8 Of The Most Common Questions About Electric Vehicles Answered
It’s increasingly clear more people want to drive Electronic Vehicles (EVs) – all these reports have been pointing out record or near-record sales continuously for a few years now.
No brainer – they’re economical, environmentally friendly and are fun to drive!
But as with any new technology, there are plenty of uncertainties – so we asked the experts, at Global EVRT to enlighten us on the realities of electric vehicles and to myth-bust the most common concerns. Here’s what Sophie Sandham and Ben Pullen had to say…
1. How do you drive one?
You drive an EV in a similar way to a petrol automatic car (but there is an electric motor and battery pack that drive the wheels, instead of an internal combustion engine that relies on burning petrol… technical bit over!)
Basically, you drive it like a normal car: hop in, turn it on with the push-button start, shift it into drive and be on your way. Like an automatic there are just two pedals in the car – but with the innovative technology of the EV you mainly use just one pedal: the acceleration. This pedal has a natural break when you take your foot of it. This natural breaking is called ‘regenrative breaking’ which actually charges up your battery whilst you’re moving – so clever! There is also a specific pedal for breaking when you need a quicker stop, so you still have full control.
May we also add that they generally have INCREDIBLE acceleration, are so smooth, beautifully silent (sorry petrol-heads), and of course come guilt-free as you’re not adding fumes to our atmosphere.
2. Are they practical?
Electric cars are just as – if not more – practical than their petrol or diesel counterparts.
EVs today come with room for five or more people, with two reasonably spacious boots (one being where your engine sits in your petrol car!) and a driving range that is more than good enough for the vast majority of commuter distances.
‘Range anxiety’ is a real term. However, Tesla have a range of 400km, Renault Zoe is 300km, and Chevrolet Bolt 500km. On your average daily drive around Dubai, or even all the way to Abu Dhabi and back, you will not use that up – panic over!
And as the technology is so rapidly improving you can only expect the cars to get even more clever and comfortable. They improve with software updates (like your phone and computer) so you will always be behind the wheel of the most innovative technology!
3. But still, what happens if I run out of battery?
You won’t – you’re far too intelligent to let that happen!
When did you last run out of petrol? Probably never, or during a very unfortunate trip out to the desert.
But if you did? You simply call your break down cover, just like a petrol car.
The cars essentially have built in computers, helping and advising you as you drive around. They’ll make sure you know just how much battery is left, how far that will take you, what speed you should drive at to save power, and even where your nearest charging stations are – the perfect co-pilot!
4. Isn’t charging them difficult?
Forget likening charging your car to filling up for petrol, think of it more like charging you phone. You do it whilst you sleep, whilst you’re at work, and any time that you’re not on the move (and you never queue!)
The same goes for EVs. You can get a charger installed at your house, at work, or find one of over 100 public charging stations across Dubai built by DEWA. With another 100 to be built by the end of the year. These will include fast (40 min) and medium (2-4 hours) chargers. They’re in places such as hotels, shopping malls, parks and Dubai Government customer service centres – places where you intend to spend time anyway!
There is also a network of special Tesla chargers across the UAE, and DEWA are installing fast-charging at petrol stations too. Dubai is likely to become the city with the highest number of charging stations per car in the world!
5. Are they expensive?
Electric cars are MUCH cheaper to maintain than petrol/diesel cars, because, like your laptop, they run largely off software – so no more trips to the garage! Electricity is cheaper than petrol (even here in the UAE!) and until 2019 DEWA have made public charging completely free for EV owners!
The initial cost of buying one is still more expensive than your average petrol/diesel car (although you can get a great Green Auto Loan from Emirates NBD) but over time they will save you money. However, with battery technology rapidly improving it won’t be long until even the buying price is better, so stay tuned!
6. Are they suitable for any kind of weather?
Electric cars work in ALL kinds of weather, including blazing heat to sub zero temperatures (ok the latter may be less important to us, but still good to know!) Yes the weather can affect the performance, as with many pieces of technology, but not enough to affect you whizzing up Sheikh Zayed Road!
7. Is there enough choice?
From high-spec sports models, to affordable family cars, there is actually PLENTY of choice, and they’re making their way to the UAE fast! In Dubai you can currently buy a Tesla (high price) and Renault Zoe (lower price), both are very comftable cars with adequate range – and we expect more of the many EVs out there to be in the UAE in a matter of months!
8. Can I try before I buy?
Of course! Renault and Tesla offer test drives in Dubai.
However if you want to seriously experience the smooth, silent and speedy acceleration of an EV why not join us on our Electric Vehicle Road Trip in January?
We’ll be driving across the UAE and Oman, putting these awesome cars to the test as you cross borders, scale mountains, whizz past beaches and through the desert! With plenty of chill out time to enjoy the sights along the way.
There you have it, folks
Hopefully this answers everything you weren’t quiet sure about on electric vehicles! They’re certainly not the cars of the future – they’re the cars of today!
