Travel around Tasmania in an electric vehicle
This is everything you need to know for a smooth electric vehicle road trip of Tasmania.
Consider Tasmania’s next-level road trip scenery and eco-friendliness your sign to take an EV road trip in Tasmania.
Compact, easy to navigate and with an expanding charging network – range anxiety is a distant concern when getting around Tasmania. In fact, Tasmania is one of the easiest states in Australia to travel in an EV; the island’s almost entirely renewable energy grid makes it an EV driver’s dream.
Here’s our guide on what you should know before you hit the road.
How to get your electric vehicle to Tasmania
As an island, EV drivers have two options: rent from an EV provider, or bring your own vehicle on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.
Flying in: Hiring an EV at the airport
Hobart Airport and Launceston Airport are the main gateways for visitors entering Tasmania, and both offer electric vehicle hire. Cars are handed over at nearly full charge, so you can head straight off on your Tasmanian adventure.
A family-owned and operated social enterprise, Evry Drive specialises in Tesla Model Ys. You can pick-up and drop-off your car within 20km of Hobart or hire an electric car in Launceston city centres.
Evry Drive car hire, Tassie road trip
Tasmania’s first official EV rental company, Drive Car Hire has helped power up road trips since 2021. With a fleet of Teslas and Mustang Mach-Es, visitors can hire an electric car from Hobart Airport and Launceston Airport, with the choice of a one-way rental. For customers who would rather a local expert take the wheel, the company offers an itinerary planning concierge service.
Car-sharing platform evee (like Airbnb but for cars) has an all-electric fleet in various locations from Devonport to Burnie, Queenstown and the Huon Valley.
It’s also possible to rent electric vehicles from some major chains at Tasmanian airports. SIXT offers rental at Launceston Airport, Hobart Airport, Hobart city and Launceston Western Junction. Check Discover Tasmania for current listings.
Bringing your own EV on the Spirit of Tasmania
Enjoy sweeping views of the Bass Strait while taking your electric vehicle on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.
You’ll need to declare your vehicle at the time of booking. On arrival, EVs are loaded into a safety area, leaving you free to roam the ship’s onboard facilities, including a cosy cinema and restaurants. For safety reasons, electric vehicles undergo an inspection at the time of boarding, so they shouldn’t be under active recall and crew should be notified of any warning lights.
Charging isn’t currently available on ships, so make sure you arrive with enough power. But in good news, the new Spirit of Tasmania IV and V vessels will include 20 AC charging points for the Geelong to Devonport route.
Evry Drive car hire, EV charging in Queenstown
EV charging in Tasmania: What you need to know
Charging networks operating in Tasmania
Despite being a small island, there’s an extensive network of EV chargers in Tasmania. Chargefox, Evie Networks, Electric Highway Tasmania, Electrona, BP Pulse and NRMA chargers are scattered around the place so you can stay topped up, even in the island’s far-flung regions.
EV charging stations in Hobart are easy to find, with over 50 public and semi-public electric vehicle (EV) charging connectors. The network is growing rapidly, partly thanks to ChargeSmart grants adding 33 fast chargers, 46 workplace chargers and 11 more public stations.
Before you travel, save time by downloading the free PlugShare Tasmania app. This map shows network chargers in real time – guiding you towards the right type, power rating and live availability.
Of course, there are plenty of readily available fuel stops across Tasmania too if you’re driving a hybrid or a car requiring petrol. For peace of mind before venturing into remote areas, check TasALERT for up-to-date fuel supply facts and find real-time fuel prices and service station locations at FuelCheck TAS. And if you’re travelling Tasmania without a car, you’ve got plenty of alternative options at the ready – from walking and biking to guided tours and public transport.
Evry Drive car hire, below Hobart’s Tasman Bridge at night
Destination charging: Charge while you sleep
While you’re fast asleep and recharging for your travels ahead, your EV can recharge too. Many Tassie hotels offer AC destination chargers or 15-amp power points.
Even in remote Cradle Mountain, several hotels offer electric vehicle chargers outside, like the Discovery Resorts and Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village.
Search for electric vehicle charging points on Discover Tasmania or use the accommodation finder for EV-friendly stays – but book early, as accommodation with EV charging tends to book up quickly in high season.
