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How to choose an electric car
1 September 2022
Electric cars are more popular than ever, offering a cleaner alternative to vehicles powered by fossil fuels. While choosing an electric car can be tricky, there are a few technical and practical considerations you can bear in mind to help make your choice.
Knowing your options
Not all electric cars are created equal. If you get to know what options are out there, it’ll be easier to choose the one that’s best for you.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)
BEVs run only on electricity and don’t have a combustion engine, so they are fairly low emission. The driving range of your chosen electric vehicle will be determined by its battery capacity.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)
PHEV vehicles use both petrol and electricity. The battery can be charged through regenerative braking, as well as directly via a plug-in outlet.
PHEVs typically have longer range than BEVs as the combustion engine will take over once the battery runs out.
PHEVs do generate greater emissions than electric-only vehicles, so bear this in mind if your main reason for getting an electric car is environmental concerns.
Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV)
FCEVs are powered by compressed hydrogen and oxygen, that then react with the vehicle’s fuel cell to generate electricity. FCEVs only emit water vapour and have good driving range. Unfortunately, hydrogen can be expensive, and there are very few FCEV refuelling stations available in Australia.
Reasons to go electric
Green power
We all want to leave a legacy behind for our kids and grandkids. If you’re concerned about pollution levels and climate change, an electric car could be the right choice for you. In fact, one electric car saves 1.5 million grams of CO2 emissions every year.
Breathe easier
It’s estimated that air pollution from motor vehicles kills over 1,700 Australians every year. Widespread adoption of electric vehicles can significantly improve the air quality in our communities, as well as boost personal wellbeing.
Great savings
Electric vehicles do come with a greater upfront cost. Entry-level models typically start at around $50,000, while high-end models can set you back up to $150,000.
Thankfully, it does seem that electric vehicles can save you money in the long run. As there are fewer moving parts, you’ll see lower running and maintenance costs. Recharging your vehicle with electricity is also likely to be cheaper than refuelling with petrol.
Which electric car is right for you?
For daily use, many electric vehicles will offer enough range. If you tend to go on long drives or your daily commute is greater than 200km, you might want to consider a PHEV instead. This means you’ll always have a backup engine and won’t need to worry about your battery running out.
What to know before buying an electric car
Your charging options
Charging is definitely the trickiest part of owning an electric vehicle. Australia is slowly but surely developing more charging stations, but it’s still worth planning carefully for any long drives.
By using a portable three-pin charging cable, you can charge your electric vehicle from any of your home’s standard household power points. Some people prefer to always keep their vehicles plugged in to provide that extra peace of mind.
There may also be public charging stations in your area, which are typically free. However, you’ll often have to bring your own supply lead to use these chargers.
Think about insurance
When you invest in an electric car, you’ll also want to make sure it’s adequately covered. Comprehensive Car Insurance could be suitable if you’re looking for broad, reliable cover.
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Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
