EV procrastination: Trying to make the leap from a hybrid car to full electric

As an electronics/IT guy I have always found it hard to make the final decision to buy any tech products including mobile phones, computers, televisions and the like.

That’s probably because I appreciate many of the new technical functionality of the latest models, but then I don’t want to pay the price for the latest units as all this gear depreciates in value so quickly. I find myself waiting for last years model coming on special and buying that instead.

The same goes for my imminent purchase of my first electric car.

I have owned a Toyota Camry hybrid since 2012, and I love the economy and size of the vehicle even though it doesn’t really have lots of power around the city, especially when the small battery is not fully charged.

I love the idea of sitting at traffic lights in silence when the car is fully shutdown and not polluting the atmosphere, the smooth non-existent gear changes of the CVT transmission, the relatively silent cabin noise on the open road and the extra power available from the dual power system when passing on the open road.

I vowed that it would be my last ICE car and I am happy to keep it until an EV fitting my parameters arrives at a reasonable price in Australia. This is the challenge.

Certainly, my main decision on any EV is range versus price, and at the moment the Tesla Model 3 is appears the best choice, but my partner dislikes the minimalistic console and the large LCD screen so much that buying this is just not going to happen.

As a tech guy who understands all the technology of the new cars but still finds it tough on deciding which car to buy, I feel it must be a real nightmare for the non-tech savvy persons to make the purchase decision.

How can we make it simpler for everyone? Maybe some online comparison tables?

I originally ordered a Tesla Model 3 on the first day it was available online. Then after seeing the manufacturing problems Tesla was having, I suddenly realised that if I am going to pay top price as an early EV adopter, then I still want a vehicle that is well build, reliable, energy efficient, pure EV design (not an EV version of an ICE vehicle), great after sales support and the right balance of technical functionality and of course something my partner is also happy to drive.

Am I asking too much?

I have never paid more than $40K for a car but we are prepared to pay $60-$70K for an EV to help promote the technology and play our part in improving the environment. With all these considerations and also being retired makes this a big and difficult decision so hopefully 2022 will see some great new vehicles arrive in Australia.

I love the look and functionality of the new Hyundia Ioniq 5, the upcoming Kia EV6 and especially the Polestar 2, which fits right in beside the Tesla Model 3 pricing.

The Polestar may be the winner for me but it just doesn’t look that aerodynamic, although I’m sure it will certainly be well built with them having the Volvo heritage. I still love the Model 3 and appreciate that Tesla seems to lead in the technology/cost area, but I really wish the cabin was a bit more “normal”.

It makes so much sense to change to a fully Battery Electric Vehicle after seeing the huge reduction of city pollution during the initial Covid lock-downs and pleasure they are to drive with the smooth silent operation and safer technology that I hope everyone makes that “buy” decision sooner rather than later.

It is a great pity our Federal and most of our State governments can’t seem to be proactive enough to help this process happen a lot quicker.