In 2017, Australia electric vehicle sales grew by 70 percent. And yet, the country is still seven years behind other nations in electric vehicle uptake.
What’s causing the delay?
The upfront cost of small electric vehicles may be the reason for this lag. Overcoming the delay is a matter of increasing awareness around all the many benefits of small electric vehicles.
From saving energy to saving money, the advantages of buying an electric vehicle are plenty. If you’re interested in cost-savings and saving the environment, (who isn’t?) then an electric vehicle is the answer.
Keep reading to find out more about electric vehicles and all of their benefits.
Energy Efficiency
What is energy efficiency? It refers to the amount of energy coming from a fuel source that is converted into actual energy used for powering the wheels.
Compared to gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicle are far better at converting their fuel to actual energy. Meaning, they’re far more energy efficient than conventional vehicles.
An electric vehicle converts as much as 62% of energy into spinning the wheels. A gas-powered vehicle is only capable of converting a maximum of 21% into moving you along.
Electric vehicles also maintain their efficiency throughout its lifetime. Whereas the relative efficiency of a gas-powered vehicle decreases as it gets older.
When a natural gas plant supplies the electricity used to charge your battery, you’re saving energy there too. A natural gas plant is more energy efficient than a fossil fuel engine. And if some of that electricity is provided by solar panel or a wind turbine, that efficiency only goes up.
Last but not least, internal combustion engines used to power conventional vehicles also give off heat. Heat is wasted energy.
Reduced Emissions
Global warming threatens our health and the health of our environment. All over the world, we’re recording record high temperatures, rising sea levels, and severe drought.
The main contributor to global warming is carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide is produced when petrol and diesel are burned in an internal combustion engine. Transportation by gas-powered vehicles currently accounts for 13% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
Emissions also contribute to smog, which affects public health. That’s especially true in large cities.
Electric vehicles reduce emissions greatly. By relying on a rechargeable battery for their power, electric vehicles don’t produce any emissions from burning fossil fuels like petrol and diesel.
Save Fuel Money and Operating Costs
The average Australian family spends nearly $17,000 on travel costs every year.
By not using petrol or diesel to power your vehicle, you save a lot of money on fuel. The distance you can travel for a fuel cost of $1.00 is about four times further with an electric vehicle than a gas-powered vehicle.
But you also save on operational costs and maintenance, especially if you properly maintain your battery.
While conventional vehicles use oil to lubricate the engine, there’s no need for a regular oil change on an electric vehicle. In fact, you won’t require any expensive engine work.
Your brakes also last a lot longer on an electric vehicle. So there’s no need to fix or replace those often either.
As more electric vehicles drive the roads, the demand for public charging stations will rise. Charging at a public site will save you electricity from your home and increase your savings even further.
Reliability
Forget having to make a quick stop at the gas station when you’re already late for work. With an electric vehicle, you can charge your vehicle at your own home so its ready for use when you need it.
As more public charging stations are made available, you’ll soon be able to charge your vehicle at the office or while you’re on the road.
A rechargeable is also less complicated than an internal combustion engine and you can rely on them for a lot longer. Nissan recently published a study that showed that 99.9% of their battery packs are still operating according to warranty five years later. They’ve maintained 80% of their original capacity.
Help the Economy
37% of Australia’s energy use comes from liquid fuels like petrol and diesel. That includes 98% of the country’s transport needs.
That reliance on petroleum makes the economy vulnerable. Besides the effects of price spikes, a serious supply disruption could have devastating consequences for food supplies, medication stocks as well as military capacity.
Increasing the number of electric vehicles on the road provides a larger diversity of fuel choices. More fuel choices mean less reliance on petroleum, less economic impacts and less chance of a supply disruption impacting national security.
As it stands right now, by 2030 Australia will be 100% reliant on imported petroleum. But electric vehicles can help Australia achieve energy independence.
Increasing the purchase of electric vehicles also has a positive impact on the economy by attracting investment and creating more jobs.
Incentives
Many governments are proposing incentives for people who buy electric vehicles.
In South Australia, incentives include not having to pay duty stamps and receiving free car registration for five years. That could save $2155 in duty stamp and registration fees for anyone who buys a $40,000 electric vehicle.
Available in a Wide Range of Applications
Small electric vehicles don’t just include your everyday cars anymore. They can now be purchased as utility vehicles, golf carts and even shuttle vehicles. The Dubai mall even uses them for taxi services.
So, if you’re a business owner that relies on transport, electric vehicles can help you get the job done with all the aforementioned benefits and advantages.
There’s No Reason Not to Buy a Small Electric Vehicle
Despite the higher upfront costs of small electric vehicles, they save on fuel costs, operational costs as well as maintenance and repairs. They’re also far more sustainable than gas-powered vehicles. Electric vehicles reduce emissions and are more energy efficient.
Perhaps even more advantageous is the fact that by buying an electric vehicle, you’re helping the economy in terms of energy independence and the creation of jobs and investment. With all those benefits, the upfront cost is a small price to pay.
For the latest news in electric vehicles, check out our blog.
