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More Australians are embracing electric vehicles for home and work. It’s easier than ever to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle. In fact, with new vehicles launching every year, you’ll be amazed at what’s out there for your budget and lifestyle. If you’re ready to join the thousands of happy EV drivers across Australia, Angle Auto Finance can help you unlock the benefits of going electric.

EV made EZ

Innovations in how we harness, and store energy has changed the way we get around. Battery technology is improving year on year. EVs and EV infrastructure continue to grow. Now, more individuals and businesses are seriously considering EV transportation as a viable solution for getting from A to B. If you're considering an EV, we're here to help break down the benefits, how they work and what to expect when getting behind the wheel.  

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What does EV actually mean?

EV stands for Electric Vehicle. One that's powered entirely or mostly by electricity, rather than a standard combustion engine. Seems simple enough. However, when it comes to drawing power, there are a few types of EVs around.

Here are the main variants you’re likely to find.

  • Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are your fully electric variants, solely powered by a battery and what most people think of when they refer to an EV. No petrol necessary.
  • Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have a traditional petrol combustion engine that you’d fill the normal way, but also an electric motor and a battery. Driving the car charges the battery, so you get a little of both worlds.
  • Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are similar to HEVs, though as you might have guessed, need plugging in to charge. Unlike HEVs, these cars can usually be driven in electric-only mode and cover much farther distances.
  • fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have an electric motor that uses a hydrogen-powered fuel cell, when powering your car, emits zero greenhouse gases — just water vapour and air.

Why buy an EV?

Whether it’s cost, lower emissions or even design aesthetics — there are plenty of reasons to buy an EV. Many believe it’s the future of motoring in Australia, and as the market grows, so does the infrastructure that supports it. Making it easier than ever to get into an electric vehicle.

According to sources like the Green Vehicle Guide, there are a range of benefits to going electric, including:

About Angle Auto Finance
About Angle Auto Finance

Watts the deal: how charging works

Charging your EV is a safe and efficient process that takes energy from the grid, or your home’s supply, and feeds it to your vehicle’s battery.

Just take your car to an EV charging station, also known as Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), plug it in, and wait until your battery is full.

Charging can be done at home, work, or at public charging stations across the country. These are found at selected service stations and car parks – with more charging locations being added every year.

The thing to remember is that EV chargers in Australia have different levels. And like our personal devices, you need to factor in the time it takes to charge your car.

  • Level 1: Around 1 hour for 10-20km
    AC charging is simply plugging your vehicle into an ordinary 240V AC power point in your house. It’s the slowest option, but outlets are easy to come by. Useful for a top-up while you’re out.
  •  Level 2: 1 hour = 40km
    This is the kind you’ll most often see in a wall-mounted at-home EV charger or a public charging station. Charge up at the shops or overnight.
  • Level 3: Around 1 hour for 150km
    DC charging includes ultra-rapid units like the Tesla Supercharger, mostly found in commercial premises and road-side locations.

Talking electric

When looking into EVs, you’ll find all kinds of units, terms and standards. We’ve talked about the kinds of EVs — here are a few more terms, according to NRMA.

  • Kilowatts (kw): Power output. It could refer to an EV motor or the power of a charging point.
  • Kilowatts per hour (kWh): Battery capacity, or how much energy is being used per hour.
  • Kilowatts per 100km (kWh/100km): The amount of energy used every 100km. This is the equivalent of petrol litres per 100km (L/100km).
  • Internal combustion engine (ICE): The fossil fuel-powered engine of traditional motor vehicles.
  • Type 1 plug (J1772): An older standard single-phase five-pin plug with an average charge rate of 1kW.
  • Type 2 plug (Mennekes): The kind of plug you’ll find on many new EVs, with a rate from 2.2kW up to 22kW.
  • Combined charging system combo 2 (CCS 2): A common high-power charger that originated in Europe and gives up to 350kW.
  • CHAdeMO: Another 350kW fast-charging standard, but this one is for Japanese-built cars only.

Lightning-fast charging FAQ

How long will it take to charge my EV?
It depends on the source. Different charging stations have different speeds and power outputs. Vehicles also differ in battery size and accepted rate of charge. As a ballpark, you can divide the size of your battery (kWh) by the power you’re charging with (kW).

For example, to fully charge a 75kWh battery from a 3.7kW source should take about 20 hours.

