Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock of late (and who would blame you with all that’s going on both here and overseas), you may have noticed that new BEV sales have crossed a threshold in buyer numbers.
At nearly one quarter of new car sales across Australia (and 43.5% in the ACT), they are starting to appear on the radar of not just new car buyers – the growth of BEV sales are also offering opportunities for new in-store product lines.
In part, this is fuelled by EV manufacturers no longer including things like portable chargers, adapter leads and/or wall chargers with the sale. (Tesla started the trend a couple of years ago, but it is now increasingly common for new BEVs not to come with charging accessories).
As a result, it is becoming necessary to either lean on the salesperson to ‘throw them in’ with the deal, buy them as dealer accessories (often the most expensive option) or go aftermarket*.
Another factor to consider is that portable chargers supplied with the car are often set to 8A/1.8 kW. These are great to have spare in the boot for emergencies (way easier than travelling for/finding/filling/using a fuel tin and funnel) but for day-to-day use, they can make for painfully slow charging as they recoup perhaps 10 or 11 km per hour.
On the other hand, if you have a 15A outlet available, a 15A/3.5 kW charger can recharge twice as fast – but you will need to buy one. The same applies to higher power wall chargers. Manufacturers occasionally offer them as limited-time sweeteners, but this can’t be relied on when it comes to the time you are EV shopping. Another issue is even if one is supplied, it may not suit your needs.
However, fear not: once available only online*, portable and fixed wall chargers, adapter leads and accessories have now started creeping onto store shelves.
However, if you ever needed proof the EV transition has hit the big time – a quick visit to your nearest Bunnings will provide it. For the tradie with everything, there is even a range of major tool brand EV chargers available!
As proof of the transition having reached the ‘point of no return’, it is hard to go past this one.
* Important note re buying electrical goods from overseas:
Never buy EV electrical accessories directly from overseas suppliers. If any damage to cars or property can be attributed to the charger or lead, your insurance company will pass on the damage liability to the supplier’s product liability insurance. If you privately import direct from an overseas supplier, you will be considered the supplier and therefore become personally liable for the damage.
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