The benefits of electric cars: 5 reasons your next car might be electric
There are a lot of rumours and questions around buying electric cars in Australia: whether there are incentives for EVs, using renewable energy to charge your EV, saying goodbye to fuel costs for fully electric EV models… the list goes on!
From electric cars’ environmental benefits to the financial side of EV ownership, we have unpacked the potential benefits of electric cars to help you decide whether an EV should be your next car.
Buying electric vehicles in Australia
According to the Electric Vehicle Council data, the number of EVs on Australian roads has almost doubled over the past year, from 44,000 at the beginning of 2022 to now more than 83,000.
As more drivers across Australia are exploring the potential benefits of owning an EV, the total number of EVs on Australian roads is expected to reach 100,000 in the coming months.
Of the 83,000 EVs currently in circulation on Australian roads, 79% are battery EVs (running on a fully electric motor) while 21% are plug-in hybrid EVs, which use both combustion engines and electric battery power.
If you’ve been thinking about joining the EV owners of Australia, here are some of the reasons you might consider buying an EV.
Reason #1: EVs generally have lower emissions
The potential environmental benefits of owning electric cars depend on a number of factors including which type of EV you choose, as different types of EVs offer different benefits. For example, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine an internal combustion engine and electric motor. This means you can’t completely avoid the emissions generated by an internal combustion engine (or the associated fuel costs) but they will generally have lower emissions compared to a full internal combustion engine.
Then there’s the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV. This type of EV has a battery to store electricity as well as an internal combustion engine.
Battery electric vehicles, or BEVs, on the other hand are fully-electric vehicles and don’t require any fuel to run. These are powered entirely by their electric battery. Since these don’t use any petrol or diesel to run, BEVs offer the most potential environmental benefits compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Unlike ICE vehicles that emit a range of particulates, contaminants and gases from the combustion process, at a vehicle level, BEVs only emit heat. There are no other emissions generated when driving a BEV, making them generally more environmentally friendly than many other types of cars.
Reason #2: It’s possible to charge an EV using renewable energy sources
By charging your EV using renewable energy sources you could further reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. For example, charging stations powered by solar PV systems use renewable energy or you could maximise the benefit of solar power produced by your solar PV system at home by charging your EV during the day when the solar PV system is generating electricity.
Australia is embracing more renewable energy sources as we move towards a goal of net zero emissions by 2050. As this happens, it is likely EV owners will have access to even more options to charge their EV that use renewable energy.
Reason #3: EV chargers are now easier to find
Petrol stations are generally easy to find on any road trip, but the thought of finding EV charging stations could be seen as a barrier for many people here in WA. The good news is there are actually hundreds of places in WA for EV owners to charge their EV – and that number is set to grow.
Synergy and Horizon Power are working with the State Government to create Australia’s longest Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network (the WA EV Network). Once completed, EV drivers will have access to 98 EV charging stations across 49 locations in the State, from Eucla at the South Australian border to Kununurra in the far north of WA. EV owners can also utilise handy apps and resources produced by third parties such as Plugshare to help them find EV charging stations and plan their journeys.
With the number of EV owners growing, we offer an electricity plan only available to EV owners, our Synergy EV Add On electricity plan which could make charging your EV at home more attractive.*
Reason #4: You could save with an EV in the long run
Have you ever wondered “Are electric cars cheaper to run?”? With fuel costs fluctuating, there may be potential financial benefits to owning an EV.
If you charge your EV with electricity from the grid, you’ll have to pay for it, but the cost is likely to be cheaper when compared to what you’d pay to fill your fuel tank up with petrol or diesel.
We have done the maths on the costs to charge an EV, which depend on a number of factors including how and when you charge them.
EV owners may also save on servicing and maintenance costs. There are around 20 moving parts in an electric motor, compared to about 2000 in an ICE vehicle engine. With an EV, there is no need for engine oil, pistons, or even complex transmission systems, since most EVs use only one gear.
Across the world, some countries already have plans in place to completely phase out ICE vehicles. There are no plans for this yet in Australia, but the Federal Government has been working on creating a tax benefit on electric cars. Potential tax advantages associated with EVs could be a reason some drivers choose to purchase an EV. For more information visit the Australian Tax Office website and seek professional tax advice.
Many Australian states and territories have also created financial incentives for EVs. Here in WA, The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate Scheme administered by the Department of Transport offers a $3,500 rebate on the purchase of eligible zero emission vehicles as part of the Government's Clean Energy Car Fund. Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate Scheme, more information is available on the Department of Transports website.
Reason #5: If you love new technology, you might love an EV
There’s no doubt there is some impressive tech involved in the design of EVs.
Using an app to start your car or get your air con or heater running before you get to your car on a hot day are features enjoyed by some EV owners.
EVs are practically silent compared to ICE vehicles and can deliver an instant torque sensation. Power is almost instantly available, and this can be felt when you accelerate from a standstill.
Many EV manufacturers are also putting regenerative brakes and solar-powered cooling systems into their cars. Some EV manufacturers are also exploring aerodynamic design features for a smoother driving experience and to extend the driving range of EVs.
Electric motors are generally much smaller than petrol engines, so car designers have more freedom with what they put in the car and where it goes. For example, you might be familiar with the front trunk (‘frunk’) on a Tesla – which makes the most of storage space where hoses, pipes and clunky metal engine parts would otherwise sit in an ICE vehicle.
As EV technology becomes even more sophisticated, there could be even more focus around self-driving capabilities and enhanced autopilot features. It’s possible that self-driving cars will shape the way we drive in the future – and EVs could be at the heart of this transformation.
Good news! The number of different models of EVs is growing
The first electric vehicle was invented in the 1830s by a Scottish inventor named Robert Anderson. It may have taken almost two centuries to get from Robert’s initial prototype to where we are today, but there’s no going back now. Read more fast facts about electric cars.
If you’ve thought buying an EV in Australia might limit you to a few models, you’ll have even more reasons to buy in the near future.
EVs have generally been considered to be more expensive than a standard ICE car, however new EV models starting from around $40,000 (plus on-road costs) and a wider range including hatchbacks and smaller SUVs are anticipated to be available in the Australian EV market in coming years.
The last five years have seen the number of available EV models expand significantly with major car manufacturers such as Audi and Volvo now offering their EV models to compete in the market.
Join Australia’s community of EV owners
Will you be part of the EV revolution? If you're considering an EV as your next car, explore some of the resources available to support WA’s current and aspiring EV owners embracing EVs as the future of transport.
*Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply to the Synergy EV Add On plan.
DISCLAIMER: This blog post contains references to third parties and links to websites and apps created and operated by third parties ("Third Party Information"). This blog and links to Third Party Information are provided for convenience only. Synergy does not endorse or approve any of the third parties or communities referenced in this blog and makes no warranties as to their availability, suitability, reputation or capacity. Synergy does not monitor, verify, warrant, or make any representations with respect to any of the third parties or communities referenced in this blog, the Third Party Information or any subsequent links within that Third Party Information. Synergy has no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of any Third Party Information. Access to any Third Party Information and participation in any community contained in this blog is at your own risk, and such access and participation may be subject to terms and conditions and privacy policies that are outside of Synergy's control.
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