The Ultimate Guide to Hiring an Electric Vehicle in Tasmania

Thinking about exploring Tassie in an EV? You're in good company — and you're asking exactly the right questions. Tasmania and electric vehicles are, honestly, a match made in heaven. Clean air, winding scenic roads, a small enough footprint that range anxiety melts away, and — here's the kicker — nearly 100% renewable electricity powering the grid. That means every kilometre you drive with Tasvanlife is genuinely, authentically emissions-free. Not just on paper. Really.

But we know you've got questions. So let's answer every single one of them — honestly, clearly, and without the fluff.

Can I drive an electric vehicle in Tasmania?

Absolutely — and you'll wonder why you ever drove anything else.

Tasmania's roads are perfectly suited to electric vehicles. The state is compact, the driving distances between its most beloved destinations are totally manageable, and the roads are some of the most scenic you'll ever put a tyre on. Whether you're tracing the East Coast, winding through the Huon Valley, or heading up to Cradle Mountain, an EV handles it all comfortably.

First time behind the wheel of an electric vehicle? No stress. We walk every guest through everything they need to know at pickup — how it drives, how charging works, and how to get the most out of every kilometre. Within about ten minutes, it'll feel completely natural. By day two, you won't want to go back to petrol.

And just so you know: your Tasvanlife campervan leaves with you at 90% charge or above, so you're hitting the road with plenty of range from the very first moment.

Are there many EV charging stations in Tasmania?

A lot more than most people expect — and the network is growing fast.

As of mid-2026, Tasmania has 58 publicly available DC charging stations, with 43 of those delivering 40 kW or more. At least five more are currently under development and expected to open before the end of 2026, bringing the total to over 60.

For road-trippers, the most practical headline is this: there are six ultra-rapid chargers along the 300 km main highway route between Hobart and Devonport — at Brighton, Campbell Town, Longford, Westbury, Elizabeth Town/Christmas Hills, and Kings Meadows — giving you plenty of choice about where to stop for a coffee and comfort break with a quick top-up along the way.

Beyond the main corridor, a second tier of faster chargers (65–90 kW) can be found at 14 sites, including regional stops at Oatlands, Swansea, Burnie, and Cradle Mountain. More than half of Tasmania's 50–65 kW chargers are also in regional areas, with sites at Strahan, Geeveston, Port Arthur, Bicheno, and Scottsdale among others — better suited to a leisurely meal stop than a quick coffee break, but still very practical.

For those exploring further afield, useful DC chargers are also found at Swansea, St Helens, Queenstown, and Smithton. Many of the state's 17 slower 24 kW sites are located at wineries, pubs, and cafes where a relaxed hour-long stop can still add over 75 km of range.

And for overnight stays, there are more than 200 locations across Tasmania — campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, and parking areas — offering AC charging that can fully recharge a vehicle overnight or add 10–25 km of range per hour.

The network continues to expand, with around half a dozen new sites added each year, and existing sites regularly upgraded with more bays and higher power.

Here's the map showing all available charging stations in Tasmania

To make things even easier, we've put together a series of self-guided tour itineraries — each one mapped out with electric recharge points built right in, so the planning is already done for you. Download them here and start dreaming. Of course, if you've booked with us and you'd like to run your own itinerary past us before you arrive, we're always happy to take a look and make sure you're set up for a smooth, stress-free trip.

What is the range of a hired electric vehicle?

Enough to go further than you think — and Tasmania is smaller than you remember.

The distance from Hobart to Launceston is around 200 km. The whole Lap of Tasmania — the grand circuit most visitors dream about — is roughly 1,800 km in total, which across a week or two of travelling is very achievable with regular charging stops along the way.

Our rental vans can travel 250 km comfortably on a full charge, even in relatively adverse conditions — headwinds, cold weather, hilly terrain, or higher highway speeds. When conditions are more favourable and you're taking it easy, range can extend up to 400 km.

A few things that influence real-world range: cold weather, hills (there are a few of those in Tassie!), and highway speeds. But in practice, planning around Tasmania's natural rhythm of stops makes this effortless.

"Don't stop to charge — charge when you stop for lunch, shopping, or to explore the area."

