Is It Time to Buy an Electric Vehicle?

Was chatting to a customer about his (fropanity) heap car on the weekend and how much it was going to cost him to keep it running and its ongoing running costs. He was holding off updating his car becuse he is waiting for the price of Electric Vehicles to drop down into the regular car price bracket. I told him to not hold his breath waiting.

The conversation expanded with another employee joining in and mentioning that if they were giving EV cars away, they still wouldn’t drive one. When asked why not? it was about range, but more so the re-energising time to charge the batteries.

So, I was curious about OzB’s thoughts on electric cars. Would you consider buying one? What’s currently stopping you? Price, range, charge time, charging stations? Something else? Would you never consider buying one?

As there is a bigger and bigger push towards more eco friendly vehicles with more manufacturers taking the bigger leap into EVs, what would you like to see more development into? Maybe invested into hybrid technology rather than straight electric?

And this goes for both cars and motorcycles. Maybe cars don’t tickle your fancy, but an electric motorcycle might scratch your EV itch?

I have to say that I am interested in the technology and think that it has come so far in the last few years that I am excited for the future. Range doesn’t bother me so much, but the price, that’s a different league on its own. While they are cheaper to charge up and maintain, there is still a gaping chasm in price, especially in the motorcycle sector that I would like to dip my toe into…

Also keen to hear from current owners. You happy with your EV? Would you buy another one? What would you like to change about your current vehicle?

Edit: Pease read the poll options as "want, but…" Because the "yes" seemed to have confused at least 4 people…

Poll Options

  • 80
    Next car will be an EV
  • 482
    Yes, but price
  • 13
    Yes, but range/km
  • 5
    Yes, but charge time
  • 14
    Yes, but other
  • 33
    Would never own one
  • 15
    Already own one

Comments

  • price.

    what's the cheapest EV for proper size family saloon ?

    • Tesla Model 3 is out in the USA and will probably land here in 2020. (I know Tesla say 2019, but I doubt it). It will probably start below $60k for the base model and push towards $100k for a loaded rear wheel drive long range.

      • +2

        If anything, this is motivation for Hyundai, Toyota, BMW, and Honda to get their asses quickly before the Model 3 creeps into their sales territory. I think $60k is good enough for now, and other car manufacturers will come sooner or later with sub $45k EVs.

        • In the US the Model 3 will start at $35k usd before their incentives ($7500 Federal tax rebate+ whatever your state offers). At the moment only more expensive variants are in production though.

        • @Burnertoasty: Yeah, but I think $35k USD is good enough for this year, if Tesla can produce enough of them, because that is the median price of new car purchase in the US. I think GM will come out with a cheaper Chevy Volt in early 2019.

        • +3

          @Nobita: Chevy has a cheaper Bolt and has had it on the market for 2 years. The Model 3 outsells it already. The Volts is not an EV, it’s a hybrid like a Prius and it doesn’t sell. Part of Tesla’s success is that they are selling cool cars, people don’t want econoboxes with batteries strapped underneath. They want fast, luxurious cars that handle well.

        • +1

          @Burnertoasty: sure I meant Volt… Chevy made a big mistake naming these two Bolt and Volt.

      • I read somewhere that the pricing is global so it will sell for the equivalent of 35K USD plus local taxes and road costs.

        • That’s true. That’s exactly what Tesla do to all their cars. No Australia tax unlike all the Germans.

    • +1

      Price for me too - I just upgraded my car last year and thought about just this topic. My next car in 10 years will likely be an EV (cars may even be autonomous at that stage so I may not even need to own one).

      I really do think EV is the future, and that the cost will significantly come down over the next decade to a point where they are affordable for all vehicle owners. Hell, emissions standards (particularly in Europe) are forcing this. However, we just aren't at that stage just yet.

      In the meantime, we will probably see a wider range of hybrid vehicles being mass produced and growing in popularity.

      • in 10 years petrol will probably be $5 per litre, and there will be coal powered cars made by the government to use up all their coal ;)

        They will probably also tax electric and solar type of cars to make them unaffordable, or say they arent safe to drive, like the old solar panels are dangerous scare tactics they put out a few years ago, after the foil batts deaths.

