The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or PHEV, offers an electric vehicle at affordable purchase price with the back-up petrol motor.

The vehicle was recently purchased by council and environmental officer Joel Little said it would be used by the council staff going about their jobs in Bathurst. 

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"We just acquired the car and what we're going to do is test it in all of our council roles," Mr Little said.

"It'll be based at the council works depot where it can be charged from solar panels so it can be charged during the day.

"It'll be a run-around car - it'll be perfect for someone who drives around town all day long for their job."

Mr Little said council needed to understand the benefits of electric cars. 

"There's potential benefits for council such as the cost, but we'll need to know how to service because you're not changing oil and stuff like that," he said. 

"We've made the car nice and bright so people can see it and it also has infographics on it so people can understand how the car works."

It takes four hours to charge the vehicle and, when fully charged, the it can run for a range of 50 kilometres. 

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Bathurst councillor Jess Jennings welcomed the purchase. He has had a personal hybrid car for 10 years, deciding to buy his vehicle because he wanted a quieter car and to be more fuel efficient.

"We get about 800 to 1000 kilometres per tank and it's a small tank," he said.

"They're more responsive because of the electric pick-up, because there's no transmission.

"There's a lot of advantages to them and that's 10-year-old technology."

Cr Jennings believes electric cars will become more affordable over the next 18 months.

"I think by the end of next year, I think there'll be something out there more family affordable," he said.

"I asked council about transferring its fleet to go electric and I'm really glad to see it happening."