Page 31 - Tropic Magazine Issue 38

TROPIC • MOTORING

Images: Michael Jennings Creative

Fuel vs electric

OPINION
A local motoring enthusiast has
done the research to compare
the costs, efficiencies and
environmental gains of electric
and combustion engines. How far can you get on a charge?
The average Queenslander travels just
Words: Lara Wilde
38km per day in their car. The average EV
“Would you like to drive?” When business currently takes you 400km before it needs
advisor Nicky Jurd offered me the to charge. Note I said average - plenty of
steering wheel of her sleek, black Tesla electric cars are now getting 500 to 800
I jumped at the chance. As a car lover I kms in one charge.
had been admiring the growing number
of electric vehicles (EVs) on our roads Where can you recharge?
for years. I felt the instant torque as we In our region there are plenty of options.
surged onto the road. I knew I was lost to Hotels, shopping centres and tourist
the EV fad. I had to have one. attractions have them. If all else fails, How long does it take to recharge?
Gone are the days when we chose you can charge out of a standard power A very slow charging car on a standard
between the internal combustion outlet. It might take a little longer but house outlet might charge enough in one
options of diesel or petrol. Now, we can that gives you time for another cup of tea. hour to travel 10-50km. A super-fast DC
dip our toes into the refreshing new EV charging outlet plugged into a super-fast
waters with a hybrid that maintains the What if I park on the street or don’t have charging car will give you 100km in a
familiarity of an internal combustion power in the garage? few minutes.
motor and marries it to an electric motor. You may not have your own charging
Or really take the plunge and purchase option at home, but I am assuming you How do costs compare in the long term?
a battery EV. Every prospective new EV have never had a fuel bowser at home and One of the cheapest electric vehicles in
buyer wants to know if they can work for yet somehow you have always managed Australia is an MG at about $45,000 while
us in the Far North. Here are the answers to get on the road. Perhaps you can the MG petrol version is $23,000.
to some of the most common questions. charge at work or hang out at the casino Even without the $3,000 EV subsidy on
while you recharge. Or buy a long offer, I think EVs will come out in front
Does the impact on the environment heavy-duty extension lead. over the life of the car. You are saving
to make batteries outweigh reduced on fuel but also consider that an EV will
emissions? But don’t I still have to pay for the cost about 40% less for maintenance.
The Polestar 2 EV does cost the electricity? Fewer moving parts means less servicing,
environment more to make than its sister True, but if you have solar panels the cost although you will still have tyres and
petrol equivalent the Volvo XC40 SUV, is almost nil. Reports are that you can brakes to look after. As the cars
but within 110,000 ‘zero CO2’ kilometres save 70% per year on fuel costs. become more popular and battery
the overall emissions footprint for the If the average cost for petrol is $1.50 technology advances, I predict
two cars will break even. The long-term per litre, the electric equivalent is about purchase and servicing costs will come
environmental impact of a combustion 33 cents per litre. A typical internal down significantly.
engine car is far greater and with combustion fuel car will cost 14 cents to
constant advances in EV technology, this drive 1 km, while an electric car will cost MORE: tropicnow.com.au
will only increase. about 4 cents.

31 • tropicnow.com.au