Hybrids, EVs, and the City Environment
With the big push for clean air and protecting the environment, running a new hybrid vehicle is one way to make the gradual change from fossil fuels to electric more affordable and realistic as we head into a future of EVs.
A gradual change is key, so that everyone can adjust their budgets and business direction accordingly. And making the change gradual ensures that EVs can become more affordable to the masses. Have you heard of the ‘trickle-down effect’? This term refers to the reality of fashion trends flowing from the wealthy (e.g., politicians, mayors, doctors, directors, engineers etc.) to the less well-off or the working class (e.g., factory hands, beneficiaries, shop assistants, cleaners, farm workers, etc.) in society. This trickle-down phenomenon can be related to any new consumer product, especially when these products are first introduced into the market.
At the product’s initial introduction into the marketplace, it is costly and only affordable to the wealthy, but, as the product matures, and as time goes on, its price begins to fall so that it might become more widely affordable and thus adopted by the general public and the working class. One would assume that pure EVs will follow this kind of trend.
Right now, EVs are expensive to purchase new, especially when you want to have one of the EVs with all the status (e.g., Tesla, Porsche, Mercedes Benz). There are some cheaper options like the MG ZS EV, Hyundai IONIQ electric, the Nissan Leaf, and the Hyundai Kona electric. These cars can generally be had for less than $60k.
Currently, owning and operating a 100% EV would be an ideal option if you just wanted to hop between addresses inside the city boundary or maybe commute short distances to and from the urban jungle. However, throw in some intercity travel or long country drives, and the EV is simply left wanting. I’m aware that EV manufacturers are working hard to change this, to make their EVs capable of travelling much longer distances between recharges, as well as making the recharge time much quicker than it commonly is. As it stands today, Australia’s recharging infrastructure is in its infancy, and beyond the city boundary, even inside, it still has a long way to go before becoming seamless and brief.
If you live in and mostly travel inside one of our lovely Australian cities, owning or operating a vehicle that is capable of running on electric power for all or at least some of the time (more depending on you commute or travel patterns) would surely be an option if you aren’t doing so already. This would instantly help to improve the air quality of the congested city environment.
Who wouldn’t want to enjoy breathing cleaner air inside a city’s boundaries? We all would, right? But I can’t afford an EV because (a) it’s not practical and (b) you can’t afford one? If you relate to either of these truths, then you aren’t alone and are currently in the majority. So, what about a Hybrid then? Right now, hybrid vehicles do make a lot of sense. They are able to use their small electric motor for 20–30 km of inner city travel, thus making the city air cleaner and the environment better for all city dwellers and workers. However, when the commute includes distances beyond the city boundary, the petrol motor will happily take over transport duties and to get you where you want to go, recharging the electric motor’s battery in the process.
Of course, a bicycle or even walking is another option for inner city travel, particularly when it isn’t raining. If you are wanting a Hybrid vehicle or even an EV, then do have a look at some of our Hybrid and EV reviews or talk to some of our sales staff to see if there is a likable and affordable option out there for you.
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