How to choose your first EV

Choosing an EV requires a different way of thinking about certain aspects of car ownership, such as how and where you will drive it and charge it.

Many people are most concerned about the higher upfront cost of an EV and how far they can drive on a single charge. Other considerations include how much space it has for the family or work and weekend activities, how it fits into their lifestyle, how easy it will be to service or maintain, and how long the battery will last.

Here's how to navigate these factors when looking to buy an electric car. 

Price and cost of ownership 

Without a doubt the first thing many new car buyers consider is, 'How much does an EV cost?'

Certainly, the upfront price of an EV – and how you will pay for it – is still a big consideration.

But the initial price tag of an EV is just the tip of the iceberg. Prospective owners are encouraged to also consider the total cost of ownership, which includes not only car loans or lease repayments, but also the running costs of an EV.

EVs have lower operating costs compared to their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, thanks to fewer moving parts. This combined with the fact that EVs cost less to power than ICE cars cost to fill up, means that there is a point where price parity is reached.

Many people think that because they drive long distances, they can't buy an EV. Actually, the further you drive, the more you can save by owning an EV! To help drivers work out the difference in annual fuel costs, NRMA has a fuel cost comparison calculator.  

There is also a guide on why EVs are cheaper to run than petrol and diesel cars, which includes how to calculate charge costs.

Remember that some electricity providers also offer EV energy plans with low electricity prices for EV charging at night. You can also check if there are EV incentives or rebates in your state here. 

Battery size, range and charging speed 

Many drivers assume that the driving range of an EV is the next biggest consideration, and therefore “bigger is better” when it comes to battery size. But the factors involved in range and battery size are nuanced, because what also matters is how much you drive, where you charge, and how fast an EV can charge.

Keep in mind, an EV with a smaller battery is more affordable, but needs to be charged more often, so how fast it can charge may also matter. An EV with a larger battery drives further on a single charge, but typically has a higher sticker price.

Questions to ask yourself include:

• How far do you drive each day, and where can you charge? If you can charge at home, and only take long distance trips a handful of times a year, you may not need as much driving range as you think, because you can top up overnight.
• If you can’t charge at home, where else is available? Check where your local EV charging stations are, or whether your council or strata have plans for street or carpark chargers.
• How quickly do you need to be able to recharge? More affordable EVs typically charge at a slower rate, so check how long the EV takes to charge on AC and DC charging.

If you need to charge faster at home, you might need to factor in the cost of installing a wall charger at home, as well as where the charge port is on the car, and where you could install the charger in your garage.  

Body style, size and space

It might not be obvious at first, but EVs are generally much roomier than petrol and diesel vehicles of the same size. Because there is no central drive tunnel, there is usually more legroom.

And, because there is no engine under the bonnet, there is often extra storage space (known as a “frunk”) there instead.

All this means that you might not need a vehicle as large on the outside as your last car.

The caveat is if the EV is built on the same platform as a petrol-powered equivalent, such as the MG ZS EV or Kona EV. These are still very good cars but sometimes don’t have the same extra legroom and storage space. 

Lifestyle, safety and technology

How a car fits into your lifestyle and whether you like the look of it are very personal factors, so we’re not telling you how to make a decision here!

But, you might like to know that EVs can offer some interesting extra options, in part because they have a large power source under the floor. Some of these are:

• V2L: Otherwise known as vehicle-to-load, some EVs offer the ability to charge a device using an adapter with a 240-volt powerpoint.
• Child safety features: Some EVs offer advanced rear occupant alert warnings and can even turn the air con on if they detect movement in the back.
• Over-the-air updates: Increasingly, carmakers can update EV software over-the-air, meaning the vehicle gains extra functionality over time instead of being superseded.
• Towing: Yes, many EVs can tow! In fact, because they have instant torque they can be superior in some cases. The main challenge currently is charging infrastructure – because the range will be reduced, you need to charge more often. If you are planning on going out bush, it might be worth hanging on to that second ICE car for now or even hiring one for the odd trip. 

Performance, power and torque

It’s no secret that electric vehicles are no longer the underperforming, short-ranged battery-powered cars of last century. The leaps forward in lithium-ion batteries combined with powerful electric motors means that they are quite often better performing than most ICE vehicles.

Because of this, consideration should be given to who will be driving the car. While L-plate drivers can drive any vehicle provided they are being supervised by a fully licenced driver, there are restrictions on which cars P-platers can drive.

Transport NSW provides a Vehicle Restrictions search tool here where P-plate drivers can check eligibility. 

Aside from this, the performance and power of EVs can make them fun and engaging vehicles to drive! Make sure to take one for a test drive to experience the difference, and remember that another option is to hire an EV for a week to see what it’s like.

Warranty and servicing

When thinking about buying an electric vehicle, it's also important to recognise that while EVs require less maintenance than petrol cars, you still need to follow the manufacturer's servicing schedule.

Unlike traditional cars, EVs have fewer moving parts, but you must ensure they're checked and maintained properly. That said, servicing schedules are typically fewer and further between and cost less to boot.

It's also a good idea to think about where you'll service your EV. Make sure there's a qualified service centre near you, as not all mechanics are equipped to handle electric vehicles.

Concerns about how long an EV battery lasts shouldn't deter you from buying an EV, either.

Battery replacements are rare, thanks to advancements in technology. Most EVs come with a battery warranty of 7 to 8 years or up to 160,000 kilometres.

These typically come into play if there is more than 20 per cent degradation on the battery in this time, which shows how confident manufacturers are in their battery's longevity. This warranty should ease any worries about the battery's life span and the cost of potential replacements.