Electric or “EV” vehicles as they are also known, are the replacement vehicles for the internal combustion engine. (Petrol and diesel powered cars)
The two types of electric vehicles that Fabcar specialises in are Used Nissan LEAF and New / Demo Tesla vehicles for sale in Perth.
Having won multiple global awards including “Car of the year” award in Japan, 2011/12 and selling over 400,000 units Worldwide to date.
The Nissan LEAF is available in 4 main variants..
2013-2016 AZE0 (24kwh) – AVAILABLE at Fabcar
2016 -2017 AZE0 (30kwh) – AVAILABLE at Fabcar
2018+ ZE1 (40kwh) – AVAILABLE at Fabcar
The Nissan LEAF is the industry’s best selling electric vehicle for good reason. Their practical and spacious hatchback design enables passengers to be transported in comfort with almost no vehicle noise to be heard.
They are renowned for their reliability and every day functionality… compatible with both AC and DC chargers, the LEAF is chargable both at home using an AC charger or on the road using DC fast chargers. It uses advanced EV technology and provides users desirable features such as heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, reverse camera, cruise control and eco mode.
Full charge for around $6 allowing 130kms of range – plenty for the day’s city driving before returning home, plugging in and charging overnight.
The Nissan Note e-POWER
2017+ (40kwh) – AVAILABLE at Fabcar
The Nissan Note e-POWER is powered by Nissan LEAF’s latest 40kwh motor and has a theoretical range of around 1200kms!
It houses a 1.2L petrol powered generator which charges a 1.5 kWh battery that in turn runs the 40kwh motor. Due to having the petrol generator – you never need to physically plug in and charge your vehicle… EVER.
It enables for a smooth and eerily silent driving experience – the same as the Nissan Leaf with just a small noise from the petrol generator that kicks in intermittently to charge the battery.
Its 47L petrol generator and regenerative braking function provides a combined range of around 2.9L/100kms – allowing for long intervals between filling up.
With different driving modes and the same low centre of gravity driving experience as the Leaf – the Nissan Note handles beautifully direct with instant throttle response.
Perhaps one of its other greatest features not to be overlooked is how much space the cabin has. Don’t let the small exterior fool you, the rear seats are some of the most spacious we have seen in a hatchback vehicle!
An great solution for those that love the advantages of owning an electric car but require the long daily range between charges!
The world of electric vehicles can be quite overwhelming initially… but here is a basic explanation of key terms to be encountered:
EV – Electric Vehicle
kWh – “Kilowatt hour” measure of energy relating to charging rate and battery capacity.
SOH – State of Health. Relating to the vehicle’s overall battery condition. Measured on a % basis.
SOC – State of Charge. Relating to the current charge remaining in the vehicle battery. Measured on a % basis.
Regenerative Braking – Motor based braking system which recycles the energy created from breaking and charges the battery system
Type 1 – AC Charging plug end which connects to Type 2 chargers. (Car to charger)
Type 2 – AC Charging socket which accepts Type 1 cables. (Charger to car)
CHAdeMO – Direct Current Fast charging ports.
AC Charging – Alternating Current, the most common and cost effective charging method using portable chargers and wall mounted charging units generally used at home/ work.
AC charging is limited by the amperage of electrical source output (amp) and the vehicle’s AC inverter charging capacity.
Example 1: A 15amp wall socket is powering an AC charger which has a maximum kWh output of 3.3kWh.
The Nissan LEAF 24kWh has an AC inverter which has a maximum of 3.3kWh input.
Based on the vehicle having a 24kWh battery, it would take 7.2 hours from completely empty to 100% full charge. (24kWh / 3.3kWh = 7.2)
Example 2: A 32amp AC charger has a maximum output of 7.6kWh.
The Nissan LEAF 30kWh has an AC inverter rated to 6.6kWh
Based on the vehicle having a 30kWh battery it would take 4.5 hours from completely empty to 100% full charge. (30kWh / 6.6kWh = 4.5hours)
DC Charging – Direct Current, high power fast charging stations most commonly found on a commercial basis. Some DC chargers are provided as a free charging service, others are a nominal “paid by charge” service. (Similar to petrol/ gas stations).
Chargers most commonly used are CHAdeMO charging ports.
Example 1: A 50kWh DC Charger has a maximum charging output of 50kWh
The Nissan LEAF 24kWh has a DC inverter of 22kWh. (Allowing just 22kWh of the maximum 50kWh)
Based on the vehicle having a 24kWh battery, it would take approximately 54mins to charge from completely empty to 100%. (22kWh/24kwh = 0.91hrs)
Example 2: A 50kWh DC charger has a maximum output of 50kWh.
The Tesla 100D has an DC inverter rated to 120kWh. (It can only us 50kWh input though as this is the maximum output of this particular charging unit.)
Based on the vehicle having a 100kWh battery it would take 2 hours from completely empty to 100% full charge.
(50kWh / 100kWh = 2 hours)
As you have most likely heard, there are claims that electric cars are a lot cheaper to run than petrol and diesel cars. So is this true?
In a nutshell… yes… the financial savings can be quire significant! Maintaining and running electric vehicles is very cost effective compared to petrol and diesel vehicles.
The average fuel consumption of a Nissan LEAF is 16.9 kWh/100kms which equates in comparable terms to just 1.9 l/100kms of fuel.
At current home energy prices of $0.28c per kW, this works out to be $6 per 100kms of range. The TESLA Model 3? Halve this cost to $3 per 100kms range!
The technology and range efficiency of electric vehicles is rapidly evolving on a monthly basis… with new and improved products and solutions becoming available for both new and used models on offer.
You can say goodbye to excessive annual service costs and engine problems!
Electric vehicles require just basic annual maintenance with no more engine oil changes, replacing brakes and multiple worn out engine components.
The main items to be replaced on electric cars are tyres when they are due and transmission oil / coolant every couple of years.
Due to the use of regenerative braking – electric vehicles do not use the brake rotors/ pads very often and as a result, they rarely require replacement. Tesla even claims the brake rotors on their vehicles should last the lifetime of the car.
It is understood that nearly 20 of the World’s most influential countries currently have plans to cease the sale of new petrol/ diesel engine vehicles starting from 2020 – 2050 with more countries following.
It will therefore not be long before Australia also announces its move to only selling zero emission EV vehicles and further continue its fight in global climate change and pollution reduction.
Get on board today at Fabcar and “drive something electric”!
