See what fuel costs you each year, then what would cut it. In the strongest scenario we model, switching to an EV on a novated lease saves around $6,112 a year; your saving depends on the car, your driving, and your salary (full assumptions).
Your annual petrol or diesel spend versus a pre-crisis baseline, with an equivalent electric vehicle comparison
Enter your details to see the personal impact across any fuel type.
Three popular EVs under the $91,661 luxury car tax threshold
| Per year | BYD DolphinHatchback | BYD Atto 3SUV | Tesla Model YSUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-away price | $33,890 | $44,381 | $58,900 |
| Fuel cost saving | $1,880 | $1,767 | $1,812 |
| FBT-exempt lease saving | $2,100 | $2,800 | $3,700 |
| Maintenance saving | $500 | $550 | $600 |
| Total saving | $4,480/yr | $5,117/yr | $6,112/yr |
Source: FuelCrisis editorial estimatesFuel saving is figured at the current national average petrol price (198 c/L); savings also assume 15,000 km/yr and grid charging, and the lease benefit needs employer salary packaging.How we measure this
How salary-packaging an electric vehicle could save you thousands per year
A novated lease lets you pay for an electric vehicle from your pre-tax salary. Eligible battery EVs under the $91,661 luxury car tax threshold (2026-27) attract a full FBT exemption, stacking with GST and marginal tax savings. Plug-in hybrids left the exemption on 1 April 2025. The full exemption runs to 31 March 2027; under changes announced in the May 2026 Budget (not yet legislated), it then narrows to EVs priced $75,000 or less (a 25 per cent discount applies above that), and from 1 April 2029 a 25 per cent discount replaces the exemption for all eligible EVs. Existing leases are grandfathered.
Based on ATO 2025-26 rates with the Medicare levy, indicative running costs, and the EV FBT exemption. Full assumptions.
Current federal and state support, with expiry dates
The Commonwealth reduced fuel excise on petrol and diesel from 53.7c/L to 20.6c/L (a 61.6 per cent cut) from 1 April 2026, saving roughly $23.67 on a 65L tank at the pump (the 33.1c/L excise delta becomes a 36.41c/L pump-price delta once GST is applied). On 20 June 2026 the government extended the relief at a reduced rate (Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief No. 2) Bill 2026): from 1 July to 2 August 2026 the excise sits at 36.6c/L (a 31.8 per cent cut), about 18.8c/L cheaper at the pump than the full rate (around $11.44 on a 65L tank). The cut applies automatically at the point of sale. The full 53.7c/L rate is scheduled to resume on 3 August 2026 unless further extended. Fuel supply is not affected; only the excise rate changes.
Trucks normally pay a road-user charge on top of fuel excise. It was set to zero from 1 April to 30 June 2026 during the deep cut, and from 1 July to 2 August 2026 it sits at 16 c/L (half its standard 32.4 c/L) alongside the reduced fuel-excise relief, before reverting on 3 August unless further extended. Easing freight costs reduces pressure on supply chain pricing for food and other essentials.
Under a National Cabinet deal, every state and territory funds a 5.7 c/L share of the fuel excise relief from 1 April 2026, continued for July on the same basis (PM's media release, 22 June 2026). The state contribution is built into the pump price alongside the Commonwealth cut; there is nothing to claim. South Australia's budget papers put its share at $38.1 million.
A one-off $100 payment for every valid WA driver's licence holder, claimed through the ServiceWA app. Applications opened 1 July 2026 and close 31 December 2026.
The 2026-27 NSW Budget funds a transport package instead of the earlier-flagged regional fuel rebates: $100 off vehicle registration (from 1 September 2026), a $50-a-week toll cap (from 6 July 2026), an Opal fare freeze, and extra FuelCheck price-enforcement funding.
All Victorian public transport fares are half price from 1 June 2026 to 1 January 2027, covering metropolitan trains, trams, buses, and V/Line regional services. This follows the free-travel period that ran from 1 April to 31 May 2026.
Tasmania has made all Metro buses and Bruny Island Ferry services free, and has extended the measure to 30 June 2027. Covers regional communities disproportionately affected by high fuel prices and limited alternatives.
The 2026-27 Queensland Budget lifts the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme mileage rate from 34 to 45 cents per kilometre ($11.7 million). This is health-travel relief for patients driving to medical care, not a general fuel subsidy.
The ACCC publishes weekly fuel price monitoring during the crisis and is watching retail margins for any failure to pass through the excise relief. It is monitoring, not a payment; report suspected gouging to the ACCC.
Source: FuelCrisis editorial estimatesCompiled from federal and state government announcements. Measures drop off this list automatically when their end dates pass.How we measure this
Lower-commitment options for cutting fuel use
Pay by the hour. Removes registration, insurance, and depreciation. Households that drop a second car can save a large portion of the $10,000 to $12,000/yr AAA-estimated total ownership cost.
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