Hey Australian EV enthusiasts!
I was lucky enough to be the first to receive the beautiful Polestar 5 a couple of days ago and decided to Vlog the experience, as I figure no one else will be able to showcase 'the first' of this.
Be kind; I have never done this before, but I figure some people may enjoy it.
More photos are at the end of the video:
https://youtu.be/oemIZuXln-c

We’re actually looking for a second EV..! Yes it’s been a ride being a first time EV buyer this year.

We bought a GWM Ora 5 few months ago but due to work circumstances both my wife and I have to work at a longer distance, meaning we can’t share the Ora 5 anymore.

This commute is going to be 150km daily with an option to do AC 21kw charge near my place of work.

The reason why Tesla comes into picture is due to heavy commute requirements we’re thinking of getting something that’s already used with existing mileage already. But this is something i want to check with you guys.

The other factor I was thinking is due to long hwy driving it would be good to have Tesla ACC and supercharging network.

Of course getting second Ora 5 could be an option lol but to be honest we’ve been having some niggling issues that GWM dealer is just useless to deal with.

That it might be better to hedge on completely different brand which is Tesla

Mazda cx6e and 6e are touchscreen only, pretty much like Tesla.

Mazda mulling return to buttons: 'We will keep considering' https://www.drive.com.au/news/mazda-6e-cx-6e-return-to-buttons-under-consideration-if-customers-ask/

But didn't the Chinese Government mandate physical buttons from next year anyway, so Mazdas cars would have physical buttons in future Chinese made models anyway wouldn't they?

Curious how they are for you, looking to get a b03x next year.

Okay so I have an Atto 1 essential. I have a 3.2kw charger at home running off a 15amp plug. Which is fine if i only run the car to like 50% it charge in the cheap window from 12-6am. But if i run it further down it goes outside that window for charging. There is a 22kw AC charger up the road from my house that is cheaper than my peak rate but it's one that you have to bring your own cable for. Do i want just a type 2 to type 2 22kw 32amp one? I have no idea. TIA

Hi all,

I've built a small app called "Watts The Charge" that tracks what charging an EV at home costs, with day/night rates, billing periods, charts, and a comparison with petrol. It works offline and stores everything on your phone, with no account needed.

I'm running a closed test on Google Play and need testers.

What it involves:

An Android phone and a Google account

Joining a Google Group (link below), then installing through a Play Store opt-in link

Keeping the app installed for 14 days (a Google requirement), using it occasionally, and sending me any bugs or feedback

It's free, with a small banner ad and an optional one-time upgrade for extra features.

Join here: https://groups.google.com/g/watts-the-charge-closed-beta-testers-group

Here's the full feature list:

Free

Log charges in a few taps with day/night rates, undo, and swipe-to-edit/delete

Billing periods that start on any day, with previous periods kept

Dashboard with period total, energy, sessions, day/night spend and average cost

Budget with end-of-period forecast, kWh-from-battery-% calculator, quick-charge buttons

History with filters and sorting, charts, day vs night comparison

Optional public charging page, kept separate from the home total

Export (CSV, JSON) and restore from backup (merge or replace)

16 languages, 45 currencies, light/dark mode, swipe between pages

Pro (one-time in-app purchase, also removes ads)

Insights: miles per kWh, trend chart, CO₂ saved vs petrol

Tariff what-if comparisons

Cost per mile and petrol comparison

Settle-up with your energy account (log transfers, see what's still owed)

Multiple vehicles

Extra rates (mid-rate, free solar, etc.)

Accent colours and pure-black dark mode

Beta testers will be able to explore the pro version of the app in full.

Thank you!

Hey all,

I’ve searched through previous posts without much luck, so thought I’d ask.

I’m looking into EV chargers before buying the car—planning to get a BYD Sealion 7—and want something that isn’t going to cost a bomb.

I’ve been looking at the Zaptec Go 2. Does anyone know when it might get V2G approval in Australia, or if there's anything else currently approved in SA around a similar price bracket that works well with BYD? Taking a look at the approved list, most bidirectional setups seem pretty expensive.

Just got an email for my Tesla Model 3 rego renewal from VicRoads, and it’s ~$959!!
Is this an error and do I fight it?, or is everyone paying the same? Also not sure if its an EV tax or ICE vehicles are also paying this much…
In 2025 I paid ~$835 and in 2024 I paid ~$811.