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About the NRMA Renew Support

Bridie Schmidt

EV Hub Editor

Bridie Schmidt

Meet our EV Hub Editor

Bridie Schmidt is the EV Hub Editor for the NRMA and was previously Associate Editor at TheDriven.io, where she played a key role in driving the publication’s audience to 10 million visitors annually with her sharp, engaging coverage of the fast-moving electric vehicle world. Since 2018, she’s been roadtested numerous EVs, championing their role in cutting carbon emissions and relishing the instant torque they deliver. Bridie was voted Electric Vehicle Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Newspress Awards, and she has also shared her insights on popular podcasts like Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki. When she's not convincing people EVs are the way of the future, you can find Bridie hiking to a waterfall or removing cat fur from her clothes.

Latest articles by Bridie Schmidt

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2 of 12

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Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto

Advice and how-to

What are the most affordable cars in Australia?

What are the most affordable cars in Australia?

Australia’s cheapest new cars start under $19,000, spanning light hatches, compact SUVs and hybrids. We compare specs and rivals to see which models offer the best value.

Australia’s cheapest new cars start under $19,000, spanning light hatches, compact SUVs and hybrids. We compare specs and rivals to see which models offer the best value.

Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto

Advice and how-to

What are the most affordable cars in Australia?

What are the most affordable cars in Australia?

Australia’s cheapest new cars start under $19,000, spanning light hatches, compact SUVs and hybrids. We compare specs and rivals to see which models offer the best value.

Australia’s cheapest new cars start under $19,000, spanning light hatches, compact SUVs and hybrids. We compare specs and rivals to see which models offer the best value.

Police checking drivers licence

Police checking drivers licence

Advice and how-to

15 weird road rules you need to know

15 weird road rules you need to know

Here are 15 weird and obscure NSW road rules every driver should know – from fog lights and horns to high beams, and whether you can leave your key in your car.

Here are 15 weird and obscure NSW road rules every driver should know – from fog lights and horns to high beams, and whether you can leave your key in your car.

Police checking drivers licence

Police checking drivers licence

Advice and how-to

15 weird road rules you need to know

15 weird road rules you need to know

Here are 15 weird and obscure NSW road rules every driver should know – from fog lights and horns to high beams, and whether you can leave your key in your car.

Here are 15 weird and obscure NSW road rules every driver should know – from fog lights and horns to high beams, and whether you can leave your key in your car.

A woman's hand holding a shower nozzle shaped electric vehicle charger, about to plug it into a car.

A woman's hand holding a shower nozzle shaped electric vehicle charger, about to plug it into a car.

Advice and how-to

Are electric cars cheap to run?

Are electric cars cheap to run?

We look at the electricity costs of electric vehicles and how they compare to the fuel costs of internal combustion engine cars.

We look at the electricity costs of electric vehicles and how they compare to the fuel costs of internal combustion engine cars.

A woman's hand holding a shower nozzle shaped electric vehicle charger, about to plug it into a car.

A woman's hand holding a shower nozzle shaped electric vehicle charger, about to plug it into a car.

Advice and how-to

Are electric cars cheap to run?

Are electric cars cheap to run?

We look at the electricity costs of electric vehicles and how they compare to the fuel costs of internal combustion engine cars.

We look at the electricity costs of electric vehicles and how they compare to the fuel costs of internal combustion engine cars.

Kia EV3 side view in front of garage door

Kia EV3 side view in front of garage door

2025 Kia EV3 owner review

2025 Kia EV3 owner review

EV owner Sarah says a Kia EV3 was the final piece of the puzzle in electrifying her life.

EV owner Sarah says a Kia EV3 was the final piece of the puzzle in electrifying her life.

Kia EV3 side view in front of garage door

Kia EV3 side view in front of garage door

2025 Kia EV3 owner review

2025 Kia EV3 owner review

EV owner Sarah says a Kia EV3 was the final piece of the puzzle in electrifying her life.

EV owner Sarah says a Kia EV3 was the final piece of the puzzle in electrifying her life.

A pink piggy-bank sits on an EV's charging plug

A pink piggy-bank sits on an EV's charging plug

Advice and how-to

Cheapest electric cars in Australia

Cheapest electric cars in Australia

The number of cheap electric cars in Australia is growing, with several models undercutting what used to be the entry price for EV ownership.

The number of cheap electric cars in Australia is growing, with several models undercutting what used to be the entry price for EV ownership.

A pink piggy-bank sits on an EV's charging plug

A pink piggy-bank sits on an EV's charging plug

Advice and how-to

Cheapest electric cars in Australia

Cheapest electric cars in Australia

The number of cheap electric cars in Australia is growing, with several models undercutting what used to be the entry price for EV ownership.

The number of cheap electric cars in Australia is growing, with several models undercutting what used to be the entry price for EV ownership.

A blue utility vehicle drives along a dirt road

A blue utility vehicle drives along a dirt road

Advice and how-to

What electric utes are available in Australia?

What electric utes are available in Australia?

Battery-powered, all-electric utes have big advantages over traditional utes but what’s available, and when?

Battery-powered, all-electric utes have big advantages over traditional utes but what’s available, and when?

A blue utility vehicle drives along a dirt road

A blue utility vehicle drives along a dirt road

Advice and how-to

What electric utes are available in Australia?

What electric utes are available in Australia?

Battery-powered, all-electric utes have big advantages over traditional utes but what’s available, and when?

