A wave of electric vehicles is currently wooing a new generation of automotive fans with their futuristic design and functionality, but these same factors may also cause some car buyers to hesitate.
Making the switch from petrol to either a 100% Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or a Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) that uses both a battery and internal combustion engine can take some getting used to. Australia may have achieved 100,000 electric vehicles this year, but with over 20 million registered motor vehicles on our roads, the target of 50% of them being EVs by 2030 seems a long way off. Let’s consider some of the pros and cons.
Is range anxiety real?
One of the perceived downsides of EVs is that charging takes too long. Spending an hour in a car plugged into a fast charger seems like an inordinate waste of time. In reality, most EVs have impressive ranges of over 400 kilometres on a single charge. Everyone’s driving habits are different but if you typically drive under 100 kilometres a day, then overnight charging at home is sufficient. (The best-case scenario is EV owners with rooftop solar panels who can charge their vehicle during the day — a win for both the hip pocket and for sustainability).
So is range anxiety real? It’s definitely a valid consideration, although fears of getting stranded are becoming less likely and can be easily offset with planning.
Breaking the petrol habit with planning
For those new to 100% electric vehicles, the biggest change is adopting a mindset of readiness. Forget about making a last-minute dash to the servo when the petrol gauge on the dashboard edges toward E.
Fortunately, charge readiness is easier to achieve than you would imagine. Years of charging our smartphones overnight (or forgetting to do so and suffering the consequences) have trained us to plug in our devices at bedtime, in preparation for the day ahead. If you think of your electric car similarly, it’s an easy habit to adopt. Indeed, that’s exactly what 80% of EV owners do. They charge their vehicles at home and use fast chargers once a week, at most.
The good news is that public charging stations are becoming increasingly common. In Australia, over 1,000 fast-charging sites exist, albeit mostly in city or suburban locations. By using apps and websites to locate charging stations, EV drivers can access real-time information on their availability.
What about battery life?
Battery lifespan and replacement are also key considerations. EV batteries are designed to last for many years, but they will degrade over time. Recently, experts at Stanford University have discovered that, given the stop-start way we drive in real life, electric vehicle batteries may last almost 40% longer than lab tests have shown. This means EV owners could get longer use out of the expensive battery packs than previously believed.
Have you been dreaming of an electric vehicle? A smooth and enjoyable transition is actually possible. So, why not check out the range of electric vehicles at easyauto123, either online or in-store, and book a test drive today?