Do I need to use a specific charger?
Yes, for the most part— certain manufacturers, like Tesla, use specific plugs. However, many use a Combined Charging System (CCS) DC plug, which is standardised.

What happens if I overcharge my EV?
You can’t! Like your phone, your vehicle will automatically stop charging when the battery is full and maintain that charge until it’s unplugged.

What’s a charge going to cost me?
That depends on your battery and where you’re charging up. Whilst some public chargers are free others can cost up to 63c per kWh while at home it’s between 24c to 30c per kWh. The good news is, according to the Electric Vehicle Council, you’re usually better off than if you were filling up with petrol and diesel.

About Angle Auto Finance
About Angle Auto Finance

Are EVs cheaper to own?

It varies between vehicle manufacturer, but with EVs becoming more and more affordable, you may be surprised at what you can get within your budget.

 There are also a range of state and federal subsidies, rebates and other incentives (like zero stamp duty and lower rego fees) currently on offer for purchasing an EV. Check out the Australian Government Green Vehicle Guide for all the links and further information.

To access these incentives, you’ll probably need to work out your vehicle’s dutiable value. This just means everything you paid for it, including GST, delivery, and any extras.

It's when you look at ongoing costs that the savings really start to stack up. Australia’s Electric Vehicle Council says an EV is cheaper to power than petrol or diesel. So, depending on driving habits, government incentives, taxes and charging availability, owning an EV could be a more cost effective option.

Novated leases and FBT

Explore the Benefits of Novated Leases and FBT Exemptions for Electric Vehicles

Consider the potential advantages of novated leases and salary packaging, especially if your employer offers these benefits. With a novated lease, you can conveniently use the vehicle and cover most of its running costs directly from your pre-tax salary. Additionally, starting from July 1, 2022, eligible electric vehicles are exempt from fringe benefit tax (FBT), making novated leases an attractive option for both employees and employers.

At Angle Auto Finance, we collaborate with numerous Novated Lease providers. [1] If your employer provides novated lease salary packaging benefits, feel free to discuss arranging a novated lease with them.

Please note that the information provided here is a general overview and should be used as a guide. We strongly recommend seeking independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before taking any action. Taxation considerations are based on current laws and may change, so consulting with a professional tax advisor is recommended before making any decisions based on this information.

 

[1] Approved applicants only. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply. Finance issued by Angle Auto Finance Pty Ltd ABN 16 161 130 696 Australian credit licence 530731.

About Angle Auto Finance

You've got questions? We've got the answers.

What does EV stand for?

EV stands for electric vehicle, a vehicle powered entirely or mostly by electricity instead of a standard combustion engine.

What are the main types of electric vehicles?

The main types of electric vehicles include Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). 

How does charging an EV work?

Charging involves taking energy from the grid or your home's supply and feeding it to your vehicle's battery. Charging can be done at home, work, or public charging stations.

What are the different levels of EV chargers?

EV chargers in Australia have different levels: Level 1 (AC charging), Level 2 (common wall-mounted charger), and Level 3 (DC charging, including ultra-rapid units).

How long does it take to charge an EV?

Charging time depends on the source and varies between different charging stations. A general guideline is to divide the size of your battery (kWh) by the power you're charging with (kW).

Do I need to use a specific charger for my EV?

Yes, for the most part. Certain manufacturers may use specific plugs, but many EVs use a Combined Charging System (CCS) DC plug, which is standardized.

What happens if I overcharge my EV?

You can't overcharge your EV; it will automatically stop charging when the battery is full.

How much does charging an EV cost?

Charging costs depend on your battery and location. Public charging can cost around 60c per kWh, while at home, it's about 20c per kWh. Public chargers may be free in some instances.

Are EVs cheaper to own?

Ownership costs vary, but EVs are becoming more affordable. State and federal subsidies, rebates, and incentives can make EVs amore cost effective option relative to a petrol vehicle.

What is a novated lease for an EV?

A novated lease allows you to pay for the vehicle and most of its running costs from your salary before tax comes out.

What is the FBT exemption for electric vehicles?

As of July 1, 2022, eligible electric vehicles are exempt from Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT), making novated leases an attractive option for employers.

How can I learn more about EV options with Angle Auto Finance?

Contact your local dealer or Angle Auto Finance for more information on EV options and financing.

Where can I find more information on electric vehicles?

Check out references such as Green Vehicle Guide ( greenvehicleguide.gov.au/)and Electric Vehicle Council  (electricvehiclecouncil.com.au/)for additional information.