General EV Discussion

[Quickstatus]

Perhaps there should be a federal mandate that for every X EVs a manufacturer sells into the Australian market, they must install Y public chargers.

I have always felt that there should not be Govt incentives to buy an EV, rather the funding should be directed to co-funding Fast charging infrastructure. Most of the anxiety with EV is the charging.

 

[moa999]

Should be noted that in other markets manufacturers other than Tesla have funded networks.

USA
Electrify America - funded by VW (albeit mostly from Dieselgate penalties)
Ionna - JV by BMW, Mercedes-Benz, GM, Stellantis, Hyundai, Honda, and Kia., with Toyota joining later

Europe
Ionity - BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen Group

Japan
NCS - joint venture of Toyota,, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi

China
BYD, Xpeng have charging networks, and Nio battery swap. Though the largest networks (TELD and Star Charge) are owned by charger manufacturers

BYD is reportedly going to roll out it's own high speed network in Australia.

 

[AuSammy]

Most of the anxiety with EV is the charging.

I don’t own one - yet. Watch this space

I understand that peeps would definitely have range anxiety back when an EV was limited to max of 200km and chargers were very few and far between.

But (maybe mistakenly) given most EVs in the target area for me have >400km and the large and growing number of chargers, range is not a concern for me.

My concerns are more around the rapidly moving changes in technology (unlike ICE which is relatively stable) and what depreciation/resale value the car will have in 3yrs time.

Having a quick squizz at the app plugshare mentioned above. It suggests I could drive from Brisbane to Cairns without much issue and only make around 3-4 x 1/2hr stops which I would be doing anyway for a coffee, meal, stretch legs toilet break or overnighting half way to break the journey anyway.

Of course intended usage and lifestyle is specific to individual buyers, but our habits are along the lines of - if destination is more than 6hrs away by road, why wouldn’t we fly?

Others will have different usage profiles. One of my daughters would think nothing of driving out in the middle of nowhere for 1000km and wander around for a week where the nearest significant town is 500km away. Obviously ICE or hybrid are the only safe options for her.

 

[Quickstatus]

range is not a concern for me

It still is for many. Thats one of the reasons why plug in hybrid PHEV owners often tout that their range is 1000km even though their bladder range is about a 1/3 of that.
And one reason reason why EV drivers keep their batteries at a high state of charge.
Range anxiety is cured when the driver is happy to routinely discharge their battery to 5% on arrival to the next charging facility

depreciation/resale value the car will have in 3yrs time.

All cars depreciate the fastest when new then sold in 3 years.

plugshare

ABRP is an app that can accurately estimate a charging plan for a trip and its calculation include several user definable variables -= even headwind, max speed, vehicle weight.
Tesla have a built in navigation charging plan that includes all tesla superchargers and some third party chargers.

 

[markis10]

But (maybe mistakenly) given most EVs in the target area for me have >400km and the large and growing number of chargers, range is not a concern for me.

I did 15000k in an ev over two months last year. It had a range of 480odd km but that’s in theory. A typical Sunshine Coast to Melbourne trip required stops at Ballina, Coffs, Port Macquarie, Karuah, West Parra, Yass, Holbrook, Wodonga, Euroa and Glen Waverley. During weekends some of the charging stations had a queue, particularly from Canberra to Sydney. If I didn’t go to 100% at Port I almost didn’t make Karuah.

 

[markis10]

I still drive a petrol car in Port so I don't have any experience but most times I go past the chargers at Lord St behind the council chambers there seems to be space available

The key ones are behind the bp on the highway, only 4 with two fast charge.

 

[AuSammy]

I did 15000k in an ev over two months last year. It had a range of 480odd km but that’s in theory. A typical Sunshine Coast to Melbourne trip required stops at Ballina, Coffs, Port Macquarie, Karuah, West Parra, Yass, Holbrook, Wodonga, Euroa and Glen Waverley. During weekends some of the charging stations had a queue, particularly from Canberra to Sydney. If I didn’t go to 100% at Port I almost didn’t make Karuah.

Informative. You certainly gave the car a significant workout. Lots of experience gained there.

Yes totally different usage between owners.

I have only run up 89,000 in 8 years on current vehicle (we only have one car between us). We spend more time at home or in planes and rental cars

 

[Quickstatus]

I have only run up 89,000 in 8 years

Why fly when you can drive?

But seriously the thing about EVs is not to be afraid to put km on the car.

The maintenance is very low
The brake pads should last around 250,000km in a Tesla. I suspect same for other EVs depending on setting regarding one pedal driving.
The tyres about 50,000km
Brake fluid change every 4 years or so
Cabin HVAC filters and wiper rubbers every 2 years or so
Periodic wheel alignment

However non teslas impose a maintenance schedule that you have to pay for.

I still go to the local servo to use their windscreen squeegee and the tyre air - hey its free, and I still need a periodic fix of petrol fumes

 

[AuSammy]

However non teslas impose a maintenance schedule that you have to pay for.

Yes a bid if a downer but not overwhelming and much cheaper than our current ICE

BYD have specified every 20k or 12mth whichever comes first.

Every odd numbered service $165 (safety check)
Even numbered services around $515 (“major” check - includes filters wipers rotation etc).

 

[Quickstatus]

Every odd numbered service $165 (safety check)
Even numbered services around $515 (“major” check - includes filters wipers rotation etc).

Most of it is a scam IMO

 

[tgh]

@ 10kpa, AuSammy is in my usage league , and I wonder …...why bother with all EV issues..
The cost of petrol /electricity as a part of the annual ownership spend is minimal.
The retained value of any vehicle is now moot , ICE may suffer a decline in historic retained values and EV has always had extremely poor resale.

My spin remains to buy something that amuses me as there is no reward in penny pinching
A 6.7litre V8. ? …. .why not ?.. the cost of the petrol will still be peanuts in terms of the overall spend.

 

[Quickstatus]

the cost of the petrol will still be peanuts in terms of the overall spend.

There must have been a lot of people who traded in from an ICE to EV in the last few months - ostensibly due to higher fuel prices. The problem is that they only look at the difference in petrol vs electricity and use that to justify the transaction

They never take into account that trading in a vehicle for a new one almost always result in a financial loss including higher depreciation of new car compared to old car.

Of course, if the motivation is not financial, then spend the $$$. But using the cheaper running cost as a reason never works out in reality because it is the total cost of ownership that matters.

 

[kookaburra75]

Of course, if the motivation is not financial, then spend the $$$. But using the cheaper running cost as a reason never works out in reality because it is the total cost of ownership that matters.

The total cost is why I am looking at picking up a second hand BYD Atto3 later this year/early next year. Currently 2023 models are selling for 55% of their original value, and still have some warranty period left on them, which I am very happy about. For our intended use that works for us . We still have MrsK Honda Jazz to use for road trips where we need an ICE.

 

[markis10]

total cost is why I am looking at picking up a second hand BYD Atto3

Queensland Govt Cars (QFleet) often see their fleet going at Auction for 20-25K for Hyundai Ionic/Kona Electrics