Here are things to consider if you’re thinking of shifting to EVs and buying an electric car:

buying an electric car

1. Is range something to be worried about?

The dreaded range anxiety is a hot subject in the electric vehicle world. Let’s have a look at the numbers. First and foremost, the kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of measurement for battery capacity. For the most efficient battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) available on the market, every unit can go for up to 8 kilometers of driving.

In 2022, the standard BEV on sale in Ireland will have a battery pack ranging from 50 to 80 kWh. The 60 kWh Hyundai Kona BEV, for example, has a stated range of 484 kilometers. The typical Irish motorist travels roughly 50 kilometers each day, therefore the battery lasts almost ten days.

2. How long do the batteries last? 

Battery life is improving. The battery is typically guaranteed for seven or eight years by the car manufacturer. Battery warranties of up to ten years are expected to be available soon for certain BEV models.

Certain hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) batteries come with a 15-year warranty. The key to extending battery life is to avoid overcharging or discharging the battery.

Close up shot of electric car being charged at outdoor charging station. Electric mobility, sunny day shot. Global warming awareness

3. Is it more costly to purchase a battery-electric vehicle?

BEVs are generally more expensive than regular gasoline or diesel vehicles. In Ireland, government incentives of up to €5,000 are available for vehicles priced up to €60,000, offering accessibility when buying electric cars like these. 

BEVs are also eligible for vehicle registration tax (VRT) savings, but only up to €40,000 in value. The charger is eligible for a €600 grant. All new vehicles in Ireland come with a 23 percent VAT included in the pricing.

4. Is it true that battery-electric vehicles are more costly to run?

By charging a BEV with inexpensive night-time power, the average BEV driver could save around €100 per month in comparison to a normal diesel or petrol automobile.

Although electricity at high-power public charging stations can be expensive, low-cost night-time electricity at home allows for significant fuel savings. Based on how frequently you drive, the higher cost of the BEV will probably be offset by the cost savings from fueling the car over the course of a decade or more.

Electric car

5. Is a special mechanic required if something goes wrong?

Yes, because battery and hybrid automobiles have powertrains that are significantly different from a typical car, you have to take them to professional mechanics for service and maintenance.

Your automobile will be serviced by highly trained technicians and specialists at the garage. The BEV requires less maintenance than a standard car since it has fewer moving parts, which makes it much easier to service.             

6. Would electric cars tow a horsebox or horse trailer?

The acceleration of an electric vehicle is one of its best features. For some drivers, going from zero to sixty miles per hour is wonderful, but for others it is dreadful. Although most electric cars are not built to tow, a few are, so check to see whether you can tow as well as how much you can pull.

7. What’s the difference between a mild hybrid and a hybrid-electric vehicle?

The hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) has two energy sources: an electric motor and a battery, as well as a high-efficiency gasoline engine. The batteries and electrical system allow the engine to operate in the most economical manner, boosting range while reducing carbon emissions. Whenever it’s inefficient to utilize the engine, the electric system can propel the vehicle, allowing it to drive silently in electric mode for approximately several kilometres.

In that they use an engine to propel themselves, mild-hybrid vehicles are comparable to traditional diesel and petrol automobiles. The usual mild hybrid uses a 48 V lithium-ion battery, while the standard vehicle uses a 12 V lead-acid battery. This technology allows the car to run more effectively and emit less carbon than a standard vehicle, but it does not move the vehicle.

electric car

8. What exactly is a plug-in hybrid?

A plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid car with a huge battery that, like a BEV, can be plugged in. The battery is normally sized so that the driver can finish the 50-kilometer average daily drive entirely on the battery, without using the engine. For long rides, the car can utilize the engine, but for short journeys, it can only use electricity. 

9. Is it true that electric vehicles are better for the environment?

Whenever a car is powered by electricity in Ireland, it emits far fewer carbon emissions than when it is powered by fossil fuel. International automobile manufacture, however, results in significantly higher carbon emissions. Generally, when manufacturing and fueling emissions are taken into account, electric vehicles generate less carbon for the average driver.

Smaller batteries in BEVs produce fewer global emissions than larger batteries in BEVs. BEVs with big batteries emit equal amounts of CO2 to PHEVs on a global scale. HEVs produce more global emissions, which are also greater in regular gasoline and diesel vehicles. In metropolitan areas, diesel cars face additional challenges with hazardous pollutants.

10. When will I afford a battery-powered vehicle?

Most individuals in Ireland can afford an electric vehicle, as seen by the number of them on the road. Nevertheless, the market has not yet reached the point where it can offer affordable solutions in all segments of the automobile industry.

Covid has wreaked havoc on supply chains. The majority of dealers of different vehicle types are struggling to keep up with demand for new and secondhand automobiles. Significant improvement is expected in the coming decade to make buying an electric car easier.