The Australian driving public has a new electric vehicle on the market to review and test drive. Retailing at around $50,000, it’s the cheapest electric car in the country.
The Korean made Hyundai IONIQ electric vehicle paves the way for a new generation of comfortable and affordable Australian EVs.
According to the respected Motoring magazine, the IONIQ electric car is extremely quiet to drive and also great for stop-start city traffic. That’s because you reach peak ‘pulling power’ the minute you press the accelerator.
Three Hyundai IONIQ models with different power trains
Three versions of the Hyundai IONIC are currently available in Australia.
- IONIQ Hybrid. This car runs mostly on petrol. Simultaneous use of engine and motor boosts fuel efficiency however. It also features regenerative braking.
- IONIQ Plug-In Hybrid. This combines an electric battery and conventional 1.6L petrol engine to reach an output of 104 kW. The petrol engine kicks in to support longer journeys.
- IONIQ Electric. This pure EV features an 88 kW electric motor combined with a 28 kWh battery.
Electric Vehicle Council calls for EV RET
The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) is calling for a renewable energy target (RET) for electric vehicles in Australia.
According to the EVC, a 50 per cent EV sales target would dramatically reduce harmful fuel emissions. Price is an issue with EVs, and now that this cheapest electric car option is available, that may drive market share upwards.
This could therefore prevent up to 2,000 deaths and save 41 Mt of CO2 emissions by 2030 the EVC claims.
It would also match Australian Labor’s pledge to introduce a 50 per cent RET by 2030. This would boost renewables like solar power.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten will also set up a solar battery rebate program if elected in the 2019 general election.
Fast charging stations for cheapest electric car
The Hyundai IONIQ EV travels around 230 kilometres between recharges. It’s therefore important to plan ahead when driving. However, a $15 million network of 21 super-fast charging stations is being built along major Australian driving routes.
Chargefox is building stations between Brisbane and Adelaide, also around Sydney and Melbourne.
This means EV drivers can charge their vehicles in around 15 minutes. No more than 200 kilometres will exist between charging points – perfect for the IONIQ.
Meanwhile, solar panel systems can also be used to charge EVs at home. Adding home batteries like the Tesla Powerwall means cars can be charged cheaply overnight using the day’s stored solar energy.
