Malaysia Green Technology Corp (GreenTech Malaysia)’s plans to bring the Tesla Model S to Malaysia and their efforts to ramp up awareness and understanding of EVs through a recent stakeholder engagement session.
Yet many of us still have questions and doubts about EVs.
As we gear up for a shift to electric mobility in Malaysia, it is perhaps timely to get the facts rights.
Mohamed Azrin
Myth 1: EVs are just a fad
Fact: EV sales are booming; annual sales have skyrocketed by 1,002% from under 10,000 units in 2010 to over 300,000 units in 2014, and there are now over 665,000 electric cars worldwide.
Major automotive players are storming the EV market resulting in over 50 different electric car models for customers to choose from.
Globally, EV initiatives have generated over RM57.8bil in investments on EV infrastructure, fiscal incentives, research and development since 2008.
Myth 2: With a limited driving range, EVs can’t get me to my destination
Fact: It will get you to your destination. The typical EV can travel around 120km to 160km on a single charge. For most motorists, this is more than enough as the average travel is only 65 km a day.
In fact, the top of the line, Tesla Model S has a driving range of over 440km per full charge.
Besides, with the 38 existing charging stations and another 300 expected across the country by 2016 led by GreenTech Malaysia, the fear of not being able to recharge EVs will be a thing of the past.
Myth 3: Charging EVs is cumbersome
Fact: Reports note that over 83% of charging actually takes place at home, either overnight or when the EV is not in use – much like your handphone.
All you need to charge most EVs is your power socket.
Utilising the charging dock, which is standard in most EVs, a full charge would take just two to eight hours. Also, with more shopping centres and offices offering EV charging bays, EV owners can enjoy even more freedom by letting their cars charge up (for free!) while they go about their daily tasks.
Myth 4: EVs are a niche or luxury item not meant for your average motorist
Fact: Many countries have adopted policies that lower the price of EVs through subsidies, tax and duty exemptions and discounts, as new technology inevitably comes at a marginally higher cost.
Furthermore, advancing technology has seen battery price (the largest contributor to the production cost) fall by an average of 14% per-annum.
As market penetration and production volume increases, overall cost for EVs will also fall.
EVs also offer immense long-term savings for users. GreenTech Malaysia estimates that every time you use an EV you stand to save 69% on fuel cost and 64% on maintenance cost as compared to a conventional car.
Greentech's fleet of electric vehicles on trial use. They include the Renault Zoe and Twizy, Nissan LEAF and Mitsubishi i-MiEV. The Tesla Model S will soon join the demo line-up.
Myth 5: EVs aren’t better for the environment
Fact: EVs are actually significantly better for the environment as they typically have zero tailpipe emissions as compared to conventional cars which have 150g CO2/km and above of emissions.
Power plants use fossil fuels more efficiently than an internal combustion engine.
As such, charging EVs using power generated even from a coal/combined cycle power plant would produce less emissions as compared to a conventional car.
EVs can also draw electricity from renewable resources such as solar panels, offering an almost completely carbon free transportation option.
Myth 6: EVs are dangerous
Fact: To be road–worthy, all EVs have to go through the same assessments that a conventional car would. As such, they come equipped with the standard array of safety features which make them just as safe.
In fact, the Tesla Model S received the highest scores in all categories of the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tests, making it one of the safest vehicles in the world. Also, EVs do not haul flammable fuel that pose serious fire risks during accidents.
Furthermore, with battery packs located at the bottom of the car, the entire bonnet section acts as an extended crumple zone providing greater protection during head-on collisions.
Myth 7: EVs are slow and boring
Fact: Far from it, many will attest that EVs actually provide greater driving pleasure than any conventional car.
With no gears or pistons, EVs provide an incomparably smooth ride. Torque is instantaneous and acceleration is effortless.
On average, EVs can drive up to about 140kph going from zero to 100kph in 8 seconds.
Meanwhile, the top of the line Tesla Model S has a top speed of 210kph going from zero to 100kph in under 5 seconds, rivalling the acceleration of the world’s top super cars. -- MOHAMED AZRIN MOHAMED ALI
> Mohamed Azrin Mohamed Ali is the vice-president (green catalyst) of the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia). Prior to joining GreenTech Malaysia, he was the head of the Green Technology Department at Tenaga Nasional.