  • +3

    If you have a charging point at home (block of flats maybe) and at work, then by all means. Otherwise if you have to charge up at home off the mains then (foul language) that, too expensive.

    Toyota will be pushing huge for hybrid this year, but they are working on stuff down the track. Saw their prototype hydrogen fuel cell car recently, that was kinda cool.

    But yeah, go hybrid :) cheaper to run, cheaper to insure, same cost of servicing as petrol variant, 8yr warranty on the battery.

    • +14

      It's not expensive to charge an EV from home. You can charge it once a week, off peak (and you wont need to charge a full battery). Electricity costs on a Model S for a 40km round trip daily commute in traffic is something like $10 a week. You can also charge for free at superchargers if you can be bothered, but plugging the thing in overnight in your own garage, is the ultimate convenience.

      Hydrogen fuel cells are a false start. They will never work. They have less performance than a battery, no charging infrastructure, and much higher costs.

      Hybrid is bullshit half assed tech. (With the exception of the 918. That thing is awesome).

      • +4

        Hybrid is bullshit half assed tech.

        It's a step in the right direction.

        • +5

          No, it's a miss step. The only direction is a shift to full EV. Look at the abortion that is a BMW i8 for example. It has a motorbike engine and a small battery. It costs $300k. It is slower than a base model $150k Tesla S in a straight line. It's a joke of a car.

        • +4

          @Burnertoasty:

          Tesla started out making full ev, putting every bit of R&D into it. Every other manufacturer has to juggle their normal production (which pays the bills) as well as future planning.

          Fanbois are always funny, they can't see the forest for the trees. Until Australia has better supercharge spots with less distance between, and electric cars can make the distance with ease, they'll only ever slowly increase in sales in this country.

          But hey, just coz mummy n daddy bought a Tesla, apparently you're also affiliated with the brand too 😂

        • +2

          @Spackbace: Superchargers is a proprietary Tesla charging infrastructure. They are located from Adelaide all the way through to Brisbane, with chargers coming online all the time. They are located within 200kms of each other, which means you have more than enough range to skip a supercharger on a road trip and make the next one. But the best way to drive is a quick 20 minute top up at each charger on your way. All Teslas can make the distances between each super charger with ease. No other cars can use them (or have the capacity to actually supercharge).

        • @Burnertoasty:

          All lithium ion battery chargers (including superchargers) slow the rate of charging as they batteries get fuller.

          A 50% charge on a supercharger might take 20 minutes and a full charge 75 minutes.

          So, while you could skip the first supercharger, you probably wouldn't skip subsequent superchargers unless you like really long waits.

        • @Burnertoasty:

          The BMW i3 also has the motorbike engine and costs only $80k. Still too much for me, but it illustrates a design that might become more popular in the future.

          In 5 years time, if a PHEV with 100km range is more affordable than an equivalent full electric vehicle with a 400km range, I might choose the PHEV. Most days I do less than 100km so the PHEV would probably reduce my petrol usage by 90%

        • @Burnertoasty:
          That's a big backwards step. How long would that add to a trip Brisbane to Adelaide? A 20 minute break every 2 hours? That's not practical.

          What provisions do these superchargers have? You wouldn't want to have to queue to charge.

        • @SlickMick: You don’t queue. You can skip them and the car tells you how many stalls are free before you arrive. 20 minutes every 2 hrs or 30 every 4 hrs would do it fine. Nice to stretch your legs, grab a coffee and a bite to eat. In reality it’s really not a hassle. The Model 3 can take a much higher charging rate too (yet to be enabled to stop eating into Model S sales) but when it is you’re looking at 10 minutes every 2 hrs or 20 every 4.

        • @trongy: When the battery is warm after a long trip with range mode on, you can get up to 80% in 20mins.

        • +1

          @trongy: PHEVs are a joke. They make zero sense over a full EV. They add complex mechanics instead of adding simplicity. They are just a poor design concept. They won’t exist inside 10 years in all but the most expensive brands like Ferrari, who will continue to create hot hybrids, because to them a petrol engine is the soul. There is no feasible reason to build them.

