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Planning a road trip route in an EV
Melbourne to Sydney road trip in an EV
How to plan the best EV road trip routes
Plan an EV road trip with ease, with this guide to charging stations, driving range and four of the best road trips in Victoria.
If you’re driving one of the increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) on our roads, the good news is that many of the best road trips in Victoria cater to electric cars with charging stations.
From understanding charging speeds to where to stop to charge your electric car, here's how to plan for a successful EV road trip and four of the best routes from Melbourne.
Before you embark on your adventure, ensure that your car is prepared and safe for your road trip, pack an emergency car safety kit, and update your emergency roadside assistance plan. Download the VicEmergency app to your phone to check for official bushfire and extreme weather warnings.
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Modern EVs have driving ranges long enough to tackle a decent road trip.
EV driving range and charge times on a road trip
DC charging stations can deliver an impressive 400km of driving range to some EVs in 20 to 30 minutes. They range in power from around 50 to 350kW.
AC charging stations can take many hours to charge an EV for the same distance, but are often cheap or even free. These can be good solutions if you're staying for a while at the charge location, such as a holiday resort or shopping centre.
Here is a rough rule-of-thumb for how many kilometres of range can be added per hour of charging based on the type of charger being used:
- (AC) 7kW - Up to 40km
- (AC) 22kW - Up to 120km
- (DC) 50kW - Up to 300km
- (DC) 150kW+ - Up to 900km
Beware of relying too closely on an EV’s claimed driving range. A number of variables impact how quickly the vehicle’s battery will be consumed on a road trip, from hills and winds to the use of air conditioning. While most EVs feature regenerative braking, which returns energy to the battery when lifting off the accelerator, this might be less effective during long-distance highway driving, for example.
More: How much solar do I need to charge an electric car?
Chargefox's ultra-rapid charging stations enable faster charging speeds. Image: Shannon Morris
Where to charge an EV on a road trip
Chargefox estimates there are more than 6,000 EV charging stations in more than 2,000 locations across Australia.
These EV charging stations comprise a mix of standard and fast chargers (less than 50kW), ultra-rapid chargers (350-475kW), and Tesla Superchargers (120kW V2 Superchargers and 250kW V3 Superchargers).
Around 2,000 of those charging stations are part of the Chargefox network, which has over 300 fast charging plugs across more than 100 locations, including several ultra-rapid sites that are mostly powered by renewable energy. RACV members can find their locations in the RACV app. They are also available in the Chargefox app.
You can also check whether your road trip destination has an EV charging station (or whether there’s one nearby) using the PlugShare website. Just enter your location and select the plug type you need.
RACV Members save at participating Chargefox ultra-rapid RACV charging stations
There are many EV charging stations along popular road trip stops.
Planning a road trip route in an EV
Undertaking some planning and mapping for a road trip in an electric car is advised. Depending on the road trip itinerary and EV's driving range, you need to ensure there are charging stations on the route, and allow sufficient time for charging.
The Chargefox app allows you to map out your road trip route and to check if chargers at stations are in use. Once you plug in and start your charging session, the Chargefox app will let you know in real time how your charge is going.
You should also make sure your emergency roadside assistance is up to date before leaving. Electric cars get the same benefits and more with RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance, which offers help with common issues like lockouts, flat tyres or flat batteries Australia-wide. EVs can also be towed to the nearest accessible charging station if you're out of charge.
Check out these four EV road trip routes with convenient charging stations.
The best road trips to do in an electric car
Using the RACV City Club as your starting point in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, here's how to enjoy the best road trips in Victoria in an EV.
Our hypothetical electric car for these popular road trips is the MG4, which won our 'Best small electric car' category in 2024. We're using the 2024 MG4 XPOWER variant, with a claimed range of 400km and a price of $59,990 plus on-road costs. Note that extended freeway driving will take its range down a notch.
The MG4 XPOWER uses a CCS2 plug for DC fast charging, although it also has a Type 2 plug for standard AC charging when necessary.
