Due to the higher cost of producing large lithium-ion battery packs that contain rare earth minerals, pure electric cars are often pricier than their petrol- and diesel-powered equivalents.
In addition to the myths, there are also some obvious reasons many car shoppers simply aren't yet buying into EVs, such as the high sticker price, range anxiety and the fear of battery degradation and potential fires.
EVs to become cheaper in Australia after crossbench strikes deal with Labor. Electric cars are set to become cheaper and government fleets will go green after members of the crossbench struck a deal to pass a Labor bill and phase out public support for petrol-based plug-in vehicles.
As well as being affected by many of the same factors as petrol cars, such as the LCT pushing up the price, EVs have also been affected by relatively little investment in EV infrastructure in Australia, as well as fewer government incentives.
EV owners have experienced chronic problems with the display screens, exterior door lights, failing temperature sensors, mismatched paint, and seals and weatherstripping. It's not just that these problems occur, but that they occur at a higher rate than with conventional vehicles.
The average lifetime mileage of an ICE vehicle is about 133,000 miles. While experts estimate the average EV battery will last around 200,000 miles, some manufacturers already promise much more than that.
Lack of models
The lack of choice and of lower-cost electric vehicles in Australia is because carmakers prefer to send these models to markets with supportive electric vehicle policies . Making these models available in Australia may be as simple as giving carmakers the motivation to sell them there.
There are a range of unique hurdles to EV adoption in Australia, from the lack of infrastructure in the form of public recharging stations to the limited range, higher initial price of the cars and a lack of government (at all levels) subsidies to help offset the cost.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles have a registration duty rate of 2% (compared to 4 cylinder vehicles which have a registration duty rate of 3%). Battery electric vehicles attract the lowest level of registration.
According to Treehugger.com, experts anticipate that EVs and gas-powered cars will cost about the same by 2025. As even more EVs are manufactured, they will become less expensive to produce, with some experts claiming they will be even cheaper than their gas-powered counterparts in just a few years.
Because the technology powering EVs is new, it's still being perfected. So much new hardware in your vehicle means the upfront cost of buying is likely to be higher. Likewise, the second hand market for EVs hasn't had time to mature so there are fewer deals out there.
EVs are cheaper to run
EVs are significantly cheaper to run, including fuel savings of up to 70% and maintenance savings of around 40%. For an average car travelling 13,700 km per year, this could amount to an annual fuel saving of $1000, or $1200 if the EV is able to charge overnight on an off-peak tariff.
California has spent more than $400m on various incentive programs to help lower-income drivers purchase zero-emission vehicles. There is the CC4A program, which offers up to $9,500 toward a down payment for an electric vehicle if the applicant turns in a vehicle older than a 2005 model.
If an EV is in your price range, and range isn't going to be a problem based on typical journeys, getting an electric car is a great idea. Not only is it cheaper to run, but it's also eco-friendly, usually nippy – and a way to futureproof your transport solution for years to come.
BHP wants a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel powered cars in Australia by 2035 and says governments should ensure the nation has the necessary infrastructure to support an increasingly electric car fleet.
Here lies the primary reason why electric cars are not the future: Battery limitations are holding the industry back. Without a national, dependable network of charging stations, electric cars risk remaining a luxury product bought by wealthy suburbanites who can outfit their garages with personal charging stations.
No, Don't Buy: There Will Be Even More EVs in 2023
The number of electric cars, trucks and SUVs you can buy will boom in 2023. We'll get a look at the first models from Honda and Acura, for example, while Chevrolet has multiple EVs set to join its lineup.
The MG ZS battery electric SUV has been named as the cheapest EV to buy and most affordable to run in the Annual Car Running Costs Survey by the RACV, while the Tesla Model 3 is the cheapest EV to charge.
Electric vehicles boast instant torque, meaning they accelerate the second you put the pedal to the metal. However, the high instant torque of electric vehicles can also increase wear and tear. In addition to good grip, the rubber compound used for EV tires also needs low rolling resistance.
So, do electric cars lose charge when parked? Yes, but a very minimal amount. This is because the battery is still powering some electric systems even when the car is not turned on. It's these systems that require constant power that use a small amount of battery.
The 2022 survey found that EV owners cited 39% more problems with their new vehicles than did owners of new combustion-engine vehicles. Industrywide, problems per 100 vehicles rose 11% this year, for an average of 180 problems per 100 vehicles.
Experts say electric vehicle batteries typically cost between $2,000 and $10,000 to replace, but some are more expensive. Electric vehicles are growing in popularity worldwide, with sales doubling in 2021 to a new record of 6.6 million, the International Energy Agency said in May.
When it comes to the cost of car batteries, electric vehicles take the trophy for the most expensive type. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, a battery can run you between $4,000 and $20,000.