There\u2019s no denying it, petrol cars as we know them are going to be taking a backseat as we transition to an electric vehicle (EV) future. As we reach this tipping point, it\u2019s time to bust some of the common myths around EV ownership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the increasing speed of tech change and innovation, sometimes it can be hard to keep up with latest facts and information. For example, when it comes to EVs, several past facts have now become falsehoods as technology has advanced. And some were never even facts to begin with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We asked out EV experts for some of the most common, and weirdest, EV myths they\u2019ve heard and got to work busting them! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As technology evolves, it typically becomes more affordable and efficient, and EVs are no exception. Initially, EVs cost up to twice as much as comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, with an increasing number of manufacturers entering the market and technology improvements, the price of EVs is decreasing and becoming more affordable. Today, there are many EVs available at a variety of price points, including several under $40,000<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When considering the total cost of ownership, EVs can be more economical<\/a> to operate than petrol or diesel cars. The Electric Vehicle Council EV cost of ownership page<\/a> can help you understand the costs associated with EVs in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As more people start adopting EVs, it’s true there will be a need for more public charging infrastructure in high-density inner-city areas (where many residents don\u2019t have access to off-street parking). However, if you\u2019re away from home and travelling long distances, the public charging network in Australia is already well built out and improving by the day. From Adelaide all the way up to North Queensland, there\u2019s good charging infrastructure and via a smartphone app or your car\u2019s digital screen, you can see which chargers are available and where they\u2019re located. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to inner-city areas, many apartment complexes are already installing, or looking to install, EV chargers for their residents. As of October 2023,<\/a> all new developments must make provisions for EV charging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes and No. It really depends on your personal situation. For efficient home charging, we recommend installing a Level 2 dedicated wall charger<\/a>, which offers faster charging speeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For those who depend on public charging, you can use resources like PlugShare<\/a>. Find out more about the basics of EV Charging<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Charging your EV comes with different price tags depending on how you go about it. Most EV owners prefer to charge at home or work \u2013 roughly 80%<\/a> choose to charge their vehicles at home overnight \u2013 allowing them to set charging schedules to take advantage of cheaper electricity. This includes solar power during the day and off-peak rates at night. This savvy charging strategy can slash your costs by up to 90%<\/a>, compared to filling up an ICE vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When on the road, public fast chargers are a great option but generally cost more than private charging. Savvy EV drivers can also use free charging services like Jolt<\/a>, that offers 7kWh of free charging each day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a Tesla owner, with\u00a0Origin EV Power Up<\/a>\u00a0you can access 8c\/kWh EV charging – that could mean less than\u00a0$5 for a full charge<\/a>*.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve purchased an EV, running costs can be up to 90% lower<\/a> than a petrol car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ongoing costs include maintenance and fuel. As an example, a tank per week in a 60-litre petrol car could cost over $350 per month, when the equivalent amount of driving in an EV will cost around $70 per month (if you\u2019re paying top dollar at external chargers). More likely, when charging at home, you\u2019ll experience cheaper charging costs.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then there are servicing charges, which are significant in a petrol car. But as there are so few moving parts in an EV, services are quicker and less expensive<\/a>. Air filters, tyre and brake wear, etc, still need to be checked, but most of the messy and expensive work \u2013 oils, spark plugs, bearings, gaskets and so much more \u2013 is no longer required.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere isn’t enough charging infrastructure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You need a special charging set up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Charging is too expensive <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The cost of maintenance is expensive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The driving range of EVs is unacceptable in Australia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n