Melbourne to Sydney road trip in an EV
The Hume Highway road trip from Melbourne to Sydney via Albury is a well-worn path for road trippers. The route is around 872km, so you'll need to charge your MG4 XPOWER at least three times.
Your first charging stop is at the RACV-Chargefox Euroa station, which offers fast charging up to 50kW for CCS2 and CHAdeMO plugs. Euroa is a little High Country town just 164km from inner Melbourne, meaning you're in for a relatively quick top-up stop.
Next up, stop at the Chargefox Holbrook station. It's 222km away from Euroa, leaving you plenty in the 'tank' and the opportunity to charge back up to full without taking too long. Explore the HMAS Otway submarine nearby and grab a bite at the Submarine Cafe next door. Just check your Chargefox app on approach, as there's only one CCS2 plug available. You can stop earlier at Barnawartha if it's busy.
Finally, pull in to the Chargefox station in Goulburn South a further 176km on. While your car is charging, you can walk to see the Big Merino, an iconic giant merino ram statue that's one of Australia's 'Big Things'. There's a gift shop and wool exhibition nearby.
From Goulburn, it's 200km to Sydney - plenty enough for your now fully-charged MG4 XPOWER. Just like Melbourne, there are plenty of public fast chargers in Sydney. Use the Chargefox app to find the most convenient one for you.
The Great Ocean Road trip in an EV
The sweeping bends and jaw-dropping vistas of the Great Ocean Road make it an enduringly alluring prospect for road trips. With plenty of EV chargers dotted along the trip, an electric-powered journey is easy to do.
The MG4 XPOWER could get from Melbourne to Warrnambool at the end of the Great Ocean Road without recharging, but a quick charging session will allow you to power up the EV while checking out some of the Great Ocean Road's best sights.
A handy first stop is the RACV Torquay Resort at the start of the Great Ocean Road, just over 100km from the RACV City Club. While your EV is plugged in at the resort’s Chargefox ultra-rapid station, take a stroll via the fairway path to the beach to check out the surf.
Warrnambool itself has a Chargefox station at the Flagstaff Hill carpark. The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village is a great living museum that tells the stories of hundreds of ships sunk along the notorious Shipwreck Coast and hosts Australia’s most significant shipwreck artefact collection.
On the way back to Melbourne, charge up at the Lorne Visitor Centre, where you can visit the nearby Swingbridge Café for a light lunch and walk along the Erskine River and Louttit Bay shore.
Victoria is filled with beautiful road trip routes.
Melbourne to Adelaide road trip in an EV
Whether you’re bound for one of Adelaide’s famous festivals, a footy match at Adelaide Oval, its sparkling food scene or the world-class vineyards nearby, there’s plenty to reward a road tripper heading to South Australia's capital in an electric car.
Given its range, the MG4 XPOWER should need only two charges on this 725km trip.
Horsham, which boasts an ultra-rapid Chargefox charger, is well-placed for your first stop. While charging, take a stroll around the stunning William Guilfoyle-designed botanical gardens or visit the renowned Horsham Regional Art Gallery. But you won't need long: the 350kW chargers can deliver up to 450km of range in 15 minutes - although not all EVs can charge at that rate.
Also stop at Keith's Chargefox 130kW fast charger. Walk up near Keith Skatepark to see Landrover on a Pole, a unique tourist attraction worth a photo.
From Keith, you can easily get to Adelaide a further 226km on.
More: The best stops on a Melbourne to Adelaide road trip
Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory road trip in an EV
White sandy beaches, magnificent scenery and an abundance of wilderness walks to suit all ages draw legions of nature lovers to Wilsons Promontory, and the 225km trip is achievable in an electric car.
Driving to Wilsons Promontory via Inverloch and back should only require one stop in an MG4 XPOWER. Plug in to the charger at the RACV Inverloch Resort and admire the sea views while you tuck into local and regional dishes at Radius Restaurant.
EV road trip check list
- Know the range of your EV
- Plan your road trip
- Pack your essentials, including charging cable
- Time your stops
- Know how long it takes your EV to charge
- Check if there's charging available at your accommodation