Battery-powered, all-electric utes have big advantages over traditional utes but what’s available, and when?

Family enjoying some food on the jetty at CampCove in Watsons Bay, Sydney

Family enjoying some food on the jetty at CampCove in Watsons Bay, Sydney

Five Sydney winter staycation ideas

Five Sydney winter staycation ideas

Enjoy a getaway close to home this winter – explore Sydney’s coastal walks, go whale watching, and experience its neighbourhood dining, art galleries, parklands or just get out and enjoy fish and chips on the harbour.

Enjoy a getaway close to home this winter – explore Sydney’s coastal walks, go whale watching, and experience its neighbourhood dining, art galleries, parklands or just get out and enjoy fish and chips on the harbour.

Family enjoying some food on the jetty at CampCove in Watsons Bay, Sydney

Family enjoying some food on the jetty at CampCove in Watsons Bay, Sydney

Five Sydney winter staycation ideas

Five Sydney winter staycation ideas

Enjoy a getaway close to home this winter – explore Sydney’s coastal walks, go whale watching, and experience its neighbourhood dining, art galleries, parklands or just get out and enjoy fish and chips on the harbour.

Enjoy a getaway close to home this winter – explore Sydney’s coastal walks, go whale watching, and experience its neighbourhood dining, art galleries, parklands or just get out and enjoy fish and chips on the harbour.

Someone plugging a cable into their EV in their home garage

Someone plugging a cable into their EV in their home garage

Advice and how-to

Charging your EV at home

Charging your EV at home

How do you charge your EV at home, and how much does it cost to install an EV charger?

How do you charge your EV at home, and how much does it cost to install an EV charger?

Someone plugging a cable into their EV in their home garage

Someone plugging a cable into their EV in their home garage

Advice and how-to

Charging your EV at home

Charging your EV at home

How do you charge your EV at home, and how much does it cost to install an EV charger?

How do you charge your EV at home, and how much does it cost to install an EV charger?

Tesla Model Y

Tesla Model Y

Advice and how-to

Best electric SUVs to buy in Australia

Best electric SUVs to buy in Australia

We break down the top mid-size electric SUVs on the market, evaluating tech, space, and pricing to help make the right choice based on budget.

We break down the top mid-size electric SUVs on the market, evaluating tech, space, and pricing to help make the right choice based on budget.

Tesla Model Y

Tesla Model Y

Advice and how-to

Best electric SUVs to buy in Australia

Best electric SUVs to buy in Australia

We break down the top mid-size electric SUVs on the market, evaluating tech, space, and pricing to help make the right choice based on budget.

We break down the top mid-size electric SUVs on the market, evaluating tech, space, and pricing to help make the right choice based on budget.

Someone reads their tablet while waiting beside their charging EV

Someone reads their tablet while waiting beside their charging EV

Advice and how-to

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

Understand how long it takes to charge an electric car and what affects charging speed.

Understand how long it takes to charge an electric car and what affects charging speed.

Someone reads their tablet while waiting beside their charging EV

Someone reads their tablet while waiting beside their charging EV

Advice and how-to

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

Understand how long it takes to charge an electric car and what affects charging speed.

Understand how long it takes to charge an electric car and what affects charging speed.

A person enjoying a coffee while charging their EV

A person enjoying a coffee while charging their EV

Advice and how-to

EV grants and incentives for businesses

EV grants and incentives for businesses

The Australian Federal and some state governments offer grants to promote EV adoption in businesses. Here's a breakdown of current and closed opportunities.

The Australian Federal and some state governments offer grants to promote EV adoption in businesses. Here's a breakdown of current and closed opportunities.

A person enjoying a coffee while charging their EV

A person enjoying a coffee while charging their EV

Advice and how-to

EV grants and incentives for businesses

EV grants and incentives for businesses

The Australian Federal and some state governments offer grants to promote EV adoption in businesses. Here's a breakdown of current and closed opportunities.

The Australian Federal and some state governments offer grants to promote EV adoption in businesses. Here's a breakdown of current and closed opportunities.

2026 BYD Atto 2 vs Jaecoo J5 EV montage

2026 BYD Atto 2 vs Jaecoo J5 EV montage

Car comparisons

Spec battle: 2026 BYD Atto 2 vs Jaecoo J5 EV

Spec battle: 2026 BYD Atto 2 vs Jaecoo J5 EV

The BYD Atto 2 undercuts the Jaecoo J5 EV on price, but the Jaecoo hits back with more range, space and faster charging. So which affordable EV is best?

The BYD Atto 2 undercuts the Jaecoo J5 EV on price, but the Jaecoo hits back with more range, space and faster charging. So which affordable EV is best?

2026 BYD Atto 2 vs Jaecoo J5 EV montage

2026 BYD Atto 2 vs Jaecoo J5 EV montage

Car comparisons

Spec battle: 2026 BYD Atto 2 vs Jaecoo J5 EV

Spec battle: 2026 BYD Atto 2 vs Jaecoo J5 EV

The BYD Atto 2 undercuts the Jaecoo J5 EV on price, but the Jaecoo hits back with more range, space and faster charging. So which affordable EV is best?

The BYD Atto 2 undercuts the Jaecoo J5 EV on price, but the Jaecoo hits back with more range, space and faster charging. So which affordable EV is best?

Read more on our in-house writers

Read more on our in-house writers

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Man driving a blue 2011 Toyota Hilux