        • +1

          @trongy: the i3 also comes without the generator for purists.

        • @Ihhdle: And it’s rubbish. The battery is still too small.

        • @Burnertoasty:

          Not to mention depreciation! Guy down the street has one, looks futuristic but definitely wouldn't buy one - I would say an experiment that some early adopters with the coin may try out.

        • @Spackbace: I'm pretty sure you'd recommend full EV if your company/place of work had one in their line-up.

        • @ChrisLee14u:

          I've made recommendations previously for other makes/models. I've also said what to avoid in the brands I work/ed for.

          You'd know that if you paid attention and didn't just make wild assumptions based on your own opinion and not facts :)

        • @Spackbace: so it's just a coincidence then that you fully endorse and recommend hybrid when the company you work for only sells hybrids?

        • @Craysee: Depreciation is the same as other cars in its class.

        • +1

          @ChrisLee14u:

          the company you work for only sells hybrids

          Umm, you what? Srsly?

        • @Burnertoasty:
          Actually you're right. Percentage wise it is the same but I for one definitely aren't interested in losing 150k in 3 years.

          I guess he must be quite weathly but who knows any more with everyone able to access cheap loans these days.

        • Any idea they got something similar to quick charge 3 from Qualcomm used on mobiles? Lol

        • @Spackbace: cool story, bro

        • +1

          @ChrisLee14u:

          Whatever you're on, can I get an ounce? 😂

        • @Burnertoasty:
          I agree a pure electric vehicle is a better design concept than a PHEV. Motoring enthusiasts and engineers care about this. Most car buyers care more about affordability and practicality than purity of the design concept. The current popularity of internal combustion powered cars is a testament to this.

          First time electric car buyers are going to ask - "what will happen when the battery runs out?" That a petrol motor will turn on and keep them moving is an answer that will give them comfort.

          If BMW can add a range extender to it's car for $6000 then Toyota and Ford could do it for less. If manufactures offer both options then I expect theme to exist side by side for as long as they meet people's needs and wants. Manual and automatic transmissions have existed side by side in the automotive market for decades.

        • @Spackbace: I believe they meant hybrids vs full EVs

        • @Burnertoasty:
          I got rid of a Nissan Patrol because it only had a 4 hour range. I'll stop when it's convenient for me, not the vehicle.

        • +1

          @SlickMick: I don’t think Patrol drivers are really the market.

        • @Burnertoasty:
          Dunno what that means, but I'm just saying 2 cars are off my list, Patrols and Teslas

        • @SlickMick: I assume Bugatti’s and Ferrari are also off the list?

        • +1

          @Burnertoasty:

          No, it's a miss step. The only direction is a shift to full EV. Look at the abortion that is a BMW i8 for example. It has a motorbike engine and a small battery. It costs $300k. It is slower than a base model $150k Tesla S in a straight line. It's a joke of a car.

          Way to go. Cherry-pick one of the most exclusive, advanced hybrids ever made. Forget it's all carbon. Forget the seamless execution and marriage of powertrain components. Pick an i8 over the many Honda Insights, cornucopia of Prius variants among others.

          For most people, these are relevant hybrids, not a top-tier BMW. Which uses the 1.5l 3 cylinder Mini engine, not a "motorbike engine" (ignoramus) as do several other cars.

        • @trongy: the i3 is not a hybrid, it has what is called a range extender it basically runs like a generator and is not a hybrid style which can drive the car directly, hence why the scooter engine. Not sure if you knew thus but worth mentioning

          Also some of the benefits of a fully electric vehicle include no petrol engime to service and lower fuel costs and lower weight so more efficient than a PHEV, all excellent reasons not to go PHEV. With most aussie families having two cars a much more sensible option is to have one fully electric and one petrol

        • @Burnertoasty: By looking at huge list of limitations of full EV at this stage; I personally don't think hybrid is a miss step. I don't want EV if this is bloody expensive, has a limited range of 400 km per charge and no charging stations readily available. It doesn't matter how cool the car is, if above are still there. Hybrid resolve those three albeit sacrificing 'cool and sporty drive' so what? You either wait 10 years or just use available tech until you get there. If cure for cancer is 10 years away, I won't complain about available treatments until then. LOL

      • -1

        Hydrogen can be refueled like a normal car and you don't have to wait hours for it to charge, and has further range. I agree that infrastructure is lacking, but so is EV. EV is also costly, look at the poll! Hydrogen also has the biggest car manufacturers throwing their weight behind it too (BMW, MB, Honda, Toyota, etc) Just like how we have LPG, Diesels, I think there's plenty of room for more than one type of car in the future.

