Owning a new car is like welcoming the newest member of a family. There is tremendous joy and expectation all around. What more if the newest baby in the family is an electric vehicle.
For new owners of electric vehicles to enjoy their newest baby in the family, one must temper any high expectations about an electric vehicle.
Here are some tips and insights we can share.
Plan your trips carefully
While there are already charging stations operating in our country, availability is still limited. Be aware of the battery range of your EV. Having a range of 400km does not mean that you can drive your EV until your battery is fully drained. Since we do not have enough charging stations available now, the rule of thumb is planning a roundtrip with your EV that should not exceed 75% of your battery range.
Class 1 chargers usually come with each electric vehicle
A class 1 charger is a slow charger that will charge your battery from 8 to 10 hours. This charger is good for overnight charging. A slow charger has its advantage over that of a fast charger. It does not degrade the life of the battery compared to a fast charger. You only use a fast charger in case of an emergency. Otherwise, it is advisable to use a slow charger for your daily use.
To further prolong the life of your battery, do not charge to 100%
Charge your battery up to 85% only unless you are going on a long road trip that will use up at least 75% of our battery range.
Most EVs have multiple driving modes
Some EVs come with economy, comfort, and sport mode. Be aware that economy mode is the most power efficient mode of an EV. Choosing sport mode is the least efficient driving mode.
The battery is the most expensive part of an EV
Most EV brands give a battery warranty of up to 8 years. Be prepared to spend for your replacement battery once your warranty has expired. Cost of the battery is 40% of the total cost of an EV. Hopefully, within the next 8 years, it will go down to only 20% as new battery technologies come into play.
Avoid driving through flooded streets if possible
Water is the enemy of your battery. It can cause a short circuit of your battery. This damages the battery and worse, it can cause a battery fire that is very hard to control.
See to it that you’re on board or home charger is in good condition
A faulty charger can cause overheating your battery that can damage it or worse, can cause battery fire.
After-sales service of an EV is far simpler than that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles
While the battery is within its 8-year warranty period, major expenses during the life of an EV are tire replacement, brake fluid replacement, and wiper blade replacement. Maintenance cost of an EV is far less than internal combustion engine vehicles. You will experience fewer visits to your after-sales service center.
Reduced fuel cost is one of the main considerations in owning an electric vehicle
Fuel savings of up to 80% is expected from electric vehicles. So, if your monthly average fuel bill is 10,000 pesos, expect your electric bill to increase to 2,000 pesos. That is a whopping 8,000 pesos of savings per month or 96,000 pesos per year.
Owning an EV can be a rewarding experience. Aside from doing your share in promoting clean air, you also enjoy the reduced cost of owning one. The arrival of multiple EV brands into our country gives us the power of choice.
