Australians have shown great willingness to be part of more sustainable solutions. Just one look at our world-leading solar panel uptake proves that. But more and more people are preparing to take the next step – getting the wheels turning on owning an electric vehicle (EV).
What you need to know about transitioning to an EV
Ready to contribute to a greener future every time you drive? Here’s the lowdown on the benefits of electric vehicles – and why making the change is easier than you might think.
After some initial hesitation, the future is starting to look greener for EVs in Australia. An Electric Vehicle Council survey showed that 54% of participants would consider an EV for their next purchase. The federal government introduced a bill to make electric vehicles provided by employers to employees more affordable, while state governments are installing more public charging stations around the country.
With more EV makes and models being released and government legislation to help make these sustainable dreams a reality, now’s the time to swap a petrol guzzler for a green machine. But how exactly do you do that?
We’ve broken down what you need to know about costs, charging and how we can help make your switch to an EV easier.
A wide range of rides
The number of electric vehicle makes and models available in Australia is rising. The Electric Vehicle Council expects the number of EVs on the market to nearly double by the end of 2022 compared to 2021. You can already choose EVs from popular brands such as Hyundai, Mazda, Kia and Tesla, and with more companies entering the market, there will be a bigger range of price points that make it much easier to find an EV that fits your sense of style – and budget.
So, how do you pick the right one for you? One way to make sure you love your new car is to try it out with an EV subscription from AGL available in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Before you buy, you can choose from a selection of EVs in a month-to-month, 3-, 6- or 12-month subscription agreement. You can even swap cars every six months depending on availability, and the solution comes with everything you need including an optional charger in your home.
An electric car subscription takes some of the guesswork out of your EV experience – and can help you get behind the wheel of a more sustainable vehicle with fewer questions and more excitement.
Plugging into the future of driving
With tech improvements and government commitment to adding charging stations around the country, powering up your electric vehicle is also becoming easier – on the go and at home.
We can help you sort out EV charging at home for your pure electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Most EVs come with an adapter that lets you charge your electric vehicle using a standard outlet. But if you’re looking for a faster way to get powered up and back on the road with confidence daily, you can have a home smart charger supplied and installed.
Regardless of how you decide to charge at home, an AGL EV Electricity plan can help you keep your vehicle juiced up for less with bonus credits on your home energy bill. And you could also help offset carbon emissions from your household and EV charging by adding certified carbon-neutral energy to your energy plan.
Busting EV range myths
These days, electric vehicles are better equipped to handle long days of work, road tripping and running errands.
Think about what you really use your car for day in and day out. How long is the drive to work, kids’ sports or the shops? Do some rough maths, then divide 331km – the estimated average range of EVs globally – by that number. That should give you a rough idea of how often you’ll have to charge. On top of that, there are many EVs available in Australia with ranges of more than 450km, with some reaching above 650km. That’s a lot of road!
Ready to finally hit the highway with your friends and family on that great Aussie road trip? You can easily map out your route to ensure you hit a charging station along the way. Some of the best EV chargers feature speedy Direct Current (DC) charging – with some models jumping from 20% to 80% charge in just 15 minutes – that can have you rolling along again by the time you’ve finished lunch.
Better for the planet – and your wallet
Just like mobile phones, computers and other cutting-edge tech, electric vehicles are becoming more efficient and affordable.
Perhaps the most obvious way electric vehicles can save you money is by lowering how often you need to go to the petrol station – or eliminating it. While your exact savings will vary based on petrol and energy prices, you can use this calculator to estimate how much you could save.
For example, let’s say you wanted to travel 100km. The average EV will generally require about 15kwH of power to charge the battery enough to cover that distance. And with an electricity reference price of about $23c/kWh across most Victorian energy distributors as of October 2022, that comes out to about $3.45.
Compare that with the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics report that says Australians use an average of 11.1 litres of petrol to cover 100km. With petrol costing an average of 183.2/litre in October 2022 according to the Australian Institute of Petroleum, you’d have to spend around $20.33 to drive your 100km. That’s quite a bit of potential savings through electric.
Another way your new EV can help your wallet is by requiring fewer trips to the mechanic. Electric vehicles have fewer internal components than petrol-fuelled vehicles, meaning fewer bits and pieces malfunctioning or needing replacing.
Ready for a more sustainable way to drive?
Getting an electric vehicle might just be easier than you think. We have the experience and answers to help you transition from your petrol vehicle to your first EV.
