If you’ve found yourself driving around the city a lot less lately, you’re not alone. And with fuel at a premium right now, a lot of us are starting to turn our attention to electric transport. From public transport and e-scooters to e-bikes and EVs, here’s how you can get around Adelaide without forking out for fuel.
Public transport
If you’re not ready to buy anything new, public transport is the simplest place to start.
Adelaide’s tram network is one of the easiest electric ways to move between the city and Glenelg, as well as between the Botanic Gardens and Entertainment Centre. If you’re just travelling in the ‘free zone’, the area between the South Terrace stop, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Festival Plaza and the Botanic Gardens, you won’t even need to pay a fare.
The city’s tram network used to expand well beyond these lines, and perhaps the current state of affairs is reason for some reinvestment into this efficient electric mode of transport.
Adelaide’s new electric buses are being rolled out from the Morphettville depot and will run on the same kinds of metropolitan Adelaide routes currently served by diesel buses, rather than on a single dedicated electric-only line.
For more info, click here.
E-Bikes
E-bikes have become a much more realistic option in Adelaide, especially for shorter inner-city trips.
South Australia legalised personal mobility devices, including e-scooters, in July 2025, making them an easy option for first-mile, last-mile travel and quick commutes.
What to know:
- Riders must be at least 16
- Helmets are required
- Speed limits apply depending on where you ride
- No licence or registration is needed
For people looking to properly cut down car use, e-bikes are becoming one of the strongest options.
Some of the most popular brands right now include Kalkhoff, NCM and Rilu. Kalkhoff sits at the more premium end of the market and is known for commuter-friendly features like step-through frames and in-frame batteries. NCM is a strong mid-range option, particularly for first-time buyers, while Rilu stands out for folding models that are well suited to city riders, since you can bring them on public transport.
Adelaide Metro rules mean:
- Folding bikes can be taken on buses, trains and trams for free when folded and enclosed in a bag
- Full-size bikes are not allowed on buses or trams
- Full-size bikes can be taken on trains
- A separate concession fare applies for full-size bikes during weekday peak periods
- Bike cages and lockers are available at selected stations and interchanges
This is where folding e-bikes really stand out for mixed-mode travel.
Best for:
- Train commuters
- City workers
- People who want to combine cycling with public transport
E-Scooters
If you don’t want to fork out for a brand new electric bike, you’re not alone. If you’re travelling around the city, shared e-scooter hire is a fantastic option.
In Adelaide, e-scooter hire is currently operated by Beam and Neuron within designated trial areas across the city and North Adelaide. Riders need to be at least 18, download one of the provider apps, create an account with payment details, and use the app to find and unlock a scooter.
There are heaps of scooters around the city which you can find easily through each brand’s app. It typically costs $1 to unlock, then 60c per minute to ride a Neuron e-scooter. You can also buy a range of ‘ride passes’ to save money if you find yourself jumping on the e-scooter a lot.
The scooters are GPS tracked and geo-fenced, meaning they can only be ridden and parked within the approved area which includes most of the CBD and North Adelaide up to City Ring Route. Riders also need to follow South Australian road rules, and e-scooters are not permitted in places like Rundle Mall.
The approved area can be found here.
If you still need a car: EVs
For people who are not ready to give up driving altogether, EVs are becoming the bigger-picture electric option. You still get the convenience of a car, but without relying on petrol in the same way.
Why EVs are getting more attention:
- Fuel costs are pushing drivers to reconsider petrol
- Home charging can be much cheaper than filling up a tank
- EVs generally have fewer moving parts and lower maintenance needs
- Adelaide’s layout makes them practical for many daily trips
South Australia’s charging network has also grown, making public charging more accessible across the state.
Things to consider:
- Upfront cost is still higher than many petrol cars
- Home charging access makes a big difference
- Longer regional travel may need more planning
The Glam Adelaide company car is, in fact, an all-electric MINI Countryman. As an EV driver, Glam Adelaide’s Kelly Noble has found there are still plenty of misconceptions about going electric, particularly around the cost of charging and ease of access to charging points.
One of the biggest surprises is that it can be way cheaper than you might think. In fact, to charge the Countryman, which gets driven every day, it costs Kelly about $15 once a week. A full charge gives about 430 to 450km of range. All it takes is a bit of planning, because you will have to leave your car on charge for a couple of hours at a regular speed charging point. But if you don’t have the time, there are plenty of fast chargers around SA. For a full regular speed charge in a CBD U-Park, it costs about $20, just over half the cost of a fast charge in Glenelg, at $37.
For more info, check out our article on EVs: Experts weigh in on whether Adelaide is ready for an EV future
