Getting your P-plates is one of the best feelings in the world. But right after the excitement settles, the big question hits: what car should you actually buy? For decades, the standard Aussie first car was a cheap, second-hand petrol hatchback or a hand-me-down family sedan. But with electric vehicles (EVs) becoming more common on Queensland roads, a lot of new drivers and their parents are asking if an electric car is a smart choice for a first vehicle.
As local automotive experts, we see hundreds of different cars every week. Here is our honest, straightforward breakdown of the pros and cons of choosing an EV as your first car in Australia.
The Big Pros of an EV for New Drivers
1. You Wave Goodbye to Petrol Prices
Let’s be honest, filling up a car on a part-time wage or student budget is painful. One of the biggest perks of an EV is how cheap they are to run. If you (or your parents) have solar panels on the roof, you can essentially charge your car for free during the day. Even charging off the grid overnight is significantly cheaper than buying a tank of unleaded.
2. They Are Incredibly Easy to Drive
If you struggled with stalling a manual car while learning to drive, an EV will feel like a dream. There are no gears to shift, the acceleration is incredibly smooth, and regenerative braking means the car automatically slows down when you take your foot off the pedal. It allows new drivers to focus 100% on the road and their surroundings, rather than fighting with the mechanics of the car.
3. Top-Tier Safety Tech
When you are just starting out, having a car that looks out for you is a massive bonus. Most EVs are packed with modern safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Because batteries are heavy and sit low in the floor, EVs also have a very low centre of gravity, making them incredibly stable and hard to roll over.
The Reality Check (The Cons)
1. The Upfront Price Tag
This is the biggest hurdle. The classic “first car budget” in Australia is usually around $5,000 to $10,000. Right now, even the cheapest second-hand electric vehicles on the used market cost well above that. While the running costs are low, the initial barrier to entry is very high for a young driver.
2. Charging Logistics for Renters
If you live at home with a driveway, charging is easy. But if you are a young person planning to move out into a rental property or an apartment complex in Brisbane, charging becomes a headache. Many older unit blocks don’t have power points in the visitor parking or basement, meaning you’ll be relying on public fast chargers—which can be expensive and time-consuming.
3. Insurance Costs
Insurance is already notoriously high for P-platers. Because EVs contain expensive battery packs and specialised technology, insurance premiums can sometimes be higher than they are for a standard petrol Toyota or Hyundai.
The Verdict: Is an EV the Right First Car?
If budget isn’t an issue and you have a reliable place to charge it every night, an EV is a fantastic, safe, and modern first car. It teaches you the driving habits of the future.
However, for the vast majority of Aussie P-platers, a reliable, affordable used petrol or hybrid car is still the most practical choice for a few more years until the second-hand EV market becomes more affordable.
Upgrading to an EV? Let Us Handle the Old Car
If you or your family are making the switch to an electric vehicle, you might be wondering what to do with the older petrol car sitting in the driveway. Instead of dealing with the hassle of private buyers and dodgy offers, Aplus Car Removal makes it easy.
As Brisbane’s trusted Cash for Cars Brisbane service, we buy unwanted, old, or damaged vehicles directly from your property. If you need a fast and fair way to sell my car Brisbane to put cash toward that new EV deposit, give our friendly team a call today on 0423 514 111. We offer free towing and instant payment on the spot.