That's really the mindset shift. Pull in, plug in, go explore. By the time you've had a meal, wandered around a gallery, or walked to a lookout, your van has topped up and you're ready to go. And given how many beautiful places there are to stop and take in the view, that's rarely an inconvenience.

How long does it take to charge an EV?

It depends on the charger — but it's usually shorter than you'd expect, and always a good excuse to stop somewhere worth stopping. Tasvanlife campervans charge at up to 140 kW, and in practice deliver around 80–100 kW at most fast charging sites. Here's what that looks like in real terms:

Charger Type	Typical Charge Rate	Range Added per 15 min	20–80% Charge Time
Ultra-rapid DC (90 kW+)	90 kW	~75 km	~30 min
Fast DC (75 kW)	70 kW	~60 km	~45 min
Standard DC (50 kW)	48 kW	~40 km	~60 min
Slower DC (24 kW)	22 kW	~20 km	~2.5 hrs
AC (11 kW)	10.5 kW	~10 km	~5 hrs
AC (7 kW)	6.5 kW	~5 km	~8 hrs

There are more than 20 faster DC charging sites across Tasmania — mostly along highway routes and in larger towns, but also at some regional highlights including Cradle Mountain, Swansea, and Burnie.

That's really the key. At a fast DC charger, a 45-minute lunch stop adds 150–200 km of range. Overnight at AC-equipped accommodation and you wake up to a full battery. Charging fits naturally into a relaxed Tasmanian road trip — it doesn't interrupt it.

How much does it cost to recharge an EV?

Less than petrol — and at many stops across Tasmania, it's included. When renting with Tasvanlife, charging at over 50 sites around the state is included in your rental fee, so for much of your trip you simply plug in and go at no extra cost.

If you do charge outside those sites, public fast DC chargers typically cost between 40 and 85 cents per kWh — and even then, it works out to be meaningfully cheaper than the equivalent in petrol. To give a real-world sense of it: charging around 60 kWh at a public charger — a little over 80% of the van's battery, good for roughly 200–300 km of driving — would cost somewhere between $24 and $42. Compare that to what a tank of petrol costs you.

Some stops are free. A number of shopping centres, council car parks, and businesses offer complimentary charging, and some accommodation providers include it as part of their guest offering — worth asking about when you book.

There's also a quieter benefit to overnight charging at campgrounds and accommodation with powered sites: you wake up with a full or nearly full battery, ready to start the day, often at minimal or no extra cost beyond your site fee. We're working with hosts across the state to make this option as widely available as possible.

For most visitors, the total charging cost across a week of exploring Tasmania works out to a fraction of what they'd spend on petrol. It's one of those genuinely pleasant surprises.

Where can I rent an electric campervan in Tasmania?

As we're writing this post, there's really only one answer: Tasvanlife. We're Tasmania's dedicated electric campervan hire company — and we built this whole operation around the belief that exploring Tassie should be as good for the island as it is for you. That means purpose-fitted electric campervans, not converted afterthoughts. It means genuine local knowledge baked into every booking — route planning, charging stop recommendations, and a team that actually cares how your trip goes. It means leaving with a fully charged van, all the cables you need, and the confidence that comes from knowing someone's got your back on the road.

Other hire companies might offer an EV option as a checkbox. For us, it's the whole point. If you want to see Tasmania properly — quietly, cleanly, and without a fuel bill — See our electric campervans.

A few other things people always ask us…

"Do I need to download any apps?"

It helps to have a couple on your phone. Apps like PlugShare, Chargefox, and Evie Networks show you nearby chargers in real time with live availability. We'll point you to the ones worth having when you collect your vehicle.

"What if I run low on charge in a remote area?"

Honest answer: Tasmania isn't as remote as its reputation suggests. With sensible planning — which we help you with — it simply doesn't happen. That said, we include all the charging cables you need, including a standard Australian powerpoint adapter for a slow top-up at almost any accommodation if you ever need it.

"Is it complicated to charge?"

Not at all. Plug in, confirm payment on an app or tap your card, and walk away. It's genuinely easier than a petrol station.

"What if this is my first EV ever?"

Then you're in for a treat. Come with an open mind and leave a convert. We've yet to meet anyone who didn't love it.

Ready to explore Tasmania the cleanest, quietest, most enjoyable way possible?

Book my Electric Campervan