Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EV?
An EV (electric vehicle) is an automobile that is propelled by one or more electric motors, powered by electrical energy stored in rechargeable batteries or another energy storage device.
How long does it take to charge an EV?
From absolutely drained it will take about 8 hours to charge your EV to Full at home with a 2.2kW power supply. At a 50kW Rapid charge station it will take about 30mins (enough time for a coffee!) to an 80% charge. We find our EV’s are very rarely charged from empty and we simply plug them in once home and charge over night, or if needed top up at work or at a Rapid charger on route. Level 2 Charges are often found in public places like shopping malls with preferential parking and you can expect to achieve an 80% capacity charge in about 2 hours.
Where can I charge my EV?
Other than at your own home or workplace, there is an ever increasing public charge network in New Zealand with over 350 charge points listed on the popular plugshare.com site and the super convenient plugshare app! At the moment there are numerous free rapid charge stations around the country and also a large number of pay per charge options where you can achieve an 80% charge in about 30minutes.
How much will it cost to charge my EV?
Charging your EV at home will cost approximately $3.00 from completely drained to 100% Full, depending on your energy provider and time of charging. The majority of public Rapid Charges and Type 2 Charges are currently free and charging at a pay per charge Rapid Charger will cost 25c / minute + 25c / kWh.
Is an EV a suitable family car?
Absolutely! We have a range of vehicles from small city runabouts like the Mitsubishi i-Miev to the larger Nissan Leaf that will comfortably fit 5 Adults plus luggage in the generous boot. We also have a 7 Seat EV option with the Nissan e-NV200 Combi and a 4x4 SUV alternative with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV so there is an EV for every family, big or small!
Do I have to service my EV?
Unlike a traditional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) powered vehicle there is no oil to change, no filters to replace, no sparkplugs or glowplugs and no costly transmission servicing! Less moving parts in the drivetrain (only 20 vs. 2,000 in ICE Cars!) means less maintenance and less chance of component wear and failure. We do encourage our EV owners to visit us for an annual EV health check where we rotate tyres, check brake pads, inspect suspension components and complete a battery diagnostic. This is normally scheduled for the same time that your WOF (Warrant of Fitness) is due.
How long will the battery last?
From our experience (and from other EV drivers around the world who have travelled in excess of 150,000kms in Electric Vehicles) as batteries get older they continue to function but range is reduced so for example when new you might have been able to achieve 160kms from a charge and after 5 years and 80,000kms your range might be down to 120kms. As battery technology advances over the next 2 – 5 years replacement batteries will be available at a reduced cost. We already have companies working on renewing and replacing individual lithium cells in battery packs, meaning increased range in older EV’s. For increased piece of mind GVI Electric offers our tailor made EV Battery and Component Warranty that will cover you in the event of any mechanical or battery failure.
What sort of range can I expect from my EV?
All EV’s offer a different expected range with individual driving style and terrain conditions also impacting on actual achieved range. Smaller city EV’s like the Mitsubishi i-Miev will achieve about 80kms per charge with the 30kw Nissan Leaf achieving 200km+ per charge. More expensive EV’s like the Tesla S have an expected range of 350kms+ and benefit from a much larger battery. With battery technology advancing rapidly we expect to see EV range exceed the 500km+ per charge with battery upgrades available for older EV’s increasing their range and useful life.
Does an Electric Vehicle feel the same to drive as a Petrol / Diesel Vehicle?
To quote Nissan Leaf owner Mark “No it's far superior. It makes my Mercedes diesel feel like a dinosaur.” Driving an EV is like driving the future! Electric motors provide instant torque meaning as soon as you push the accelerator you get instant power! With no transmission there is no lag meaning super smooth acceleration! Also there is no noise! Electric motors are very quiet so EV’s are not only fun to drive but are a very peaceful place to be and provide a relaxing environment no matter where you are driving! We like to call it “Guilt Free Grunt!” – No paying for fuel, No harming the environment and No stress!
What is the difference between an EV a Hybrid Vehicle and a PHEV?
An EV is powered purely by an electric motor(s)
A Hybrid is powered by a combination of both Electric and ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Motors with the electric batteries being charged by the ICE engine and regenerative braking
A PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) is powered by a combination of both Electric and ICE Motors with the electric batteries being charged by the ICE engine and regenerative braking, but also charged by plugging in to a charge point. Like 100% EV’s, PHEV’s can run for extended distance in pure EV mode without relying on an ICE engine for recharge.
How does driving an EV help the environment?
Unlike ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) powered vehicles, Electric Vehicles produce no exhaust gasses so release no harmful chemicals into our environment. They also don’t require oil for engine lubrication so without fuel and oil there is less reliance on fossil fuels creating less demand for the plundering of earths natural resources.
