BE WARNED
I bought an EV and didn’t know how it worked… here are the biggest problems I faced
AN EV owner has shared her top tips on driving an electric car for first time buyers - don't be caught out.
Many motorists are hesitant to make the switch from conventional petrol or diesel cars to an EV - here's everything you should know.
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In a helpful uploaded on YouTube, content creator Linn, @, shared all her advice on buying a new electric vehicle.
She highlighted that a lot of potential EV buyers will suffer from "range anxiety".
A "common misconception" is that drivers will frequently find themselves stranded or unable to travel long distances in an EV.
"This may be true if you have an older model with a small battery, but most newer EVs have a wider range of over 200miles, with that you can drive normally," Linn explained.
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CHARGING
Another hassle motorists fear when owning an electric car is charging.
Will charging points be overcrowded? How can I charge my car effectively at home? What charging level should I install?
Linn advised: "You need to charge them at home or life will be more annoying.
"Level Two charging is much faster than Level One.
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"You will need a place to charge at home, and an electrician, so there's a cost there, but most likely you will get in back in the first year from not buying petrol.
"There's three types of charging, Level One which is a standard 120v outlet, Level Two which is a 240V outlet, and quick charging which is called CCS or CHAdeMO."
The proud EV owner claimed she rarely uses public charging stations, and most drivers won't if they have a port at home.
PUBLIC CHARGING
However, there will be occasions when you need to top up your vehicle when you're out.
It may be on a long road-trip or if something has gone wrong with charging at home.
Many motorists worry about the cost of public charging.
However, according to Linn: "There are loads of free charging available, you can see what's near you on apps or online.
"There's usually free charging stations at car dealerships, some medical centres and colleges and there's no apps or credit cards needed.
"Car dealerships are usually not exclusive most of the time either so lots of free charging."
The content creator also highlighted many newer EVs come with portable charging packs so you're never caught out.
Other people may worry about getting a spot at public stations after some recent horror stories about charging brawls.
But Linn claimed from her experience: "Charging stations won't be as crowded as you think.
"Outside of big cities there's not that many EVs about, from my experience at charging stations there's nearly never anyone there."
CHARGING VARIABLES
Linn had even more golden advice when it comes to the topic of EV charging.
Here are some important things to remember when re-fuelling your electric car.
"Lithium ion batteries don't charge evenly. It will be much quicker to charge from 40 per cent to 80 per cent than 80 per cent to 100 cent," said Linn.
"Its not a straight line.
"Don't attempt to charge to 100 per cent at a public charging station. it will take a much longer time, if there are people waiting they will get annoyed, if it's not necessary.
"You should only do it if there's no one there."
Linn also urged EV owners not to charge their vehicles up to 100 per cent at home either as this wears down the battery over time.
She recommended topping it up to 80 or 85 per cent.
And, when the weather changes it is worth knowing the process will be slower.
"When it comes to charging, if its cold outside it will take a lot longer, most prefer to charge in warmer temps, be aware," she added.
DRIVING AN EV
Linn pointed out some of the benefits of sitting behind the wheel of an electric car opposed to a conventional one.
"EVs are fast, instant torque, this is true for all EVs," she explained.
"The mile range that the car tells you is calculated based on how you drive previously, keep this in mind because if you've been driving 50mph for some time and then you go to 70mph, the estimated driving range will change.
"Don't look at the estimate as an absolute number."
Range will also be affected by colder temperatures and how much weight is being carried in the car, according to Linn.
This EV owner also mentioned the fact electric cars are built with a regenerative braking system.
"This means one pedal driving, and when you lift foot off accelerator the car will start to brake," she explained.
MILE RANGE
Linn urged anyone looking to buy an EV not to worry about mile range.
She said: "Range anxiety might be overstated, especially with a newer EVs, a 200 plus mile range is a decent distance, you are going to be fine driving back and forth to work.
"You're not using much electricity when you're stuck in traffic. This is ideal if you sit in it a lot, if you drive through towns for example.
"Unless you're driving a distance you're not using much electricity, as opposed to a gas engine."
"An EV is also a lot cheaper to maintain, there's a lot less upkeep and maintenance, no engine, no oil changes, etc.
"Some things will still get worn such as tyres and brakes but there's a lot less stress.
"EV mileage is not the same as a conventional car, because there's less stress on the vehicle when driving many miles."
COSTS
Many people wonder whether driving an EV will actually work out that much cheaper than owning a petrol or diesel car.
Linn broke it down for her followers and said: "EVs are a lot cheaper to drive, for example the Mustang Mach E vs the new Mustang.
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"Let's say the new Mustang drove 10k miles per year, a 2022 Mustang has 20mpg, which works out to 500 gallons per year and $4.5 per gallon means you spend $2,250 on gas in a year.
"Meanwhile the Mustang Mach -E offers 2.6mpg, which will use 3,846kwh at $0.15 per kwh, so that's $577 per year."
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