        • That’s not true. Toyota built a few hydrogen prototypes a couple of years ago, but they like every other manufacturer, are now going to pure EV. Hydrogen is dead because it’s inferior to batteries. BMW, Merc are all focusing purely on batteries.

        • @Burnertoasty: which part isn't true? Toyota are spear heading hydrogen because they believe that's what will be the future. They've already released the mirai which is coming to Australia. BMW have prototypes which they're aimimg for 2022 production. Mercedes have the GLC (albeit you can't buy it here). EV isn't the be all and end all.

        • @nomoneynoproblems: The Mirai is essentially a prototype, they built a few thousand of them. Only Toyota is pursuing this course. Here’s some literature for you:

          https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-27/electric-…

        • +1

          @Burnertoasty: lol are you kidding me? A car in production is now a prototype. You're obviously bias for whatever reason. I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt but you clearly have an agenda to push.

        • -1

          @nomoneynoproblems: 5000 vs 400,000 Nissan Leafs. Yeah it’s a prototype, built at a loss, or a beta.

          I’m not bias, but I am biased, not because of any agenda, but because you’re wrong. The whole world is betting on batteries. There is one manufacturer doing a half assed attempt at hydrogen, (while also looking at EVs).

        • @Burnertoasty: ok so hang on, a car that has a limited production run that was just sold in the last 2 years is a prototype? I won't humour you on the definition because I'm sure you know but hyperbole for argument sake. You're wrong if you believe the future is ev. It will be a mix like we have now.

    • +3

      The problem with hybrids is that you miss on a big chunk of what makes EVs so enticing: no maintenance.

      • +2

        https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/support/maintenance-plans

        Seen those service charges…?

        $3050-$3675 over 4 years.

        Yeah, so much better than a hybrid /s

        • Optional service. If you don’t get them it doesn’t affect the warranty. But I doubt anyone would skimp $1000k a year on a $200k car.

        • Leaf service is 89 bucks or 329 bucks from memory

    • -2

      Water is more expensive then petrol

      • +1

        Wrong.

        • When they starting selling water for vehicles it wil be similar price to bottled water per litre

          It won't just be water out of your garden hose. Has to be filtered and redefined

        • @asa79: Oh yeah, because it’s a great idea to try and split water into hydrogen and oxygen for fuel 🙄. That’s why they fuel rockets up with tanks of water rather than liquid hydrogen and oxygen. Lucky you’re physics degree can explain this to everyone.

        • @Burnertoasty: either way it won't be just normal water at price you pay from hose

        • @asa79: That was extreme sarcasm guy.

        • @asa79:

          They dont filter water for cars, they boil and condense it.

        • @ninetyNineCents: Boiling is still a way of filtering

    • Definitely this. People talk about waiting 10 years to buy EV. I would do the same; but will drive a hybrid in the meantime for all the good reasons.

  • +2

    Price - range is non issue for city dwellers where most people travel less than 70km a day.

  • +3

    i need a big V8 please.

    • +2

      Slower than an EV.

      • Quicker over a 500km run ;)

        • An S 100D would like to disagree.

        • @Burnertoasty:

          539km range… Not on ludicrous mode tho.

        • @Spackbace: There is no ludicrous mode in an S100D. And in a P100D, ludicrous mode doesn't actually reduce range, you can leave it on and drive normally and you'll pretty much have the same range.

        • @Burnertoasty:
          What about that engine noise?

        • +9

          @tuzii:

          Just put a playing card in the spokes. Sounds like the real thing.

        • +2

          @tuzii: You won’t care the second you floor it. A C63 sounds amazing, but when it’s disappearing in your rear view rapidly, you’ll understand.

