Interest in electric vehicles is on the rise, however the decision of which EV is complex and will depend on the specific requirements of each owner. Common issues to take into account (aoart from price) are range, charging rates, servie schedule and vehicle warranty. At the EnviroShop Newstead we keep an up to date list of all the models in the market plus we are regularly discussing real world EV experiences with dozens of customers each week. Along the way we have aqccummulated a wealth of EV knowledge that we are ahppy to share with you when you are ready to comence your EV journey.
Here is a good summary to being with.
Hybir vs full EV? Our recommedation is to not buy a hybrid. These are commonly not as efficient as claimed as they have to carry the weight of a petrol or diesel engine when using battery power, and the weigh tof a battery when using the petrol or diesel engine. Hybrid batteries are typically much smaller than a full EV battery thus making their battery only range quite low eg. 80km or less. This could be effctive in an urban setting, but will not serve you as well with country driving. Many of the current full EVs now offer sufficient range to drive from bendigo to Melbourne and return.
When looking at the stated range of an EV multiply that number by 0.8 to get a real world country driving figure. Real world range has a lot to do with the driving speed, the terrain, the weather, the level of regenerative braking etc.
Aim to purchase an EV from a dealer that has a service department in house and in a convenient regional area.
Check if your EV will allow charging of the battery beyond 80%, which can be useful in advance of long trips. And be clear about the charging speed that your EV will allow on fast chargers out on the highway – the vehicle specs will largely determine how quickly you can recharge the battery.
When the dealership offers you a “fast charger” as part of the purchase, be wary. Many of these branded chargers are “dumb” units and can be difficult to integrate with a home solar and/or battery system. It is generally recommended to acquire a smart charger that matches your solar/battery inverter.
It is ok to ask for a trickle charger (10A) with your vehicle. These chargers are good for situations where you only have access to a standard wall outlet to plug the car in.
Chinese EVs are generally cheaper, with higher build quality and longer warranties than European, South Korean and Japanese brands. This is a result of the Chinese deciding to invest in EV technology in the 1990s and consistently building their capacity since then.
There are a number of EV dealers in both Bendigo and Ballarat and we recommend clients invest a day or two in talking to the various dealers and doing a number of test drives before deciding on the right model. Plus you can attend one of our monthly EV Insights sessions at the shop to look at new EV models and talk to owners.
As always we are happy to assist with any questions or suggestions.