Australians researching an electric vehicle can now access official Vehicle Emissions Star Ratings directly inside the zecar EV database.
zecar has integrated ratings from Vehicle Emissions Star Rating (VESR) across every EV model listed in its database, giving users another practical data point when comparing vehicles.
This means Australians can now view a vehicle’s VESR rating alongside key EV information such as range, charging speed, battery type, dimensions, price and other ownership considerations.
The update helps users compare EVs using trusted and easy-to-understand information.
Why This Matters for EV Buyers
Buying a car often involves comparing many factors at once such as; price, range, charging and environmental considerations.
By adding VESR directly into the zecar database, users can assess these factors faster .
This is especially useful for:
- First-time EV buyers comparing options
- Fleet managers assessing cleaner vehicle choices
- Households weighing EVs against petrol, diesel or hybrid alternatives
- Buyers who want trusted government emissions data
What is VESR?
Vehicle Emissions Star Rating (VESR) is a six-star rating system designed to help Australians compare the tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions of light vehicles. Think of it as the energy star rating equivalent for vehicle CO2 tailpipe emissions.
The more stars a vehicle has, the lower its tailpipe CO2 emissions. Vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions, such as battery electric vehicles achieve a six star rating.
While Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) achieve a 6 star rating in VESR.gov.au, it also provides meaningful comparisons of energy costs between different models. For EV buyers, the key question is not whether the vehicle has low emissions, it’s about how much it will cost to charge. VESR enables consumers the ability to compare different BEVs and their cost to energise, to support their vehicle research and support an informed purchasing decision.
VESR is an initiative of the NSW Government, developed in consultation with the Australian Government, and endorsed by all state and territory governments. It is also expanding its reach through integrations with reputable automotive research platforms.
In February 2026, VESR went live on RedBook, where ratings now appear in vehicle search results and as a filter for car buyers researching new and used vehicles. This helps place emissions and running cost information directly in front of Australians during the vehicle research process.
What the Integration Means on zecar
The zecar EV database is built to help Australians compare electric vehicles using clear, practical data.
With VESR now included on every EV model page, users can review:
- Driving range
- Charging speed
- Battery type
- Vehicle size
- Price
- VESR rating
This makes zecar one of the few Australian EV platforms combining EV ownership data with official emissions ratings in a single experience.
Explore the Updated EV Database
Australians can now explore EV models on zecar with VESR ratings included across the database.
Use the platform to compare vehicles by range, charging, price and environmental performance in one place.
Visit zecar.com to explore the EV database and compare EVs with Vehicle Emissions Star Ratings included.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
