The first 400km-plus range
EV we received was the
Jaguar I-PACE, an SUV with an MPV demeanour.
Jaguar got it on the money; 294kW, AWD, that 470km claimed range. Plus the car came with other serious hi-tech, like remote starting/ locking/ cooling, and its own app and others. It certainly shifted the goal posts quite significantly in the local
EV game. At launch
Jaguar Land Rover SA sold 70 units of
I-PACE. We had some people drive it 600km from Johannesburg to Durban, charging halfway at JLR’s public charger in Harrismith, just off the N3. The
I-PACE proved that advanced EVs could drive long distances if the infrastructure was set up correctly. You can charge the
I-PACE from close to 0% to 100% at home in 10 hours, or at a Grid Cars/ JLR fast charger for two hours. And it will only cost about R230 at today’s rates.
Porsche then decided it was time for the
Taycan to enter the South African market. Their first mass produced
EV,
Taycan is currently outselling the likes of
Panamera and
911 globally. With hi-performance as its main selling point, the
Taycan is obviously also a practical daily, 4-door, 5-seater family sedan with a normal boot. While the
Turbo S model can hit 0 – 100km/h in just 2.9 seconds, the entry-level
Taycan does the same sprint in 5 seconds, but gives a good real-life range of over 400km.
BMW has now returned with even more verve, thanks to the new
iX,
i4 and
iX3 ranges. The
iX is a large SUV with up to 600km of range and more power than an
M4 Coupe. I have seen it win drag races against the bigger
X7. While the
iX divides opinion with its looks, one could say it has moved the
EV game forward and is now the segment benchmark. The
iX3 is essentially an electric-powered
X3. As for the
i4, it is pretty much an electric 3/4 Series, meaning coupe-like looks, 4 doors and seating space for five.
MINI currently sells the cheapest
EV in the country called the
Cooper SE, with a limited real life range of 150km.
Audi has not been sitting by on the side lines with the
EV game either, introducing a range of
EVs recently. Their cars are called
e-tron and carry different monikers thereafter, depending on the size, type etc. For example, the
e-tron GT is a 4-door coupe with the same DNA as the
Taycan, while the e-tron
Sportback is a sporty SUV. These cars are very pretty to look at, well-equipped with all the latest tech from
Audi. But in terms of range, they are lagging behind major competitors.
Audi is rolling out a network of 70 chargers across the country, including on major freeways and roads.
The most important consideration for potential
EV buyers is driving range. Most just want to know that their cars will be able to get them from A – Z without going flat and stopping on the road. So here are a few tips to assist on that front:
• Look for an
EV to suit your personal needs. If you drive less than 100km per day, all current
EVs will suit you.
• Read and watch credible video reviews extensively. Range is often exaggerated by the manufacturers, simply because we all have different driving styles and drive in different environments.
• Spend wisely.
EVs are expensive to buy, but not to maintain. Aim for one that will last you for some years to come.
• All our
EVs come with a portable charger that you can plug into your home socket and charge overnight.
Treat your
EV like your smart phone; plug it in at every chance you can get, including at work where charging points are available.
• Keep in mind that some portable
EV chargers do not work with extension cords. Ask your salesperson if the one supplied with your target car does work.
• For about R20 000 extra, most manufacturers also offer to install a wall charger at your home.
• Download your
EV’s app into your phone so that you can monitor things like charging times remotely. Apps also list available public chargers in your area, etc.
• Air conditioning does affect the range, so keep that in mind at all times.
• Most public chargers take about two hours, some more, to fill your
EV up to 100%. But an 80% charge can take less, so do not wait until the car is at less than 20%.
• Plan properly for longer trips, even with
EVs with over 300km of range. You may be highly inconvenienced to find another person charging at the station you were eyeing, or find the charger not even
working at all. Phone your dealership or the service provider to ensure there are working chargers along your planned route ahead of time.
• Be careful when accelerating from standstill.
EVs respond instantaneously and can therefore catch one, or fellow drivers, by nasty surprise on the roads.
