RAC Electric Highway to reward and support owners of low and zero emissions vehicles.

Lifecycle emissions of electric vehicles

The lifecycle emissions of different vehicle types can be compared by assessing battery and car manufacturing, fuel and electricity production and consumption, car maintenance and tailpipe emissions:

• On Western Australia’s current mixed grid, powered mostly by gas and coal, the lifecycle emissions of PHEVs are 43 % lower than a petrol equivalent.
• For BEVs, life cycle emissions are currently 55 % lower than their petrol equivalents. It is anticipated that as the electricity mix becomes more renewable, this difference will grow. On a fully renewable grid, BEV emissions would be 86 % lower than their petrol equivalents and 76 % lower than their PHEV equivalents.
• For FCEVs, lifecycle emissions would be 83 % lower with green hydrogen and 50 % lower with grey hydrogen, compared to petrol equivalents.

Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydropower to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. This method, known as electrolysis, results in minimal or no carbon emissions, making it an environmentally friendly energy source. Grey hydrogen is generated from natural gas or methane through a process called steam methane reforming (SMR). This technique emits carbon dioxide (CO₂), making it less environmentally friendly compared to green hydrogen.

Making electric vehicles even greener

A further shift toward renewable electricity generation sources will ensure electric and hybrid vehicles produce even less harmful emissions.

There is also more work to do in reducing the impact of vehicle manufacturing and in improving end-of-life recycling of vehicle parts, including battery recycling.