Opinion - I have owned an electric vehicle (EV) for two years now. There were only about five full electric models at that time that were under $68,000 - the cut-off for eligibility for the government rebate. I bought a Tesla Model 3, which took two months to arrive after ordering online. 

The learning curve was steep in the beginning, and I had a lot of questions that I found answers for by either asking other EV owners or using the help desk at Tesla. Now I would say that I am 90 per cent fluent. There is always more to learn. 

At the EV Open Day, in Kiama on 9 September I was interviewed by the ABC about what it’s like to own an EV, where I gave my opinion about the inadequacy of EV charging infrastructure.

“The fact is, charging can be an issue when you travel, as you need to plan where to stop to charge, basing this on the location of charging stations on your way, and the likely kilometres in the battery. It takes planning, unlike petrol stations that you can rely on to be where you need them. 

“Australia has a long way to go to catch up. The inadequacy of the charging station network is a complete oversight by the government in my opinion. Since EVs sales numbers have rapidly increased, it often happens that when you arrive at a charging station, there is already someone there, and maybe someone else waiting! That means that you have a long wait, or you look for somewhere else, which is not always possible if you are in a regional area.”

Here are the answers to the burning questions that I was asked, and also some advice for new EV owners:

Q: Are you concerned about where to charge when you travel? 

A: I always plan my trip so I have a few options of where I can charge. I also NEVER pass a Supercharger without topping up!

Q: How far can you go on a full battery? 

A: This is different for every make and model. My Model 3 has 420 kms on a full battery. However, it is necessary to realise that if you use a lot of heating, and a lot of high beam, those available kilometres will dwindle. Rest assured that the car’s computer will communicate with the navigation system and let you know if you are running low and need to charge in order to reach your destination. 

Q: Does it take long to learn how everything works (from the computer that runs the car)? 

A: I would say that it takes a good three months for things to become second nature, although you can drive it straight away of course – just not as fluently as when you reach the full understanding of everything it can do and how to access it.

Q: How much do you pay for a charge at a commercial supplier like EVIE, or Tesla, or NRMA?  

A: This depends on how much electricity you need. As a rule of thumb, I’d say under a quarter of the price of fuel. By the way, NRMA is currently free!

Q: Does it drive as well as all the hype?

 A: One hundred per cent. Zero to 100 in 3.3 seconds. The G-forces are amazing, but it’s rare to be able to find a place to make that happen! The acceleration is amazing, so it’s no sweat to overtake when you need to. I could go on and on, so I’ll limit to the main reason when I love my car: I have saved a bomb on fuel because I also have the trifecta: solar panels on my roof, battery wall and a fast charger in the garage, so charges are usually free – depending on sunshine and weather. 

Finally, my advice (that I wish I'd had from the start): 

Create accounts for all the various types of commercial charging stations: EVIE*, ChargeFox, Tesla*, BP Pulse, Ampol (AmpCharge), Jolt etc. NRMA*. When you have to use them, it will be quicker than having to set up on the run. *These are my favourites. 

Buy a connector cable. Mine is a Type 2 to Type 2 plug* with a strong enough cable (i.e., 22kW) so that you can use any charger: not all have the connector hoses and fittings. *If your car has a Type 1 plug, you’ll buy accordingly.

Buy a very long extension cord and keep it, and the mains plug that came with the car, plus the connector plug in the back of your car boot in case you need them when you’re not at home. I have had to run the extension cord across a lawn to reach my car when visiting friends and unable to find a commercial charger. I gave them $5, because that’s all it will cost from the grid if you charge ‘after hours’ when the tariff is low. 

Final word, I love my EV and can honestly say that I will never go back to a smelly internal combustion engine. I love the quietness of an electric car, the handling, and the fuel and maintenance cost savings as well as the ‘feel-good’ of zero emissions.