If you’re looking to make the transition from a traditionally powered automobile to a full electric car or hybrid, you’ll find it’s a whole new world. Driving a battery-powered vehicle has many advantages, in particular, lower operating and maintenance costs – though the ownership experience is different than with a ‘normal’ fuel model. Whether you’re looking to buy a new or a used electric car, you’ll want to consider the following before making the switch to battery power.
Is it the right fit for me?
If you often drive over 200 km each day, then an electric car is probably not a good option for you. The statistics show that most Australians drive less than 40 km each day, and most households have a second car. You can consider replacing the ‘runabout’ with an electric vehicle. As an alternative, you can also hire a standard petrol car when travelling long distances.
Consider the range
As discovered by every new electric car driver, the normal electric vehicle offers 80-100 miles of driving range. During normal usage, the useful capacity and power of batteries decrease over time. Driving less than 40 km a day shouldn’t be an issue, however if you plan to do a 100 km stretch more frequently, you might need to think twice about buying an electric vehicle!
Charging requirements
Though the number of public charging stations is growing, it’s far more convenient – not to mention cheaper – to charge up an electric vehicle at home. You can simply plug the vehicle into a standard 110-volt wall outlet for what’s called Level 1 charging, but it can take anywhere from eight to 24 hours. A better choice would be to have an electrician install 240-volt service in your garage to accommodate Level 2 charging that can replenish a drained battery in as little as four hours.
Are there public charging stations near where I live, work or shop?
Even if you’re buying one of the longer-range models on the market, there will be times when you’ll want to give your electric vehicle an extra jolt of volts away from home. Public chargers are typically installed in public parking areas, retail parking lots, at new-car dealerships, and even on some urban streets. Chargers are most typically limited to urban and suburban areas having higher electric vehicle penetration, however.
What does it cost to insure an electric car?
Insurance costs for electric vehicles tend to be costlier than the norm. That doesn’t mean they’re less safe or more accident-prone than other vehicle types. Rather, it’s because these cars are priced higher than conventional alternatives and generally cost more to repair after getting into a collision, especially because of their pricey battery packs.
If you do decide to invest in an electric vehicle, congratulations! When it comes time to install an electric vehicle charging port, Quantum Solar in Tweed Heads should be your top choice. Get in touch with our friendly team on 1300 4 SOLAR today or visit our website for a full range of our installation options and services.
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