We are encouraging questions from readers about electric vehicles, and charging, and whatever else you want to learn. So please send them through and we will get our experts to respond, and invite other people to contribute through the comments section.
Hi Bryce – I’ll be borrowing an Ioniq EV and putting together a radio show/podcast about the experience of a complete newbie driving an EV, but I have a few questions to ask as a first-time EV driver:
Natalie (3CR Beyond Zero Emissions ‘Science and Solutions’ program)
Hi Natalie – you’ve asked the first questions anyone driving an EV for the first time asks!
Having driven EVs for some years (on my third now, and about to buy my fourth), I can assure you the answers become second-nature to an EV owner (just like where the nearest petrol stations to one’s route become second-nature to ICE car drivers).
There are three ways you can charge an EV, and each charges its battery (akin to filling the fuel tank) at different rates:
Multiple answers here.
In summary: for new EVs, I recommend carrying TWO leads in addition to the 3-pin plug portable EVSE that most are supplied with. These are:
Australian Government mandated test cycle is an old one that gives approximately 30% too high a figure. There are better ones available. New Euro one (called WLTP or Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedure) is an improvement, but still about 10 – 12% too high.
The best test cycle that gives reasonably accurate ‘real-world’ driving ranges is the American EPA test cycle. The Ioniq under the American EPA test cycle gives 200km as a realistic, achievable range for it in most circumstances.
No. Some are even built to feel imperceptibly different to ICE performance (for example the Renault Zoe).
In general though, you quickly adapt to the EV differences like instant acceleration, smoother driving experience (i.e. without the explosions/noise from the motor blowing up petrol in the cylinders!), charging at home instead of finding petrol stations (you rapidly adapt to realise you REALLY don’t miss that!) and using regenerative braking to slow the car rather than the brakes.
(Which BTW are still there – despite some questions I have had re the use of the term ‘1 pedal driving’ being applied to EVs & people thinking EVs don’t have brake pedals).
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.
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