Until recently, I haven’t been able to consider an Electric Vehicle (EV), as the majority had cost upward of $40K. I accept that the scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports reduction or elimination of fossil fuel emissions, but Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles have been more cost effective and practical. My 24-year-old Toyota is remarkably frugal and comfortable for my daily 90km round-trip commute. Its primary ongoing cost is fuel, which has been rapidly increasing.
Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images
But I heard a rumour that fuel prices are expected to increase by another 30 cents a litre within weeks, which I verified with a quick web search. Coupled with significant price increases earlier this year, novated lease salary packaging, zero fringe benefits tax on EVs, and the latest EV models priced as low as $20K, far-sighted budgeting argues for a switch to electric.
This is a scenario that played out earlier this year, with consumers jumping on the EV bandwagon in response to soaring fuel prices. Sales of EV’s increased significantly, most notably in outer metropolitan suburbs, which is really where their practicalities shine stronger than their faults.
And EVs are different beasts to live with. They are like the difference between cooking with an oven and a microwave. They both heat food, but you wouldn’t cook a roast in a microwave.
They need recharging, and you can’t just carry a can of electricity to the vehicle if you run out. The process of charging requires a different mindset to filling with fuel. That’s not to say that they are too problematic. They just operate differently to ICE vehicles.
Much has been said about their battery volatility, their lack of road noise (sneaking up on unsuspecting pedestrians) and lack of range. More recently, cybersecurity has been raised as an area of concern, particularly regarding cameras, microphones and vehicle connectivity. The ABC correspondent, Angus Grigg, enlisted a cybersecurity firm to test-hack a top-selling EV, to demonstrate the level of intrusion possible. The results were eye-opening.
So, where do I stand? I am pro EV, but cyber-cautious.
If it were possible to purchase one without all the connectivity, I might be less conflicted.
Debbie Choo 
Bethany Miguel 
Tarkyn Sharples 