      • -1

        Fast car here is useless with the speed limit

    • I'd just rather a manual car with 3 pedals.

  • +4

    The electric vehicles I seen on the road are the Tesla model S and X and BMW i3 (but apparently most i3's sold in Australia are purchased with the range extender, making them a hybrid) . These are too expensive for most people.

    The other big sellers overseas seem to be: Renault Zoe, Chevvy Bolt and Nissan Leaf. We can't buy them in Australia. In many countries, EVs are come with generous Government subsidies and the manufacturers seem to be holding out for the same here before they commit to the Australian market.

    I can't see EV sales taking off for at least another 5 years.

    • +1

      The Renault Zoe is available at Renault Berwick, the only Victorian Dealer at present. I understand a Sydney dealership is also selling the Renault ZOE. See link http://www.barrybourkerenault.com.au/# for Victoria. The ZOE is now available to be purchased by non ABN holders. No, I am not a representative of any dealership. This information was revealed a recent ATA'S 2018 Eelctric Vehicle Expo in Melbourne.

      • Wow… Around $50k on road. It seems to be based on or very similar to the Clio. The Clio is half that price.

        There is a lot of fuel to be had for $25,000. While I don't mind the Zoe, one certainly wouldn’t buy it for fuel savings alone. But at $50,000, it is a good indicator that these EVs are certainly coming down in price. So, I guess that's a good thing.

  • I won't buy another Internal combustion engine car. My commodore has a few years left in in and there are plenty of EVs that will suit me coming in the next 3 years or so. I don't think my situation will suit a hybrid better than an EV. Having said that, I am sure that internal combustion engines will be around for at least another decade or so.

    • my holdens last me longer than most people. I bought 1973 torana in 92. 83 VH in 96. 96 VS in 04. just bought a 2012 VE six months ago.

      pretty sure, extrapolating those numbers, that will make me due for a 2031 tesla in 2033

  • +3

    I just don't understand why majority of the Australian government (apart from ACT) isn't offering electric cars incentives. Most other countries that heavily relied on cars have it, why not us?

    • +9

      It's often seen as poor people who can't afford a $60k car subsidizing the purchase of brand new $60k cars by people who can afford them. I know there are been $45k or so EVs available (1st gen Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe as long as you're a fleet buyer), but those cars suffer from short range and the status of being a stripped down econobox. Something desirable (Tesla 3) is going to be $60k+ in Australia.

      Somewhere a taxpayer is subsidizing that new EV, whether it's by foregoing tax revenue that an ICE car would attract, or by giving cash grants to the new owner. Even if the federal government kicked in a $5k incentive for people to buy EVs, people who can only afford a $20k car are not going to take advantage of it.

      The federal government has already flagged a large change to the fuel excise structure in Australia, as EV owners currently pay absolutely nothing for the construction and maintenance of roads. It would be highly unfair to give wealthier Australians the ability to drive on roads paid for by poor and middle income people.

      In 2009 I pocketed $2000 cash from Ausindustry to install LPG on my car. I got to save money on fuel, and taxpayers kicked in $2k to help me do it. Plus, I didn't pay any fuel excise at all until 2011. Fair?

      • +1

        EV owners currently pay absolutely nothing for the construction and maintenance of roads

        I think you'll find that fuel excise alone does not cover the full cost of roads.

    • +7

      why not revive the australian auto industry by building EVs.

      i.e. move forward, create an industry.

      • +9

        Why build here? Unions have made labour costs too high. Just as good, if not better build quality from Japan

        • +3

          rebuild secondary industry.
          encourage design .
          create markets for parts production.

          Australia had some good car manufacturing and it went to the shitter because (A) unions, and (B) a predilection for building large cars, (C) mismanagement.

          EVs and a small combustion.

        • @altomic:

          Australia had

          There ya go. It's gone now, except for modification (hsv, Toyota does some local modifying/building etc). Building from the ground-up is gone and isn't coming back.

        • -1

          @Spackbace: hence "rebuild secondary industry." as the first line

        • Japan doesn't even cut it, it has to be Thailand for some Toyota cars due to FTA.

    • +1

      Because no electric car company has made big political party donations as yet.

Login or Join to leave a comment