A Beginner’s Guide To Electric Vehicles

Considering shifting to an electric vehicle but have no clue where to start? Don’t worry; this guide is just for you. No question is too big, too small or too stupid. So let’s start at the beginning…

What does EV mean?

EV stands for ‘electric vehicle’ and means all vehicles exclusively powered by electricity. They are also known as BEV or ‘Battery Electric Vehicle’. A hybrid isn’t an EV.

And other acronyms?

PHEV stands for ‘Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle’, and these cars have an electric motor and a combustion engine. However, unlike basic hybrids like the Toyota Prius, the batteries in these cars are larger and can be used to run the vehicle on electricity only for short distances, typically around 50km. And, as the name suggests, you can plug them in to charge them too.

We usually refer to plug-in hybrids by the PHEV acronym and leave the phrase ‘hybrid’ for cars like the Yaris. The difference is that hybrids have small batteries and uses the electric motor for boosting the output of the combustion engine as well as helping power auxiliary equipment like air conditioning and audio systems, taking load off the engine. Hybrids can also coast without the combustion engine, further reducing fuel consumption.

A third sort of electrification is ‘mild hybrid’ which involves a small motor working with the combustion engine. This technology is becoming common on vehicles from Audi and BMW and is essentially a miniature version of the hybrid system detailed above.

Finally, ICE stands for ‘internal combustion engine’.

Why buy or rent an Electric Vehicle (EV)?

There are many reasons why people are moving to Electric Vehicles (EV). Here are just a few:

• EVs are fast, smooth and fun to drive.
• EV’s produce no toxic fumes or harmful greenhouse gases.
• EVs are innovative and cool.
• EVs only cost approximately one-tenth that petrol-powered vehicles cost to operate.

What is an EV like to drive?

Generally, an EV is easy to figure out, especially if you’ve driven a car designed in the last ten years. Many EVs are based on ICE cars, like the Hyundai Kona, with similar interiors and controls.

Like most modern ICE cars, EVs typically have a power button you push to start it. Since they run silently, many play a chime or bong to let you know the car is ready to move — some, like the Tesla Model 3, power up when you unlock them. If you’re unsure, selecting drive should let you know if the car is switched on or not, and you will have to have your foot on the brake to do this.

It’s becoming more common for EVs to have low-speed audio playing outside the car. This is mainly to warn pedestrians, but a number now even have an artificial soundtrack coming through the audio system’s speakers inside the vehicle.

The most ‘different’ EV on the market is probably the Tesla Model 3, which ditches behind-the-wheel instruments favouring one huge screen in the middle of the dashboard. This shows speed and controls all functions of the car.

EVs are pretty different to drive than petrol cars. Electric motors don’t need revs for power; they can deliver all of their available torque instantly. Be careful not to stamp on the accelerator as it can be more powerful than you might expect

What is “one-pedal driving”?

Most EVs on the market today offer some degree of “one-pedal driving”, which, in the most basic terms, means the car slows like you have applied the brakes.

In an EV, the battery powers the motor and moves the car forward; however, when stopping, it can do the opposite. When you lift off the accelerator, the magnetic resistance of the motors creates a braking force which slows the vehicle and turns the car’s kinetic energy back into electricity, which gets fed back into the battery.

The brake lights will come on when using one-pedal driving to let drivers behind your car know the vehicle is slowing down.

This is regenerative braking and, while it can be gentle, most EVs have the option to turn the regenerative force up to the point where lifting off the throttle is like stepping quite hard on the brake and will even bring the vehicle to a complete standstill.

When the car stops totally, it engages the hydraulic brakes to hold it in place and should you need to make an emergency stop; the brake pedal works just like those in petrol cars.

This might sound odd, but most people quickly get used to it.

How do I recharge?

The easiest way to charge them is at home. EVs come with a cable that lets you plug them into your house mains. It’s quite slow — a whole night’s charge may not be enough to top up larger batteries fully, but it will give you enough range for a typical day’s driving.

There is also an increasing number of free, fast chargers being supplied by electricity companies around the country. Most will have a plug already connected, but there are a few that require you to bring your own.

Most new EVs can charge at rates up to around 50 kilowatts, with a few able to push that to 100kW and above.

What sort of range do they have, and what is “range anxiety”?

It depends on the car itself, but it varies quite wildly. Second-hand Leafs going for below the $10k mark will typically offer between 100 and 150km of range while Tesla is claiming the upcoming $265k Model Plaid Plus will go more than 800km on a full charge.

Range anxiety is a real thing that affects EV owners, but mainly would-be owners. Simply put, it’s the feeling of dread that comes when going out for a drive but not knowing if you’ll make it home.

While ICE cars can refuel at a fuel station in a few minutes, EVs need much longer than that and charging stations aren’t as prevalent as petrol stations.

Brands and Models

Manufacturers are really embracing the EV segment, with more and more options coming to market.

Nissan Leaf

First produced in 2010, the Leaf is a comfortable ride with a decent amount of space inside and had sold over 500,000 models worldwide by the end of 2020.

New Fiat 500 EV

Released in 2021, this is the first all-electric car from the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles FCA conglomerate, a model to be marketed as the ‘New 500’ and sold alongside the existing petrol hybrid model.

Hyundai Kona Hybrid

Another new release for 2021, targeted at those who are after a small city-orientated Crossover and who are not quite ready to take the plunge with a full EV.

BMW i3

This futuristic vehicle comes with a patented iDrive system, which works as both an in-built satnav and a way to check the battery life.

Volkswagen e-up!

The removal of the gas engine means there’s more space for passengers! There’s also a trio of driving modes: normal, eco and eco+.

Renault Zoe

It’s hard to notice the Zoe is an EV at all, with its sleek finish more akin to a petrol vehicle.

Tesla Model S

Tesla specialises solely in EVs, so it’s no surprise they’re the only name that’ve been able to create a successful sports car on the EV market.

There is an exciting world of EVs out there and we hope we have given you some basic knowledge so you feel confident to explore further. Almost every top manufacturer has at least one model on the market, giving you more choice than you might realise.