Hidden cost of owning an electric vehicle drivers should be aware of

EVs are a booming market in Australia as drivers look to not only reduce their emissions and be kinder to the increasingly fragile environment but save money at the petrol pump too. This attacks two huge issues being faced globally at the moment - the climate and cost of living crises respectively.

Of course, as with any growing trend, there have been some teething problems. Notably with more and more EVs hitting the road, there are concerns that the number of charging stations available isn't enough.

This is something I've been experiencing firsthand as I've been driving an MG4 XPOWER (loaned generously by MG Australia) for the last few weeks, as I explore whether adding an EV to my driveway is something I am ready to commit to.

Hidden costs of EVs

While I have been having a blast testing out all of the fun features the MG4 has to offer (and there are quite a few!) I have found a hidden cost of driving an EV that I was not expecting.

That cost? Time.

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While our other car is no friend to the environment (one of the many reasons I wanted to get an EV), it is quick to fill up at the petrol station. It's also bloody expensive with a full tank setting us back around $400 depending on the price at the pump.

My XPOWER is free to charge for the first 7kWh at Jolt charging stations - which are the ones closest to my house. However, with only two close to where I live, it can be tricky to show up at a time when they are not already in use. And given people's habit of plugging their car in and walking away to do errands (a great perk of having an EV, I must admit) it's not like you can ask them how long they will be.

Having found the chargers occupied on more than one occasion I got a paid Jolt account which, for $10 a month, gives you 10kWh and allows you to reserve a charger of your choice, giving you ten minutes to get there and plug in before your reservation is released.

Problem facing EV drivers

However, it is a time-consuming practice. Leaving the MG4 on a Jolt charger for an hour will typically only get me about 30-35% extra charge - and considering I am usually down to my last 10% or so by the time I can get to a charger, this means I am never leaving the charging station with a full battery. If I plug in at home, 5 hours can sometimes only increase the charge by 5% or so. I've yet to try other chargers that may be faster so the speed, at least, could be an easy-to-fix problem.

I should note, this is not a problem that is specific to the MG4 XPOWER and it's also certainly not a discouragement to anyone who is thinking of jumping on the EV train and purchasing one. It is merely a reminder that when it comes to EV infrastructure, we still have a ways to go so you need to be better organised than I am and get to a charger in good time and then have the time to spare so you can get the most charge possible - something I, personally, have been struggling with.

Helpful feature of MG4 XPOWER

Having said this, one of the features I have found so useful with the XPOWER is its energy recovery mode that will ensure the car uses the bare minimum of energy necessary to perform its functions. This handy feature, coupled with ECO mode (you can also choose from Sport, Custom, Normal and Snow) has meant that I have made it home from work more than once on less than 10% charge because it improves the vehicle's range. The digital display will also tell you how many km you can travel before you're stranded with a dead battery and a boot full of regrets.

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While the situation with EV chargers may not be resolved any time soon (although fingers crossed it is!) I have to say I am finding the financial savings to be a huge benefit of driving the MG4 XPOWER and I am also very much enjoying the lack of guilt I feel compared to my other far less eco-friendly car.

My hope is that if more of us buy electric vehicles, the infrastructure will have no choice but to meet the demand. In the meantime, drive safe - and be better organised than I am.

Yahoo Lifestyle thanks MG Australia for the generous loan of an MG4 XPOWER to test drive.

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