So, what exactly is an electric car?
Electric cars – also known as electric vehicles (EVs) – are powered by a battery and an electric motor, rather than petrol or diesel in an internal combustion engine (ICE). Currently there are three main types of electric cars available to choose from within Australia; the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), and Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).
The HEV, which is available in models such as the Toyota Corolla and Kia Niro, uses a combination of petrol/diesel and battery power which is activated while the engine is running at low revolutions and is charged through regenerative braking while the engine runs on fuel.
The PHEV, such as the Ford Escape or Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, is similar but differs as the driver can opt to run their car solely on the battery and charge it using an EV charger. It should be noted that these vehicles still have very limited range running on battery alone.
Finally, the BEV is the cleaner of the three options to drive. Running entirely off batteries that can be charged from regular wall sockets or home chargers, or at public charging stations. With no fuel components like the HEV or PHEV, battery powered electric cars are a great option with lower ongoing running and maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts.
While hybrid cars sound like a nice middle ground, they still require fuel and more frequent maintenance compared to electric cars, and they have only a small amount of range for the electric powered drive.
Why should you consider an electric car?
With lower carbon emissions, less maintenance requirements and cheaper running costs – there are many benefits to going electric.
Electric cars cost about 70% less to run per km when compared to petrol powered vehicles and an EV only costs 2c per km in maintenance, compared with 7c per km for an ICE, according to the Electric Vehicle Council. And if you’re one of the 3.2 million Australian households with rooftop solar, you could be running an EV powered by the sun.
In addition to saving on running costs, a number of vehicle manufacturers have committed that 100% of their new vehicles will be fully electric by 2030, leading to greater consumer choice, with a range of affordable options on the market to suit varying budgets and transport needs.
The technology powering these vehicles has also improved rapidly. The average electric car driving range for a Tesla Model 3 Long Range is 602 km, BYD ATTO 3 is 480 km or MG ZS EV is 440 km. The average Australian motorist drives 43 km per day — well under this range.
What costs are associated with electric cars?
Before purchasing any car, it’s important to do your research when it comes to cost. While Tesla may be the most recognisable electric car manufacturer, there are a range of affordable options such as the MG4 Excite and BYD Dolphin, which retail at around $39,000+ AUD.
Beyond outright purchase, there are a number of ways into the EV market such as employee subscriptions with salary packaging and EV car share programs.
Research from the CSIRO also anticipates that small EVs will reach cost parity with ICEs by 2025 with current growth rates in technology, and cost parity can be achieved even sooner with most state governments offering incentives to purchase electric cars.
Pending which state they live in, new electric car owners can also apply for incentives such as flat rate or reduced stamp duty and vehicle registration, as well as up to $3,000 in subsidies or discounts. Governments are also increasing funding efforts to charging infrastructure in response to electric being the main mode of transport by 2030.
The world of electric cars is an exciting one and thanks to technology, increased mass demand, policy and support from leading car manufacturers — Australia is quickly moving towards a more integrated electric car network.
Origin 360 EV is dedicated to helping Australians make the switch to electric vehicles. We offer a range of products and services, from home charging solutions to business leasing, subscriptions and car sharing.
