With high inflation currently affecting all aspects of daily life, is switching to electric mobility a realistic way to reduce car-related costs?
According to Juice Technology, a manufacturer of charging stations and software for electric vehicles, there is no doubt that driving an electric car and switching to electric mobility is cheaper than driving a gasoline or diesel vehicle, and this despite the costs of persistent purchases (depending on the car model) and energy prices.
This is also supported by LeasePlan’s latest car cost index, which shows that driving an electric car can reduce lifetime costs by 20% to 27% compared to a petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicle .
An electric car can reduce lifetime costs by 20% to 27%
What makes driving an electric car cheaper than any other?
Efficiency reduces costs
Electric propulsion is much more energy efficient than endothermic propulsion. This means you can get around in a battery powered car for less money.
Consequently, as fuel and electricity prices rise, the cost per kilometer of an electric car will increase, but to a lesser extent than that of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine.
Flexibility with electric mobility saves money
The price of uploading varies, mostly due to upload speed, and there are also differences between public and private networks. What you pay at charging stations is dictated by the rates but also by the technology. For example, ultra-fast DC charging costs more per kWh than slower AC charging. Juice Technology believes that a combination of charging technologies is the best way to save money and make electric mobility a more viable option. In particular, the flexibility of portable chargers helps make costs more affordable.
The advantage of portable charging is that you can access electricity from any outlet. So when you travel, you don’t always have to detour to an ultra-fast DC station, instead you can charge more cheaply by plugging into an AC outlet at a campsite, hotel, home or anywhere . I planned to stop. And if you charge your car during your stay, you won’t waste time as the car charges while parked.
Less to repair means less to spend
Although more affordable models are coming to market, most BEVs still have a higher purchase price. However, this initial expense is offset by lower operating and maintenance costs.
An electric car engine has fewer parts than a gasoline or diesel engine. This makes it more reliable and less prone to wear. Second, the electric motor does not require any replenishment or replacement of fluids, such as engine oil. Finally, the battery life of an electric car is much longer than that of a conventional battery. It is not measured in years but in load cycles.
How many times can a battery be recharged while maintaining a good level of efficiency?
Well, the current estimate is 3,000 charge cycles for a Tesla Model S. Every 500 charge cycles, the battery experiences a 10% drop in efficiency. This means the batteries can maintain up to 90% efficiency after 93,000 miles and 80% efficiency after 187,000 miles, based on an electric car range of 187 miles.
According to leading price comparison sites, maintenance costs, i.e. the average total cost of maintaining and repairing an electric vehicle, are up to 40% lower than other types of vehicles.
The average total cost of maintaining and repairing an electric vehicle is up to 40% lower than other types of vehicles
It benefits both employees and businesses
Companies can offer workplace charging as a social benefit and provide free electricity to employees. Not only does this offer financial savings to employees, but it also allows them to switch to an electric vehicle even if they don’t have a charging facility at home. At the same time, companies can make an important contribution to electric mobility, making journeys more sustainable and thus fulfilling their environmental responsibilities. Vehicles can also be powered with carbon-free energy by installing photovoltaic systems or using sustainable and co-generated hydropower.
The incorporation of renewable energy into the charging concept also allows the company access to public subsidies and, where appropriate, tax savings. This is a win-win situation for both employees and employers. At Juice Technology’s headquarters, all-electric cars are already being charged for free with electricity generated from hydropower.
Use your own energy
Charging your electric car with a photovoltaic system makes electric mobility even more convenient. That is why the increasing use of photovoltaic panels in both the residential and commercial sectors is favoring the integration of solar energy systems and electric vehicle charging equipment.
The possibility of recharging vehicles using the excess energy produced by domestic photovoltaic systems allows users to optimize consumption, which in turn means significant cost savings. To successfully integrate the PV system into the home energy management system, the wall charger must be equipped with a back-end that supports online management of the device.
In addition to saving money, you’ll also save time by getting used to charging your car wherever you leave it for extended periods. This can be at home during the night or at work. Make the most of the time your car is stationary. No need to make a separate trip to the gas station, as was necessary with the internal combustion engine.
