Canberra buyers have a reason to look at electric and hybrid cars that most of the country doesn't: the territory's duty system is built around tailpipe emissions, so the cleaner the car, the less you pay to put it on the road. The harder question is where to go to compare what's on offer without spending every Saturday in a different showroom.
We picked five Canberra dealerships from CDR's researched profiles whose ranges and services suit EV and hybrid buyers, one per dealer group, across Belconnen, Phillip and Gungahlin. Treat this as a shortlist to start from, and confirm current stock, pricing and wait times directly with each dealer.
Why the ACT maths favours low emissions
ACT motor vehicle duty is set by a car's combined tailpipe CO2 emissions, its value and whether it's new or used. For a new car under $45,000, a zero-emission (AAA) car pays $2.50 per $100, against $3.00 for a B-rated car and $4.53 for a D-rated one. The current rates run from 1 September 2025 to 31 January 2027, and new, higher rates for categories B, C, D and non-rated cars start on 1 February 2027. Emissions figures come from the Green Vehicle website, so check the exact variant there.
The whole BYD range under one Belconnen roof
BYD Canberra · Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory
BYD Experience Centre - Canberra is EV Dealer Group's Belconnen showroom on Josephson Street, covering BYD's electric and plug-in hybrid range from the Atto and Dolphin through the Seal, Sealion and Seal 6 to the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute. Test drives, online ordering and finance are all available.
A dedicated BYD service and repair centre operates from the same address, and fleet enquiries are handled directly. The site runs on BYD's shared national retail platform, so the Belconnen team is the one to ask about local stock, wait times and trading in your current car.
BYD CanberraRead the full CDR profile →A newer brand's hybrid and electric SUVs, up close
Geely Belconnen · Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory
Geely Belconnen on Josephson Street is the authorised Geely dealership for Canberra, selling new, demonstrator and used vehicles. The new range centres on the EX2, EX5 and Starray EM-i, with hybrid and electric models in the line-up, and its profile names families seeking SUVs and hybrid and EV buyers among those it suits.
Finance, servicing, parts and trade-ins are all handled on site. Used stock is mostly other-brand trade-ins such as Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia and Ford, which gives a wide pre-owned choice, and the team can tell you if a used Geely is in. Ask about warranty terms on the model you like when you visit.
Geely BelconnenRead the full CDR profile →Hybrid heartland on Canberra's northern edge
Canberra Toyota Gungahlin · Gungahlin, Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Toyota Gungahlin on O'Brien Place is one of Canberra Toyota's three ACT showrooms, alongside Belconnen and Phillip. It carries the full Toyota range, including hybrid and electric models such as the bZ4X, the Corolla and Camry, and the RAV4 and Kluger SUVs.
New, demonstrator and pre-owned Toyotas are sold on site, with servicing, parts, fleet and finance departments. A Sell my Car valuation tool helps with trade-ins. The three showrooms share one website and ordering system, so a quick call confirms which cars are at Gungahlin before you head out.
Canberra Toyota GungahlinRead the full CDR profile →Hybrid and electric SUVs with capped-price servicing
Gerald Slaven Chery Belconnen · Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory
Gerald Slaven Chery Belconnen sells the new Chery range, from the Tiggo 4 through the Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 SUVs to the electric E5, with hybrid and electric models in the line-up. Demonstrator and used vehicles are available too.
Ownership support is the draw: capped-price servicing with genuine parts, a roadside assistance program and warranty cover, plus finance and fleet services. Sales and parts run from 6 Josephson Street, while servicing is at a separate centre at 95 Nettlefold Street nearby. The team can confirm current availability before you visit.
Gerald Slaven Chery BelconnenRead the full CDR profile →For EV buyers who still want it to feel quick
CUPRA Garage Canberra · Phillip, Australian Capital Territory
CUPRA Garage Canberra on Melrose Drive in Phillip is the ACT showroom for CUPRA, a performance brand of Volkswagen Group Australia. The range spans petrol, plug-in hybrid and fully electric models, including the Terramar and Formentor SUVs, the electric Tavascan SUV coupe and the Leon hatch and wagon.
A new CUPRA carries a 5-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, plus 8 years of battery cover on EV models. Finance is offered, and servicing comes with an optional concierge pickup and drop-off. Pricing and stock run through a national platform, and the Phillip showroom can confirm both, along with any trade-in questions.
CUPRA Garage CanberraRead the full CDR profile →What to check on any EV or hybrid
- Look up the exact variant's combined CO2 figure on the Green Vehicle website, because it sets your ACT duty.
- If the car will be registered before 1 February 2027, check which duty rates apply to your contract date.
- Ask about the battery warranty: years, kilometres and whether it transfers if you sell.
- Buying used in the ACT? The statutory dealer warranty now covers hybrid and EV traction batteries on qualifying cars.
- Work out your home charging before you buy. The Green Vehicle website has a home charging calculator.
The bottom line
The ACT's duty rules give low-emission cars a head start, and the choice on offer is wide. These five dealerships cover the ground from dedicated EV brands to hybrid mainstays and a performance-minded European. Test drive across more than one, check each variant on the Green Vehicle website, and ask for the battery warranty and an itemised drive-away price so you can compare with confidence.
Quick answers
Do electric cars pay stamp duty in the ACT?
Yes. Zero-emission cars pay the lowest (AAA) rate, which for a new car under $45,000 is $2.50 per $100. They are not exempt.
Are ACT duty rates changing?
The current rates apply from 1 September 2025 to 31 January 2027. From 1 February 2027, higher rates apply to categories B, C, D and non-rated vehicles.
How long is cooling-off on a car bought from an ACT dealer?
3 clear business days on any motor vehicle bought from a dealer. The right ends if you sign a loss-of-right form before delivery.
Where do I find a car's CO2 figure for ACT duty?
On the Green Vehicle website. Look up the exact variant, because its combined CO2 figure sets the ACT duty category.
Does the ACT statutory warranty cover a used EV's battery?
Yes, on qualifying used cars. The ACT statutory dealer warranty now covers hybrid and EV traction batteries, for cars up to 10 years old and 160,000 km.
The CDR Five is chosen by CDR's editors from our dealer profiles. No dealership paid to appear in this story. Featured Dealers receive one labelled Knowledge Hub feature a month, and payment never buys favourable wording or a ranking.
No advice. Information provided by CDR does not constitute advice in any form. Always seek independent advice before making a decision. Taxes, fees and consumer laws vary between states and territories and can change. A CDR feature is not an endorsement of any dealership.
Sources
- ACT Revenue Office: motor vehicle duty: https://www.revenue.act.gov.au/duties/motor-vehicle-duty
- Green Vehicle website: https://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/
- ACT Legislation Register: Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977: https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/DownloadFile/a/1977-29/current/PDF/1977-29.PDF
