Dave Nelson’s electric vehicle. Photo: Supplied.
BY DAVE NELSON
About two years ago, I decided I needed to buy a new car, and I wanted it to be electric because I am always trying to be a bit greener. But I was in for a few surprises, and some of the concerns I had heard about electric vehicles (EVs) were just not true.
Two years ago, the number of EV models was expanding, but was still a bit limited. Now, almost any vehicle available with an ICE (internal combustion engine) is available as an EV. There are even EV ‘utes’ now, and even more models available only as EVs.
The model I chose (a mid-sized SUV) was available for $30,000 as an ICE version, or $44,000 as an EV. So, about a $14,000 premium to upgrade to an EV.
Range anxiety is often quoted as a reason not to choose an EV. But I don’t drive long distances, just the occasional trip to the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast, so I was happy with the 330Km range my car came with (although there is a long-range model of the same car; it has a 480km range for an extra $4000).
One of the first surprises I had when I started driving my EV was the performance. The acceleration is phenomenal. I’ve driven sports cars that don’t have nearly the acceleration of my family EV.
The other big surprise was the cost of fuel. I used to spend $250-$350 on petrol per month for my old ICE SUV. The charger for my EV is on a separate meter, so I know exactly how much I am spending on power, and it is only $20-$30 per month. And no more searching for deals at the local fuel stations.
Another surprise was the cost of maintenance. With my ICE SUV, I would take it in for maintenance every six or so months, and each visit would cost $300-$600. At two years old, my EV is just coming up for its first maintenance. The quoted cost will be $400.
The original tyres my EV came with were a bit of a disappointment. They needed to be replaced after only 20,000 km. I’m not sure if that is only because the manufacturer of my EV chose lower-quality tyres. Apparently, because EVs are a bit heavier than ICE vehicles, they wear their tyres faster. I replaced them with tyres that have a 50,000km warranty.
I have heard some people claim that EV batteries run down, wear out, and need to be replaced. But my EV came with a 10-year battery warranty, which is pretty standard for EVs now. After two years, I haven’t seen any reduction in range and no degradation in battery performance.
In short, although the upfront cost of an EV may be a bit higher than that of an ICE vehicle, with savings on fuel and maintenance, I have found that my EV is actually cheaper. And certainly, in terms of performance, an EV is a lot of fun to drive, and, of course, it is greener.
