Hello, fellow eco-warriors! 🌿 This week, I'm talking EV's - electric vehicles - and my Tesla 3. I've had a few questions lately about what it really costs to own and run an electric vehicle. They're still pretty expensive upfront for the average householder so it's worth unpacking the benefits that come from no petrol, low to no maintenance, and sharing what that actually looks like!
But first, a quick reminder: Adding our voices, our time and our resources to advocate, educate or act for change (collective action👯) can be one of the most immensely impactful ways to fight the climate crisis. For me, collective AND individual actions still matter, especially in high-income nations like Australia, where the combined impact of our individual choices are baked into our National climate plans. Our individual actions also help us flex our "trade-off" muscles, where we weigh decisions, actions, and consequences— and can extend that muscle to our work and activism too. Every step on this journey counts!
Back to EV's🔋 and I'm talking costs (upfront and running costs), charging & usage habits and what we've learned in 7 months of ownership.
Hit me with those expenses
The outlay My Tesla 3 was around $63k driveaway. That includes all the registration, stamp fees, delivery fees, GST etc. There's no point getting excited about a GST free sticker price of $53k and then ignoring another $10k worth of fees that go into what you actually pay.
My tips if you go down the Tesla route -
Find anyone you know who owns aone to get a referral (that was $750 off for me and benefits for them),
Immediately fill in your rebate form online for the $3.5k Zero Emissions Vehicle or ZEV Rebate (just for WA but you can google it for other states), as it does take some time to get back to your bank account ¬around 6 weeks for me.
Before your car arrives, fork out $550 for your charging cable - you can do this when ordering your car or online from the Tesla app.
That ends up at $59k-ish driveaway for a standard model (no fancy white seats or coloured paint jobs). This and the white Tesla Y are becoming SUPER common in our area, so I know it's a popular choice😉 to avoid that $1,500 paint hit.
The ongoing I could say we've had no maintenance costs yet but that would ignore that I had my first scratch😢! Devastating as I love this car, but also good, as I am not being nearly so precious about anyone even breathing on it incorrectly. The touch up kit set me back $55 from Colour'n'Drive, and was easy to use and a great colour match (Tesla pearl white kit).
I am also washing it far more than my old Mitsubishi, which was lucky to get an annual car wash. A marginal expense.
Transitioning from traditional vehicles to an EV has redefined 'maintenance' for us. The electric insides don't need conventional servicing from all the wear and tear happening in the moving parts of an internal combustion counterparts. The recommended routine involves checking tire pressure, replacing the cabin air filter every 2 years, and maintaining the brake fluid every 4 years. You don't need to check tire pressure as a little warning signal will show up on the screen automatically and tell you when your tire pressure has dropped below a minimum range. So, so minimal and easy. Outrageously cheap.
It's a refreshing shift from the debilitating and frequent expenses of the escalating maintenance in the old Mitsubishi.
Charging & use
Back when we embraced the electric vehicle (EV) lifestyle, the thought of forking out extra for a hard-wired home EV charger seemed... well, excessive. After all, our mission has always been about sustainable living within our means. So, we opted for a simpler route: plugging our Tesla directly into a standard power outlet, right in the garage with an extension cord. I just don't think an upgrade to a 15A circuit is necessary for urban driving.
The ability to charge our vehicle at home, primarily using solar power, means our 'fuel costs' are virtually nothing. I do an urban commute with school drop-off and pick-up, so the distances aren't huge. My work-from-home day becomes a charging day, ensuring our Tesla is energised for the week ahead. Weekends also see some time with the car tethered to the charger, absorbing the sun's bounty, as we opt for bikes or walks for our local adventures. This matchup of convenience and sustainability is the sweet spot of urban EV living.
However - have noticed the plug getting warm😯 after a day's charge and some googling has made me realise this constant load can expose any issues you have from using old plug sockets (GPOs) or the dodgy old garage extension cord. I'll be calling a sparky to check and replace the socket, uh may also sweep up those leaves and add some hooks to the wall to keep the plug off the ground and able to cool during a long charge. I'll also stop using the extension cord - safety first! - which I can do just by backing into the garage, an easy fix.
Public Charging: A Novelty, Not a Necessity
In the seven months since our Tesla became a part of the family, public charging stations have been more of a novelty than a necessity. Our first encounter was to actually just try it (and the kids wanted to use the screen for fun), and the second time? Well, I can't even remember but the charge and location are stored in the history of our Tesla app so I know it happened. At $11 and $19 for the two fast-charge occasions its decidedly cheaper than filling the car with petrol but also unnecessary if you've got the luxury of at-home charging.
Our electric escapades have taken us on hour-long drives from home, comfortably within our Tesla's range, leaving the long-haul trips for future adventures. We're yet to venture down south to Manjimup, but our calculations promise a single charge should see us through to our friends' doorstep with charging stations in the town and surrounding towns for convenience.
A different perspective on EVs
In his book "Net Zero: How We Stop Causing Climate Change," Dieter Helm explores various pathways to reduce carbon emissions in transportation. One of his intriguing ideas is to have electric vehicles equipped with standardised, removable battery packs that can be exchanged, much like BBQ gas bottles. This approach would optimise the impact of vehicle charging on electricity infrastructure, allowing for centralised optimisation at the most opportune (renewably supported) times of the day. It would also eliminate any inconvenience for customers waiting to charge their vehicles.
Helm also advocates for expediting the shift towards autonomous (driverless) vehicles. He argues that in this paradigm, we would care less about make and model, and instead focus on standardisation and efficiency. As someone who previously didn't have a strong attachment to my car, I related to this perspective. But this isn't the majority.
These are super novel concepts, but much of the automotive industry survives on brand differentiation where cars become a status symbol, which continues to drive the increase in car ownership. Some of these concepts are also good suggestion for locations where people aren't charging at home, but in a place like Western Australia, home charging over public infrastructure will be the majority use case and so I can't see this becoming popular.
In fact, Australia has around 20.1 million registered vehicles - roughly one car for every 1.28 people (um even those not old enough to drive).
The wrap
Upfront costs $59k, running costs maybe <$100 a year bundling maintenance, electric power and the occasional fast-charge for a trip away. Expected total savings from the novated lease arrangement I'm on is around $18k over 3 years.
My old car was $10k (secondhand), lasted me 6 years and was setting me back beyond $2k and $2.8k a year on petrol and maintenance costs. So you still have to do the maths on what's right for you.
As much as I love my EV, its convenience, lower running costs and being better for the environment, I know that public transport, riding and walking are still the far more sustainable options and will need to be the bulk of my transport choices to get closer to a netzero world. 🚗💚
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