Planning your EV road trip: suggested routes
Wondering where to go? Try these EV-friendly loops of Tasmania.
Loop 1: The classic south and east
7–10 days | from Hobart
From seafood and cellar doors to unique wildlife, get a taste of Tasmania on an electric east coast road trip. Set off from Hobart before driving to the convict-era ruins of Port Arthur, stopping at Sorell to recharge. Cruise up to the pristine beaches of Freycinet, recharge at laidback coastal town St Helens and continue to the blazing orange rocks of the Larapuna / Bay of Fires area. End your trip in Launceston with a final recharge in Kings Meadows before flying home, or returning to Hobart.
Evry Drive car hire, travelling from southern Tasmania to the east coast
Loop 2: The full lap
10–14 days | from Hobart
Discover hidden gems on a full circuit of Tasmania. Set off from Hobart to Port Arthur, pausing in Sorell to recharge. Continue up the east coast, taking in the views of Freycinet Peninsula and the beachside town of Bicheno. Head west to Launceston and breathe in the alpine air at Cradle Mountain, where select accommodation offers overnight charging. Call in at the remote town of Strahan, charging on the west coast in either Queenstown, Strahan or Zeehan before returning to Hobart.
Stay safe on the road
Follow these safety tips before you go:
- Check the weather forecast and road closures before you set out.
- Plan your route, drive to the conditions and allow plenty of time to drive between destinations.
- Download offline maps and emergency apps – mobile reception can be patchy in remote areas and apps can be inaccurate.
- You’re sharing the roads with native wildlife, so take it slowly and be alert – especially between dusk and dawn when wildlife is most active. 
EV charging station on Tasmania’s west coast
Tips for a stress-free EV road trip in Tasmania
Our road-tested advice for an EV road trip Tasmania:
- Before setting off, download PlugShare, a real-time map of EV charging stations in Tasmania.
- Save money at public charging stations by charging to around 80% – charging speeds slow after this point. Ultra-rapid chargers may be more expensive the longer you stay plugged in.
- Leave your EV charging overnight at your hotel and wake up with both you and your EV feeling fully recharged.
- Tasmania’s weather is famously unpredictable (that’s part of the fun). Cold weather, mountain roads and highway speeds can reduce range – so add a 20% charge buffer.
- Don’t take a chance and run your battery to zero. Arrive at a charger with at least 20% charge remaining.
- Most hire companies will deliver your vehicle almost fully charged.
- Know that as an EV driver you’re a natural fit – Tasmania runs on nearly 100% renewable electricity. Every kilometre driven is genuinely emissions-free.
EV driving in Tasmania FAQs
Yes – the Spirit of Tasmania welcomes electric vehicles, but they should be flagged at the time of booking. Onboard charging isn’t currently possible, so make sure vehicles have enough charge to drive on and off the ferry. The new Spirit of Tasmania IV and V vessels are getting a refresh and will soon offer onboard AC charging points.
EV hire is available throughout Tasmania, from cities to smaller towns. The easiest option is to rent your EV from a bigger city, like Hobart or Launceston Airport. Here, options include Drive Car Hire, Evry Drive and evee. Well-known chains, such as SIXT, offer EVs at major Tasmanian airports.
Range anxiety in Tasmania isn’t a concern due to an expanding network of public fast and ultra-rapid chargers, with stations dotted every 50km along major routes. Find ultra-rapid chargers at Campbell Town, Brighton, Kings Meadows and Westbury. You can check the free PlugShare site or app to find real-time charger information.
That depends on the charger. Ultra-rapid DC chargers (150–350kW) in Campbell Town, Brighton, Kings Meadows and Westbury can add up to 300km of charge in around 15mins. Fast DC chargers (50–80kW) at Devonport, Burnie, Sorell and Bicheno can boost charge by 20–80% in 30–60mins. The easiest option is Overnight AC charging at your accommodation – you’ll start each day with a full battery.
Tasmania is one of Australia’s best EV road trip destinations. The size is manageable, the charging infrastructure is growing and the road network is destined for adventures. The state’s rare nearly-entirely renewable electricity grid means every kilometre driven is emissions-free. For first-time EV drivers, hire companies offer full concierge support with itinerary planning and charging stop support.