拥有你的第一辆电动汽车

Owning your first EV is an exciting time. Experiencing the power andpossibilities of your new machine is exhilarating and a beacon of hopefor the future. Some people won’t understand your decision to goelectric, here are the basics to help you navigate this important step. Understanding misinformation& bias in EV uptake When it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), it’s important to recognisethat there is a lot of misinformation and disinformation circulating.Human nature tends to lean towards a negative bias, as it can help inidentifying potential dangers and provides reasons to resist changeand stick to familiar practices. However, scientific consensus clearlyindicates the necessity to move away from burning fossil fuels.EVs offer a viable solution for road transportation, especially as ourelectricity network becomes greener. Basic Considerations for Buyingand Operating EVs ELECTRICITY BASICS You don’t need to be an electrical engineer or a physicist to drive anEV, but having a basic understanding of electrical concepts can helpyou maximise the use of your EV and the value you get out of it. If you want to know more, there are some definitions in AppendicesA and B. DRIVER EXPERIENCE Electric motors have instantaneous torqueproviding very strong acceleration. Batteriesare typically mounted in the floor of thevehicle providing a low centre of gravity,affording superior handling. CONVENIENCE Charging at home means you onlyspend a minute or so pluggingin and unplugging the vehicle.The ‘refuelling’ occurs whilst you’regoing about your life. CHARGING COSTS An EV travelling 10,000kms per year can savethe driver in the vicinity of between $1550and $1850 over an ICE vehicle, depending onwhether they have solar or not. RELIABILITY BEVs are approximately 28% more reliablethan ICE vehicles in getting you from A to B. ENVIRONMENTAL EVs have much lower lifecycleemissions than ICE vehicles, due tohigher efficiency. This is multipliedwhen the EV is charged with higherpercentages of renewable energy.Having no tail pipe emissions canreduce issues of smog and poorair quality in busy centres. Almostsilent driving reduces stress andnoise pollution that affect otherpeople and animals. MAINTENANCE BEVs have fewer moving parts (~20) thanvehicles with an internal combustion engine(ICE) (~2000), leading to lower maintenancecosts and less frequent servicing.Regenerative braking can mean that one setof brake pads and rotors can last the lifetimeof a car. Choosing an EV UNDERSTAND YOUR DRIVING HABITS: Assessing how you plan to use your vehicle is crucial. To do this, consider thefollowing; •Daily Commute:How many kilometers you drive to work/school/play tocalculate how far you drive per week. Australians drive on average 42kmsper day. •Usage Needs:Whether you need to fit in multiple passengers, pets, orcarry heavy loads or tow. •Types of EVs: •Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs):Fully electric vehicles powered bybatteries•Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs):Vehicles that combine anelectric motor with a traditional internal combustion engine. Note: There are others but this document only concerns EVs that can be plugged in. DETERMINE YOUR BUDGET Check for available rebates and tax deductions that can offset the upfront cost ofpurchasing an EV. Exploring different ownership models, such as buying, leasing, or novated leasing,can help you find a financial option that suits your budget and preferences. Eachmodel offers its own set of benefits and considerations. DRIVING EXPERIENCE Test driving various EV models is essential. EVs provide a smooth and quiet drivingexperience with instant torque and advanced features. This hands-on experiencewill help you find the vehicle that best fits your needs and preferences. You canattend a dealership in the traditional way or go to EV shows in your nearest capitalcity. Choosing an EV charger Different chargers offer various charging rates, and selecting the most cost-effective method to suit your needs is important: These are typically public chargers. You can use onboard trip planning softwareor app-based such as; Plugshare, A better route planner, etc. to plan a trip longerthan your EVs range. Download one now! Some Level 3 chargers require you todownload an app to charge, but many also accept tap-and-go. CHOOSING AN ELECTRICITY RETAIL PLAN If you will be charging your EV at home, it pays to shop around retailers and plans.EV owners can access time-of-use (TOU) electricity plans not available to otherconsumers. This is because an EV represents a potentially large load (both in power(kW) and energy (kWh)). There are benefits available to you if you can charge at atime other than the dinner period. At time of writing there are attractive plans from; AGL Night Saver EV Plan, EngieEV Nightsaver, Origin EV Power up, OVO energy EV plan and Powershop EV plan. Types of charging ultra-fast chargerlocations379 fast chargerlocations680 locations inAustralia>1059 high po