When I bought mine Let's EV6I didn't plan on going electric. I rented Tesla Model 3, and the experience was terrible. But my old BMW X1, with its demanding maintenance schedule and thirsty inline-6 engine, was draining my wallet. I had my eye on the Mazda CX-50, but I grabbed a used EV instead. While I've been excited since driving it home, there are things I wish I knew.
Considering an electric one? Regardless of whether you can charge your phone at home, here are the most important things I wish I knew before purchasing.
Find out the charge level
I live in an apartment with a parking space, but no electrical outlet. This means I can't install a high-voltage charging outlet, which EV owners call “Level 2.”
Level 1 is a standard three-prong household outlet. My car had an adapter for this, but it takes a few days to fully charge.
Level 2 is faster and requires a special charger (such as a dryer outlet). Most vehicles, including my 2022 Kia EV6, use what is called the J1772 port, although the industry is moving to Tesla's NACS standard. The latest version of the Kia EV6 uses the NACS system, so it works at any Tesla charging station and other compatible chargers. My car can charge in less than 8 hours using a Level 2 charger.
Level 3 uses DC power for fast charging. These are the chargers you see at bus stops; they look like larger Level 2 chargers and pump energy directly into the battery much faster. With Level 3 charging, my Kia EV6 can charge from 1% to 80% in about 20 minutes and gives me a range of 200 miles. It takes another 20 minutes to reach 100% charge.
Public charging is not free (usually)
Many people think that charging electric vehicles is free. It's not. Chargers at rest stops or shopping centers are likely from networks like Electrify America or Tesla. You pay different charging rates, just like at a gas station.
Rates vary depending on the charging network, charging speed, and even time of day. Payment is made per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
My car has a 77.4 kWh battery. If I pay $0.50 per kilowatt-hour, I would pay $38.70 to drive about 300 miles. I figure that's about the same as $4 a gallon of gas in my BMW. It's not terrible, but it's not exactly saving money.
Savings come from charging at home: The average U.S. home electricity rate is about $0.13 per kWh. Unfortunately, I don't have such an opportunity. However, I found a free charger at the local train station. It's rare, but I haven't paid for a local ride yet since I can charge for free when I park at the station.
Be prepared for application overload
Charging infrastructure is fragmented. What started with Tesla has spread to many companies such as Shell, ChargePoint and Electrify America.
Tap-to-pay chargers are less common than you might expect. Typically, you'll need to download a network-specific app to start your charging session. This means resolving network issues, errors, account settings, and subscription fees.
The first application you will need is PlugShare. It's like the Yelp for electric vehicle charging. Users report which stations actually work, how much they cost and how quickly they charge, saving you the hassle of traveling to a faulty outlet.
The 80% Rule Saves Time
Electric vehicle batteries charge very quickly to 80% and then slow down sharply to extend battery life.
This means that you should rarely charge your battery to 100% when traveling. My Kia gets 80% in 20 minutes. To reach 100%, you need another 20. It's much faster to drive 200 miles, charge for 20 minutes and get back on the road than to wait for the last 20%. I only charge to 100% when I can leave the car overnight; otherwise 80% is enough for me to move on to the next fast charger.
Trust the range (mostly)
If my car says I have 250 miles of range, I trust it—as long as I drive normally. Unlike gas cars, which are more efficient on the highway, electric cars are incredibly efficient in traffic because regenerative braking captures energy as you slow down.
However, factors such as high speeds (70+ mph) and air conditioning eat into that number. I've driven past “Empty” in my gas cars before, but I haven't taken the risk with an electric car yet.
Cold weather causes problems
My car ran optimally all summer with 300 miles on it. During the winter, things slowed down. Batteries do not tolerate cold. Suddenly my battery only promised to last 250 miles or less. If you live in a cold climate, expect your range to decrease during the winter.
Don't look for the spare tire in… the trunk?
Thanks to the massive battery underneath, my EV exceeds all expectations. I have a frank (front trunk) for storage, but I don't have a spare tire.
Every EV I've seen doesn't have a spare tire to save weight and space for the motors and batteries. If I get an apartment, I'll have to call a tow truck. As someone who knows how to change a tire, this alarmed me, but this is the new norm.
There are actually two batteries in an electric car.
When I bought the Kia EV6 I threw away the jumper cables – big mistake! Like internal combustion engine cars, my EV6 has a 12V battery up front in addition to the large high voltage battery that powers the engine. The smaller 12V battery powers the electronics, including vital systems such as the starter and charging system.
This means that if my 12V battery dies, I won't be able to start the car. I can't even charge my car. Usually this is not a problem, but I would like to know about it in advance. Additionally, checking my vehicle's functions remotely using the Kia app drains my battery. It also has problems in very cold weather, like most 12V car batteries. I already needed a boost, a chore I vowed to leave behind when I went electric.
The speed is real (and it eats the tires)
My Kia EV6 isn't the fastest GT trim, but in Sport mode the acceleration throws me into the seat. Electric motors provide instant torque, making them feel faster than gasoline cars off the assembly line. Even my father, who owned small BMW and MGB roadsters back in the day, was impressed by the pickup.
A plus is low operating costs – never needing an oil change. Flaw? This instant torque shreds the tires. Because electric cars are heavy and accelerate quickly, you'll run through your tires faster than you'd expect. Rotate them religiously.
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