Whether your thinking about getting your very first electric vehicle or you are ready for an upgrade, understanding your options and what it means for daily life is important. Many car companies are shifting from petrol-based models to the eco-friendly electric vehicle.
Is an EV Right for You? Know Your Range Needs
When considering if an EV is right for you, understanding your needs when it comes to driving range is often the most important consideration for most EV buyers. While “range anxiety” has received a lot of headlines, the reality on the road is that most people rarely travel beyond the range of a full battery charge. Of course, knowing your driving habits and needs, and understanding the realities of battery electric vehicles is critical to making the right choice for your circumstance.
Know Your Kilowatt Hours or kWh
Similar to categorizing how many kilometers per liter a vehicle gets is the equivalent information but in kilowatt hours (an amount of electrical charge) as opposed to petrol liters. This is a measure of efficiency and factors into what range will ultimately be based on the size of the battery in the vehicle you choose combined with driving factors. Just like a petrol tank, if you drive aggressively with fast acceleration, you’ll burn more fuel. Batteries are also more sensitive to cold weather conditions, so that is a practical factor to keep in mind if you plan to do a lot of cold temp driving.
Driving Range with an EV
Driving range is basically what it sounds like; how far can an electric vehicle travel with the battery on full charge before needing to be charged again. Range is calculated by dividing the amount of energy in the batteries (kWh) by the efficiency of the vehicle (kWh/kilometer), similar to fuel consumption per kilometer in a petrol or diesel vehicle. It is important to take into consideration that, like liters per 100 kilometers, these numbers are general and outside elements should be taken into consideration such as how the vehicle is driving, weather, and other external factors.
Charging Your EV Across New Zealand
Contrary to common opinion, charging an EV is not that hard. New Zealand has a vast and continuously expanding electric vehicle charging network, so you’re never too far from a recharge. The key practical consideration is how quickly your vehicle will charge. This, of course, depends on the vehicle and battery technology within it, and not all EV’s are created equally when it comes to charging capabilities. Hyundai have pioneered some of the world’s leading rapid-charge technology and flagship models like the Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 5 can charge at 350kW/800v (with a compatible charging station), going from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes.
What are some EV Options in New Zealand?
Hyundai now offers a wide range of fully electric vehicles as well as hybrids. For the purpose of this article, we will be focusing on the fully electric models. These include the Ioniq, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Kona EV.
IONIQ EV Series II
Driving Range: 311 km
Charge Time: 57 minutes
After its launch in 2017, this sporty ride quickly became New Zealand’s number 1 selling fully electric vehicle on the market. This zero emissions midsize SUV comes complete with fully electric powertrain, 300km+ driving range and only a 57 minute charge time. It truly is the future of mobility.
IONIQ 5 EV
Driving Range: 481 km
Charge Time: 57 minutes
The Ioniq original series was so popular Hyundai wanted to add to its legacy by creating the Ioniq Ev 5. Not only is this vehicle zero emissions, protecting the environment was taking into consideration in every part of the vehicle. The carpet and seat covers are made from extracted sugar cane, the interior is made with eco-processed leather and yarn, and bio paint was used throughout the vehicle making the IONIQ 5 less reliant on oil-based products. IONIQ 5 marks the beginning of a new era of clean mobility for Hyundai.
IONIQ 6 EV
Driving Range: 614 km
Charge Time: 25 minutes
Not to brag but the IONIQ 6 has been named World Car of the Year for 2023! The stylish exterior and functional features also landed it the award as World Electric Vehicle and World Car Design of the Year. The two main features that people love the most are the impressive 614 km driving range and the ability to charge from 10-80% in approximately 25 minutes. Performance did not take a back seat either with a top speed of 185km/h and a powerful acceleration that reaches 100km/h in as low as 5.1 seconds.* This car truly has it all.
Kona EV
Driving Range: 484 km
Charge Time: 65 minutes
The Kona Electric Series II is a valued addition to the Hyundai EV family. The midsize SUV does not sacrifice style and modern technology at the expense of zero emissions, it has it all! It is the perfect daily commute electric vehicle with 484 km driving range and advanced safety features.