A quick guide to using EV Match AU and reading the results.
EV Match AU ranks electric and hybrid cars by what they'll really cost you to own — not just the sticker price. You tell it your budget, your state and how you drive, and it works out the all-in cost for every car: purchase, stamp duty, registration, energy (charging and/or fuel), insurance, servicing, tyres and brakes — then ranks them for your situation.
When you've narrowed it down, tap the ＋ button on each car you're weighing up (it turns to a green ✓). A bar appears at the bottom — hit Compare to see those cars side by side in one table, with the best figure in each row highlighted and a plain verdict on which is cheapest to own over five years. You can compare up to four at once.
Depreciation — the value a car loses over time — is usually the biggest single cost of owning one, bigger than fuel or servicing. So each car shows an estimated resale value after five years, the total depreciation, and a "true 5-year cost" — what you're really out of pocket once you sell. This true cost (not just the sticker price) is what the ranking uses, which is why a car that holds its value well can beat a cheaper one that doesn't.
Resale here is a modelled estimate based on the car's type (electric vs hybrid), its class and price, and how strongly its brand has historically held value — it's not a valuation. Real resale depends on condition, kilometres and the market on the day, so open a car and use the "check a valuation" link before relying on it.
Eligible electric cars can be bought through a novated lease — a salary-packaging arrangement with your employer — and, because they're exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax, the whole cost (finance plus running costs) comes out of your pay before tax. That income-tax saving often makes an EV much cheaper than buying outright. Tick "Estimate a novated lease" and enter your salary to see, for each eligible EV, an estimated weekly cost, the yearly tax saving, the end-of-lease residual, and the saving versus buying outright.
To be FBT-exempt the car must be a battery electric (or hydrogen) vehicle priced under the fuel-efficient Luxury Car Tax threshold (about $91,661). Plug-in hybrids are no longer eligible for new leases (since 1 April 2025), and ordinary hybrids never were — the app flags these. The figures are indicative estimates using current tax rates and an assumed finance rate; they're not a quote or tax advice, and a lease provider will also pass on GST savings. Get a formal quote and check with your tax adviser before committing.
Stamp duty, registration and EV concessions are different in every state and territory, so the same car can cost noticeably more or less depending on where it's registered. Each car's detail view shows the duty for your state and the cheapest states for comparison.
Buying interstate usually won't dodge your state's duty: duty is set by where you register the car — where you live or garage it — not where you buy it. A genuine relocation may be exempt if the car was already registered in your name and you transfer within three months. This is general guidance, not legal advice — confirm with your state's road and revenue office.
If you hold a pensioner or concession card, tick the concession box to apply an estimated registration concession for your state.
A plug-in hybrid's running cost depends on how much you charge versus how much you drive on petrol. The "share of driving on electric" slider lets you set that — move it to match how you'd actually use the car, and the plug-in hybrids' costs update. It only affects plug-in hybrids (PHEVs); full hybrids and mild hybrids always run on petrol, and electric cars always run on electricity.
So you can judge the figures for yourself:
Every figure here is a modelled estimate to help you shortlist, not a quote. Before you buy, confirm the drive-away price with a dealer, get a real insurance quote, and check on-road costs with your state's revenue office. See the Disclaimer for the full detail.
Is it free? Yes — it's free while in early access.
How accurate are the numbers? They're careful modelled estimates to help you make a shortlist, using representative state rules and current data — they are not quotes. Always confirm the drive-away price, an insurance quote and your on-road costs before buying.
Where does my information go? Your inputs (budget, salary, etc.) stay in your own browser; we only log anonymous usage to improve the tool, and never sell data. See the Privacy page.
Why isn't my exact variant listed? We cover popular variants across all price bands. Use the links inside each car to confirm the specific model, current pricing and reviews.
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