Whether you’re looking to save on fuel, go ‘green’ or simply try something new, there are plenty of reasons to get into an electric vehicle (EV). With recent advances in EV battery technology and an increasing number of lower-cost electric vehicles hitting the market every year, there’s no better time to consider making the switch from a petrol or diesel vehicle to an electric vehicle in 2022.
While the uptake of EVs in Australia hasn’t been as rapid or strong as in other countries, driving an electric vehicle in Australia is now far more achievable than ever before. By the end of 2022, it’s expected that nearly 60 different EV models will be available for Australians to purchase, from the likes of Tesla, Polestar, Audi, Volvo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Jaguar, Hyundai, Lexus, MINI, Renault, Porsche and more. We’ve unpacked five reasons why it’s time to commit to your first EV – and debunk some common EV ‘challenges’ in the process.
1. The price of fuel is rough – and you’d prefer to spend that cash elsewhere.
There’s no debate that electric vehicles cost far less to fuel than petrol or diesel vehicles. Westpac research shows that 70% of Australians plan to own a hybrid or EV in the future – with 78% of these respondents citing fuel savings as the main motivator when considering the switch.
The initial investment in an EV will generally be slightly higher than its fuel-driven counterpart of the same vehicle class - however as EVs become more popular, it is predicted that EVs will come in as the cheaper option when it comes to small cars as early as 2027. It’s also a good idea to have an electric vehicle charger installed at home. These are typically 7kW (or 22kW, depending on your home) - and come in between $1000 and $3000. For specifics on pricing and which option would best sit your needs and home, we recommend chatting to an electrician.
Based on recent fuel prices, new EV drivers can expect to save at least $25 per week on fuel, depending on the particular car they are driving and whether they opt for home charging (slower but cheaper) or public fast chargers (up to 80% charge in under an hour, slightly more expensive).
If you’re looking to own an EV, Transport NSW estimates that you should also expect to save 40% on maintenance costs when comparing your new EV to a petrol or diesel vehicle that clocks up the same number of kilometres each year.
2. You’ll be helping meet Australia’s emissions target – and creating a healthier environment for all.
If we’re to meet our commitment to net zero emission by 2050, EV vehicles are going to play a crucial role in achieving this. Switching to an EV results in an average reduction of CO2 emissions of 47 per cent, assuming that EV Is charged from the current electrical grid. If it’s charged using solar energy, you’ll reduce your emissions to zero.
Traditional petrol and diesel-powered vehicles also affect our health – emitting unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates – all of which are known carcinogens. An Australian Government Working Paper from 2005 estimated that 52% of the $3 billion health cost of ICE vehicles was attributable to exhaust emissions.
3. Charging an EV is now faster and easier than ever before – and you don’t have to have the infrastructure at home.
Whilst the cheapest and easiest way to charge your new EV is with a dedicated charging station at home, public fast-chargers are now more accessible than ever. Many major shopping hubs and business districts have integrated fast chargers that are pay-per-use – simply search ‘EV charging stations’ on Google Maps. Hotels, restaurants, car parks, sporting facilities and many other venues now boast chargers to accommodate EV drivers, so it’s worth checking where they are. And yes, it’s cheaper than filling up with fuel.
Depending on the individual vehicle and charger, some of these stations provide up to 80% charge in less than one hour – on the new Polestar 2 (one of our current EV subscription cars) this equates to a 384km charge of the 480km-range battery. Not bad for the time it takes to grab coffee with a friend, catch a movie or do your groceries.
4. The EV driving experience is simply great.
If you’ve ever been snuck up on by an EV as a pedestrian, it was likely a startling experience – the powertrain is close to silent, there’s no fuel-y odours and they seem to glide across the ground. Electric vehicles are hard to match when it comes to smoothness and comfort.
With instant torque and lots of manners, the way that an EV delivers speed to the driver is hard to beat, and many of the fastest cars in the world are now electric. The fastest electric car, the Rimac Nevera, can hit 100km/h in a cool 1.85 seconds.
Electric cars also have fewer moving parts than their fuel-driven cousins, so are generally cheaper to service - you won’t need emission checks, fuel filters, oil changes or spark plugs. Warranties generally range from 3 to 8 years, and software or firmware can be regularly updated - by you. This means your car now has the potential to become even smarter and more efficient over time. Welcome to 2022.
5. If you’re not sure which EV is right for you, it’s possible to try-before-you-buy (and we’re not talking about a test drive).
If you’re still worried about commitment, we have a solution.
Purchasing an EV definitely takes some consideration, but at carbar, we believe that the adoption of electric vehicles is instrumental to the future of Australia’s mobility.
So far, we’ve built partnerships with AGL, sonnen and Aurora to improve access to EVs for Australians across the country, offering EVs under our pay-as-you-go subscription model. We were also the first subscription car company to become a member of the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC).
Offering the ultimate in freedom and flexibility, there are no lock-in contracts on our subscription cars, and you can stop or swap with two weeks’ notice – with your weekly subscription cost covering registration, insurance, maintenance, servicing and roadside assistance.
If you love your new subscription car and want to own it, we’ve got a solution for that too.
To learn more about electric vehicles, compare your current car to an EV and further consider the switch, you’ll find everything you need at the Green Vehicle Guide.
We’re proud to be leading the charge in transforming the car buying and ownership experience in Australia by providing more ways to access cars with better selection, value, transparency and convenience.
Learn more about electric vehicle subscription today.
