Buying an electric car

After considering electric cars for several years, I decided to get serious about it in 2021. In 2021, my partner and I shared a car – a 10 year old Toyota Camry Hybrid. We considered two options for purchasing an electric car:

1. Buying an electric car that would travel at least 400 kms between charges so that the new car could replace the Toyota Camry. The starting price for such an electric car was over $60,000. We looked closely at the Tesla model 3 and the Hyundai Kona.
2. Buying an electric car for driving around Canberra and keeping the Toyota Camry primarily for long trips. The starting price for a new electric car was $46,000 (MG ZS EV) and there were some second hand options.

We decided that option 1 was preferred as it meant we continued to just have the one car which we shared. I researched charging stations and decided it was feasible that an electric car which could travel at least 400 kms would meet our long distance travel needs.

We then test drove the Tesla model 3 and Hyundai Kona and completed a detailed comparison of features. We had never spent $60,000 on a car but accepted that it was necessary if we are to reduce out emissions. We decided on the Tesla model 3 rear wheel drive, primarily because of the greater physical space in the car (very similar to the Camry), the Tesla supercharger network, clear delivery timeframe (3 months) and the technology which made it feel like a computer on wheels and not an existing car with an electric motor. Our car arrived in February 2022, three months after placing the order and within a week of the date on which it was promised. We were lucky because delivery timeframes for Tesla model 3 jumped out to 12 months in early 2022. 

Costs

The car cost us $63,555. Because of ACT Government support, we did not pay stamp duty and will not have to pay registration for 2 years, which helped in reducing the initial cost.

If we had replaced the Toyota Camry hybrid with the latest model Camry hybrid, it would have cost us about $42,000. Hence, we were paying an extra $21,555 for the electric car. In considering the whole of life costs, we save money each year with the electric car through not having to buy petrol and through lower servicing costs. We plan to keep the Tesla model 3 for at least 10 years. Over ten years, we expect that the Tesla model 3 will work out cheaper than if we had replaced it with another Toyota Camry hybrid.

Using the car in Canberra

I use the electric car for destinations greater than 10 kms. For trips less than 10 kms, I will generally walk or ride an electric bike. I will use it for some trips less than 10 kms where there is a specific reason I can’t walk or ride e.g. partner and I are attending an event, no safe way to get there by bike or picking up bulky items.

When using the electric car, we plan trips to combine several destinations into the one trip. We also drive safely with no hard acceleration or braking, in order to minimise the energy used.

I installed a Tesla Gen 3 wall connector in our house for a cost of $1,920 ($780 for the unit and $1,140 for installation). This charger will charge the Tesla from zero to maximum overnight. We try and charge the car during the day using the electricity generated by our solar panels. If that is not possible, we will charge after 10pm to take advantage of off peak electricity rates. We have had no problems with the charger.

Using the car for longer trips

We purchased a Tesla model 3 because we wanted a car that could travel at least 400 kms between charging so we could use it for long trips. We have successfully driven the electric car to the sunshine coast (Queensland), Parkes (NSW) and Bendigo (Victoria). We achieved this with minimum difficulties in recharging the car. We have learnt that it is best to recharge the car whenever there is an opportunity. When stopping for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, we look for a charger to use whilst having the break. We try to stay at motels that have destination chargers which will charge the car over night. 

On a small number of occasions, we have arrived at a public charger to find that it is not working or is in use. This has only happened where there are only one or two chargers installed at the location – we have never had a problem with Tesla superchargers where there are usually at least six chargers. It is important to know where alternate chargers can be found should I come across a charger which cannot be used. 

There still needs to be significant increase in the number of chargers. They also need to become available in more locations. Outside of cities, most of the existing chargers are on the main highways. For example, when traveling to the sunshine coast (Queensland), we chose to drive up the coast highway because of the availability of chargers. We did not drive up via Armidale as there were insufficient chargers. There is a need for multiple chargers in individual locations. If there is only one charger at a location, it is more likely to find the charger not operational or in use by someone else.