Electric vehicles: Is New Zealand ready for an EV revolution?

New Zealand has EV infrastructure

It might be a surprise, but a lot of the groundwork has already been done to make the transition to EVs easy – and easy on the environment:

• our electricity network allows every house to charge an EV
• more than 85 percent of our homes can accommodate charging at home
• over 80 percent of our electricity is generated from renewable sources.

However, as of May 2019 there were only about 14,000 EVs in New Zealand. That’s not even 1 percent of all the vehicles in the country! So why aren’t more people making the switch?

We need to change how we think about EVs

There are many reasons why relatively few people have entered the EV market. However, greater adoption is vital if we’re to achieve a low emissions future.

Let’s look at three of the most common misunderstandings, and the reasons why you might want to consider an EV when you’re looking for your next car.

Misunderstanding: EVs can only drive a short distance before needing to recharge

Most EVs can easily manage a range between 100–200 km on a fully charged battery. Of course, your definition of a “short distance” might differ from that of your neighbour. Early model EVs have a shorter driving range than later models, but as battery technology improves and costs decrease, that range will continue to increase.

Ninety percent of daily vehicle travel in NZ is 90 km or less. The average distance is just 30 km. All EVs on the market will meet most people’s daily driving needs. At the end of the day, most of us are able to charge our car when we get home.

By considering your driving needs and the ability to charge your car at home overnight, an EV should be able to get you through the day.

Misunderstanding: Charging stations are few and far between

You might not have noticed the EV-charging stations that have sprung up across the country over the past few years. Or that the closest, most convenient, and possibly the most affordable charging station is in fact your home.

After a typical day of driving, your EV can recharge at the same time you do – while you sleep! By charging your car at home every night, you’re using energy that’s generated by largely renewable means.

Many power companies now offer EV owners discounted rates on their power bill too, saving you between six to seven times more than petrol. You’ll be saving some money while you’re helping to save the planet.

Owning an EV means you’ll need to form some new re-fuelling habits. You’ll need to think differently about how often you need to refill your car’s “tank”. It’s no longer a case of swinging by the petrol station when you notice you’re running low. Instead, you’ll be plugging in every night before you go to sleep, and planning ahead before a long drive.

Find EV charging stations to help you plan your next journey.

Misunderstanding: They’re too expensive

The sale price of a new EV is typically higher than an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. However, when you consider the efficiencies you gain, the five-year running costs are about the same (if not a bit cheaper) than an ICE vehicle.

Used EVs are roughly the same price as equivalent ICE vehicles. The price for a used 2016 Nissan Leaf is about the same as a Ford Focus or Mazda 3.

We tend to focus on the upfront costs rather than thinking about the running costs across the car’s lifetime. So next time you’re comparing EVs with ICEs, take the long term view. Think about how you’re going to save in the long run, rather than just the purchase price. Future you will thank past you (and so will the planet).