What is COMCAR? and why it matters
Cars have long held a symbolic place in Australian culture: from the Holden versus Ford tribalism of yesteryear to today’s Sunday coffee runs in compact SUVs. They're more than just transport; they’re part of how we express who we are, what we value, and increasingly, what kind of future we want to back.
This symbolism carries even more weight when it comes to those in public office, particularly in light of government targets to lower transport-related emissions.
That’s why the composition of COMCAR’s official fleet isn’t just an internal procurement detail. The models COMCAR chooses to purchase set an example to voters, to industry, and to the next generation of buyers.
COMCAR: Driving change behind the scenes
For decades, COMCAR has been tasked with ferrying ministers, backbenchers and visiting dignitaries around Australia’s capital cities. Behind the scenes, it has been quietly working to electrify its operations.
In 2023, following extensive trials, COMCAR selected the BMW iX as the new standard fleet vehicle after a multiyear assessment of over a dozen EVs that also included the BMW iX40, BMW iX3, Polestar 2, Genesis GV60, Genesis GV70, Kia EV6, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Now, it is rolling out BMW iX electric SUVs into its fleet, replacing 92 diesel sedans and 45 Toyota Camry hybrids to fulfil a target for 75 per cent of new COMCAR passenger vehicle orders to be low emissions by 30 June 2025. The majority are the BMW iX xDrive40, as well as a few BMW iX xDrive50 variants for longer-range purposes.
BMW iX xDrive40 and xDrive50 Credit: Newspress Australia
Earlier trials between 2020 and 2022 with the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq Electric provided real-world insights into range, performance, and charging logistics. These trials were conducted in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne and informed a broader review of over 40 low-emission vehicles.
It's not an overhaul, but the shift is happening. Fleet data continues to be collected, analysed, and used to shape procurement going forward. And it’s not just the cars themselves – it’s the systems around them: charging infrastructure has been installed at all COMCAR depots, and 58 new EV chargers were recently rolled out at Parliament House to support this shift. Driver training, vehicle tracking integration, and ongoing serviceability upgrades are all part of the transition.
Testing parliamentary cars: more than just a lap around the block
So, how are these cars tested before being rolled out to MPs and ministers?
First, vehicles considered for COMCAR must pass through a procurement assessment that weighs up emissions, lifecycle costs, safety, and suitability for public service use. That means ANCAP ratings, repairability scores, and cost per kilometre are all factored in – not just sticker price or specs.
For EVs specifically, performance under load (e.g. full passenger capacity with luggage), ride comfort, and integration with existing scheduling software are tested. Vehicles are put through extended trial runs in the Canberra region and other capitals, with COMCAR drivers logging charging times, range consistency, and response in traffic.
In one trial, Tesla Model 3s and Hyundai Ioniq 5s were tested for heat resilience during summer. Cooling systems were monitored when the cars were left idling between pickups. Cold weather trials, on the other hand, looked at battery drain during Canberra’s frosty mornings. These might seem like small things, but they matter when the Prime Minister is being ferried to a dawn service or the Attorney-General needs to make a 6am flight.
Why the COMCAR fleet matters
You might be thinking, “Well, they’ve got more important things to worry about.” Fair call. But this isn’t just about cars. It’s about leadership, visibility, and whether the people setting climate policy are walking the talk.
Australians don’t expect perfection, but they do clock hypocrisy. When an MP campaigns on emissions reduction but rolls around in a diesel SUV, people notice.
Seeing electric vehicles used for everyday government duties chips away at the idea that EVs are not fit-for-purpose. It shows that they’re not only viable but preferable in high-demand, real-world scenarios — like those faced by the Commonwealth’s fleet.
It also supports market maturity. The more EVs purchased by government, the more manufacturers and service providers are incentivised to improve their local presence — whether that’s through right-hand drive production, better support networks, or increased charger deployment in government precincts.
Where to next?
The market for electric utes is gradually widening with the introduction of more plug-in hybrids, rural charging remains a work in progress, and the federal fleet isn’t immune to the same supply chain issues dogging private buyers. But the direction is clear – even if the pace varies.
By this time next year, most new COMCARs will be zero or low-emissions vehicles. More MPs are being seen behind the wheel of Teslas, BYDs, and Volvos and the shift to cleaner transport keeps moving.
Sources:
- Department of Finance (Ministerial & Parliamentary Services) – COMCAR EV Fleet Transition Update (May 2023) maps.finance.gov.au maps.finance.gov.au
- Department of Finance – COMCAR Electric Vehicle Trial Fact Sheet (2021) maps.finance.gov.au maps.finance.gov.au
- Commonwealth Fleet Vehicle Selection Policy (Dept. of Finance) finance.gov.au finance.gov.au
- Senate Estimates (Finance) – testimony on COMCAR fleet selection and EV consideration (Feb 2020) thedriven.io thedriven.io
- “Fully electric BMWs chosen over diesel and hybrids for Comcar fleet” – The Driven, 26 May 2023 (summarising Dept. of Finance statement) thedriven.io thedriven.io
- “Comcar confusion as Teslas tested, but not assessed for government fleet” – The Driven, 4 Mar 2020 thedriven.io thedriven.io
- Fleet EV News – Parliament House ready for EVs (Dec 2023) fleetevnews.com.au fleetevnews.com.au
