What Exactly is an EV?
To put it simply, EV stands for electric vehicle. When you think about EV’s, you are
probably thinking of a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), an automobile that runs purely on electricity and uses a
rechargeable battery to power an electric motor.
Yet there are actually several types of electrified powertrains available on the market today. BEV’s, as
mentioned, are fully electric, yet there are also vehicles that combine an electric motor with a conventional
internal combustion engine to create a Hybrid. Hyundai is currently the only manufacturer to offer all major
electrified powertrains in production cars: Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV),
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
How and where do I charge?
When it comes to charging your EV, your options will depend on how developed the charging
infrastructure is where you live.
Depending on your grid connection at home or the type of public charging station you have access to, electric
vehicles like the KONA Electric give you flexible possibilities for charging.
When charging at home, you’ll need to have the option to park off the street, although on-street charging is
available in an increase. For home charging, many drivers of electric vehicles choose to have a wall-mounted
charging point installed at home for faster charging vs. a normal wall socket. Depending on your country of
residence, you might be eligible for government grants to help with the costs of installation. Once your home
charging station is installed, you can plug your EV in overnight, and wake up to a fully charged battery.
How long does it take to charge?
Charging times for EVs depend on a range of factors, such as what kind of connection you
have access to and the size of the battery, as well as the outside temperature and a range of external factors.
In general, there are two types of charging: normal alternating current (AC) charging and fast direct current
(DC) charging. Normal AC charging is typically less energy-intensive and therefore much slower than fast
charging. When you charge at home using a conventional plug, or sometimes when you plug into publically
available street charging, you will be using AC. Fast charging can be completed in under an hour and is
typically only found at public charging stations. Take the Hyundai KONA Electric for example: when plugged into
a 100kW DC fast charging station, 54 minutes is all it takes to get to 80% state of charge.
How much do I pay for charging?
The cost of charging your EV depends on quite a few variables. For example, where you
live, who is the energy provider, where you charge and what kind of EV you have.
Nevertheless, you can rest assured that the cost you pay to your electricity provider to recharge your EV is
likely to be considerably less than it would be to fill up a conventional automobile with petrol. And don’t
forget: many towns and shops offer free charging at reserved EV parking spaces.
The base price of electricity is set by the country you live in and the energy provider. Individual European
countries have their own tariffs on electricity use and the cost per kWh (kilowatt-hour) can vary slightly
depending on the provider.
How far can I drive?
Just as there is a range of factors that affect an ICE’s fuel efficiency, the total electric driving range will
be affected by the size of the battery, your driving style, the outside temperature, any passengers you are
carrying and more.
With the largest battery option, the KONA Electric has a total range of 449km (WLTP). That’s enough to get you
from Frankfurt to Munich, or from Florence to Rome.
Planning a road trip with an EV? If you are driving a full-electric vehicle, it’s important to plan your route
ahead of time, so you can have a nice cup of coffee at a rest stop that has high-speed DC Fast charging
stations. And to make it easy, on-board systems like Hyundai’s Live Services show you real-time charging station
information such as location, connector types, and availability so you can find a charge quickly and easily.
The IONIQ Plug-in can drive about 50 kilometres on electric power alone before switching over to
the petrol engine, more than the average European commute!
How does it feel to drive?
It feels fun! First of all, BEVs are typically equipped with a single-speed reduction
gear, so there’s no more shifting. As a result, the ride is smooth and silent and the response is almost
instantaneous.
Secondly, EVs feel surprisingly fast. Just because you don’t have a 6 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine on
board that doesn’t mean that EVs are slow. BEVs deliver instant torque and impressive acceleration. Despite the
extra weight a battery brings, BEVs are quick off the line and deliver a smooth and constant acceleration.
Although fast and powerful, EVs drive very quietly. There is still noise from the tyres on the road and the wind
rushing around the car, but on electric-power alone, they are comparatively quiet. This results in a peaceful
and relaxing driving experience.
When it all comes down to it, an EV is still an automobile. There is nothing scary or difficult about driving
one. If you can drive a conventional automobile, you can drive an EV.
How much should an EV cost?
Although the initial purchase price of an EV is typically more expensive than your
average automobile, there is much more to consider when determining the overall cost of owning an EV.
Depending on where you live, you might benefit from government incentives or tax breaks when purchasing an EV.
Many European countries have programs in place to make EVs more affordable.
You also need to consider the cost of maintenance in your calculation of the total cost of owning an EV. With a
BEV, although the initial purchase price can seem significantly higher, the maintenance cost over the lifespan
of the vehicle can be lower than a conventional automobile. ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles have a
higher number of components that wear and tear over time, potentially leading to costly repairs. BEVs, on the
other hand, use fewer consumable parts, reducing the need for replacement.
Like every Hyundai, our HEV, PHEV and BEV models enjoy a 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty. On top of that, the
high-performance lithium-ion polymer battery inside is warranty protected for 8 years or 160,000 km, whichever
comes first.
Can I save money by driving an EV?
While the environmental benefits of driving an EV are clear, there can be financial
benefits too.
Improvements in technology, growing demand, and government support have made owning an EV good for the
environment and your wallet at the same time!
The financial benefits of owning an EV will vary greatly depending on where in Europe you live. As climate
change and environmental protection have become a key talking point across Europe and the world, politicians
have put policies into place to address this. Some governments are further along than others. For example, in
France, residents can receive a grant of up to 10,000 € from the government and in Germany of up to 6,000 € for
the purchase of a BEV.