Advanced technology is changing the world. Electric vehicles are creating a revolution in the transport landscape. Many people are not much aware of electric cars. Australia has EV owners, who share their experience with the community. It is essential to understand a little about the EVs that are coming.
FAQs about electric vehicles [EVs]
What is the cost of an EV?
In Australia, there are three EV types seen on the roads.
- Hybrid – $26,500 + on road costs
- PHEV [plug-in hybrid electric vehicle] – $42,500 + on road costs
- BEV [battery electric vehicle] – $47,500 + on road costs
Currently, the upfront cost of EVs seems high but they don’t need fuel because electricity is the power it needs to run. You need a type 2 stretch charging cable from a brand like Jucer to recharge the EV.
How much does it cost to operate?
If the purchase cost is removed, the cost of running an EV is significantly cheaper than petrol/diesel cars. The average petrol price in Australia is $1.50 per liter. An EV would cost 33 cents [via electric grid] to travel the same distance.
Use solar to charge the battery and the cost runs even low in comparison to buying grid electricity. The EV battery has few moving parts, so needs less maintenance and there is no need for regular fluid changes.
How long does an EV take to charge?
The time depends on the car and charger type. When using a normal home outlet then the charge is slow but the battery reaches full charge overnight. At a public charging station, EVs get charged up to 80% within half an hour with a fast charger.
How far does the EV travel on a full charge?
EV range was a limitation until now but today you can buy EVs that travel 500+ km on a single full charge. The majority of Australians resides in the city and need a daily commute of 35 km on average. EVs can easily offer that range without the need for a recharge.
Better batteries deliver enhanced range and there are multiple public charging stations installed, so range anxiety is not an issue anymore. You can download apps that will help you find a public charging station close by.
What are the pros and cons of going electric?
Pros
- Enhance national security as 16 million barrels of oil per annum are imported by Australia.
- CO2 emissions will be contained by 18 megatonnes, which is equal to taking 8 million petrol cars off the road.
- No need to visit the garage for service.
- Lithium is essential in EV batteries. Australia has lithium reserves in abundance. The country will become a major exporter as well as this opens job opportunities in this sector.
- EV is inherently quieter and pleasant to drive. Its performance is similar to petrol cars.
Cons
- Currently costly but a price point break is expected soon.
- Grid electricity is not free.
- Charging or filling up takes time.
- There are limited public chargers available.
In Australia, 65% of people want to buy an EV only if a sufficient amount of public charging stations are available.
