EV EV stamp duty, rego and road charges by state
Most states now charge EVs the same stamp duty and registration as petrol cars. The main exceptions in 2026 are Queensland (2% duty on EVs up to $100,000), the NT (free rego and a duty discount until June 2027) and the ACT (cheaper emissions-based rego). NSW plans a per-kilometre EV charge from July 2027. Federally, EVs on a novated lease are still free of fringe benefits tax.
EV stamp duty, rego and road charges by state
As at October 2026. Rules change often, so check with your state revenue office before you buy.
| State | Stamp duty on EVs | Registration | EV road charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Full duty (the EV exemption ended 1 January 2024) | No EV discount | A per-km charge is planned from 1 July 2027: about 3.1c/km for EVs and 2.5c/km for plug-ins at 2026–27 rates. Not yet in force. |
| Victoria | Standard rates. EVs avoid the higher luxury rates other cars pay above about $80,800. | The $100 EV discount ended 1 January 2026 | None. Victoria's old EV charge was struck down by the High Court in 2023. |
| Queensland | Lower rate of 2% on EVs and hybrids up to $100,000 (3% for a typical four-cylinder petrol car) | No EV discount | None |
| South Australia | Full duty | The three-year free rego offer has closed | None |
| Western Australia | Full duty | No EV discount (the $3,500 rebate closed in May 2025) | None |
| Tasmania | Full duty (the exemption ended in 2023) | No EV discount | None |
| ACT | Tiered rates: 2.5% to $45,000, 4% to $80,000, 8% above. EVs were exempt until 31 August 2025. | Moving to emissions-based rego: zero-emission cars pay less | None |
| NT | Up to $1,500 off duty on EVs up to $50,000, until 30 June 2027 | Free rego for EVs and plug-ins until 30 June 2027 | None |
How much stamp duty will I pay?
Stamp duty (motor vehicle duty) is charged once, when the car is first registered to you. In most states it works out at roughly 3–5% of the price for a mid-priced car, so a $50,000 EV attracts about $1,500–2,500. Drive-away prices already include it; "before on-road costs" prices don't. Our cost-to-own figures add about $4,000 for on-road costs, which covers duty, rego and dealer delivery for a typical car.
Is EV registration cheaper?
Usually not any more. Most states that offered EV rego discounts have ended them. Rego is mostly set by vehicle weight or type, plus compulsory third party (CTP) insurance, so an EV costs about the same to register as a similar petrol car. The ACT and NT are the exceptions.
Will EVs pay a road user charge?
EV drivers don't pay fuel excise, which funds roads, so governments are looking at distance-based charges. Victoria's 2.5c/km charge was ruled invalid by the High Court in 2023. NSW still plans a charge from 1 July 2027 (about 3.1c/km for EVs and 2.5c/km for plug-ins at 2026–27 rates, rising with inflation), but is reviewing it after that ruling. At 3.1c/km, driving 250 km a week would add about $7.75 a week, still well below what a petrol car pays in fuel. The May 2026 federal budget did not add a national charge.
Official sources by state
- NSW: Revenue NSW
- Victoria: State Revenue Office Victoria
- Queensland: Queensland Revenue Office
- South Australia: RevenueSA
- Western Australia: WA Department of Finance
- Tasmania: State Revenue Office Tasmania
- ACT: ACT Revenue Office
- NT: Territory Revenue Office
Common questions
Do you pay stamp duty on electric cars in Australia?
Yes, in most states. NSW, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania charge full duty on EVs. Queensland charges a lower 2% on EVs up to $100,000, the NT gives up to $1,500 off for EVs up to $50,000 until June 2027, and Victoria and the ACT have their own rate scales.
Is EV registration free in Australia?
Only in the Northern Territory, where battery EVs and plug-in hybrids get free registration until 30 June 2027. Elsewhere EVs pay normal registration, although the ACT's emissions-based rego is cheaper for zero-emission cars.
Do EVs pay a road user charge?
Not yet. Victoria's charge was struck down by the High Court in 2023. NSW plans a per-kilometre charge from 1 July 2027 (about 3.1c/km at 2026–27 rates), and there is no national charge.
Are there still EV rebates in Australia?
No state offers a purchase rebate for new EVs in 2026; the last ones closed in 2024 and 2025. The biggest remaining saving is the federal FBT exemption for EVs bought through a novated lease.
More guides
How we work it out
Weekly cost is the car's claimed energy use (kWh per 100 km) × your distance × your electricity price. "Per week" figures on this site assume 250 km a week with 90% of charging at home. Petrol comparisons use the fuel use and price you choose. Prices are list prices at October 2026 and change often; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default or regulated flat rates from the AER Default Market Offer (NSW, SE QLD, SA), Victorian Default Offer, Aurora Energy (TAS), Jacana Energy (NT), Synergy (WA) and ActewAGL (ACT).
- Public charging: Sydney survey of Chargefox, Evie, NRMA, Tesla and BP Pulse prices, July 2026.
- Car specs and prices: manufacturer figures as published by CarExpert, AEVA EV fact sheets, Drive and EV Central's car guide. Some prices are the publisher's estimates; check with a dealer.
- Servicing: published capped-price schedules (BYD Sealion 7, BYD Seal, Geely EX5, Jaecoo J5 EV, Kia EV5, Zeekr 7X). Tesla has no fixed service schedule and CarExpert's EV servicing comparison. Where a model's pricing isn't published yet we use the brand's nearest model and mark it as an estimate.
- Tyres: RACV puts EV tyre life at 20,000–40,000 km; replacement set prices from Gridly's 2026 EV tyre cost guide.
- Petrol and diesel: ACCC average retail unleaded and diesel prices in each capital city, 21 October 2026 (ACCC weekly fuel price monitoring).
- Plug-in hybrids: prices, battery sizes and claimed electric range from CarExpert, Cars24, Zecar and The Beep. Real-world electric range is taken as 80% of the claim; plug-ins charged at home each night are assumed to do up to 85% of driving on electricity. Petrol use with a flat battery is our estimate from reviews where makers don't publish one.
- Diesel utes and SUVs: claimed combined fuel use and prices from CarExpert, 4X4 Australia and CarSauce. The HiLux automatic, Prado and Mazda CX-60 D50e are 48-volt mild-hybrid diesels; their small battery assists the engine but can't drive the car on its own.
- Petrol mild hybrids (Suzuki Swift Hybrid, Mazda CX-60 G40e): claimed fuel use and prices from CarExpert.
- Hybrids: claimed fuel use, prices and capped-price servicing as published by CarExpert and CarsGuide. Petrol and hybrid tyres usually last 40,000–60,000 km (RACV); we use 50,000 km.
- Home chargers: typically $1,000–$3,000 installed, about $2,000 typical (What's the Damage, October 2026).
- Novated lease rules: PwC summary of the May 2026 FBT changes.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer.