If electric power is so affordable and much better for the environment, then why don’t more people buy EVs? The main reason why is the availability of charging stations. The first electric cars were presented to the public in 1832 (over 50 years before the gasoline-powered cars we know today) by a man named Robert Anderson. Once they were released, gas-powered cars quickly grew in popularity, as they were more convenient for the people of the time due to how quick and easy they were to fill. Now, electric cars are slowly becoming a more common sight around the world. There are many benefits to owning an EV, including up to date technology, reduced maintenance costs, no need to pay for gas, and the knowledge that you are driving a vehicle that is much better for the environment than a gas-powered car.
You might be surprised by the cost of owning an EV in Australia. Thanks to the affordability of electricity and the limited amount of maintenance that a quality EV needs, electric vehicles are much cheaper to own long term than a standard fuel car. Excluding the initial price of the car itself, car insurance, or the payments you may need to make if you end up in a car accident, you can expect that the most expensive item you will need to pay for related to your car is the EV battery. This battery can be expensive to replace, but most batteries should last you over 100,000 miles before this happens, meaning you should only expect to replace your battery once every several years.
How Much Money Could I Save Owning an EV vs a Fuel Car?
Of course, the amount of money you can save by owning an EV depends entirely on how often you drive, how far, how fast you travel, and what car you will be replacing with your EV, so the precise savings will be different for everyone. Compared to driving your existing fuel car for the same distance and same amount of time, however, you should expect your EV to save you a notable amount of money every year (around $1,500 for most EV owners). The huge savings offered by electric vehicles over time is one of the main reasons that more and more people are choosing to purchase EVs.
- TIP – If you are considering an EV because you want to save money and live a more environmentally friendly life, but you are unable to afford the initial cost, consider leasing an EV at a reduced price compared to owning one outright
No Need For Gas or Oil
Gas prices fluctuate regularly, especially during tumultuous times in the world when an unexpected war or pandemic may interfere with the supply and demand of gasoline. An electric vehicle has no need for gas, and you will never need to take your EV in for an oil change either. Those are two regular expenses you can wipe off your budget when you purchase an EV.
The Price of Electricity
Electricity is much cheaper than gasoline. Although the regularly changing price of gas makes it difficult to give a hard amount of savings you can expect from owning an EV in Australia, a good estimate to keep in mind is that you will spend about a third on electricity compared to gasoline for the amount of miles you are driving. In other words, driving 200 miles with a gasoline-powered car will cost you approximately $30 while driving that same distance in an EV will cost about $9.
Reduced Maintenance Costs
An electric vehicle requires less maintenance than a gasoline-powered vehicle. This isn’t simply due to electric vehicles being “modern” but also because gasoline-powered vehicles require many more components than an EV does. Examples of parts you won’t find in your EV include:
- Exhaust pipes
- Fuel filters
- Air filters
- Spark plugs
- Mufflers
- Catalytic converters
- As well as over 100 parts that make up a gasoline-powered vehicle’s combustion engine
Beyond the high initial price of most electric cars, perhaps the biggest reason that so many people are still hesitant to make the switch to driving an EV is the fact that in some parts of the country, public charging stations are still few and far between (and may not exist at all in open areas far from the Australian National Highway System. To get the most use out of your electric vehicle, consider investing in an affordable portable EV charger from Jucer that you can store inside your car. A purchase now could save you hours of stress and exhaustion in the future if you end up stranded far from a public EV charging station, and if you’re far from one of the main roads on the NHS, it could even save your life. Electric vehicles are a great investment for both the planet and your financial future, and we hope that you get a lot of mileage and enjoyment out of yours.
Are you thinking about buying your first EV? Here are some helpful EV buying guides by JUCER.
Electric Cars due for Australia in 2022 Part 1 – JUCER
Thinking of buying an EV? EV Charging basics Speed + Range. – JUCER
EV Chargers, what exactly is a Type 2 Portable Charger and how do I us – JUCER
EV Charging. Just got a KIA Niro? What you need to know. – JUCER
How Owning An EV In Australia Is More Affordable Than Ever! – JUCER
Polestar smashes global sales for 2021, here’s why. – JUCER
Disclaimer: JUCER does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data and accepts no liability whatsoever arising from or connected in any way to the use or reliance upon this data. Special thanks to Christopher Burns and Thaddaeus Lim.
