With rising costs of fuel – consider Kona Electric

 

With the cost of fuel constantly on the rise, motorists are really feeling the pinch. Most cars are now costing around $80 to fill every week, naturally leading many car owners to wonder whether switching to an electric vehicle is a feasible option. 

 

At Mantello Hyundai, we are here to help you support your drive and reduce your running costs with Australia’s first 100% electric small SUV, the Hyundai Kona Electric. 

 

 

All the benefits of fully electric, at a competitive price

 

Since developing our first electric vehicle in 1991, Hyundai has worked tirelessly on further development of electric vehicle technologies, producing a number of impressive models and now, Australia’s first fully electric vehicle, the Hyundai Kona Electric. It comes in the Kona Electric Elite and Highlander models. 

 

The Hyundai Kona Electric is at the top of its class.  With cutting-edge driver safety technology, a sleek 10.25” digital supervision cluster, and an exterior that demands to be seen, the Kona Electric is both functional and unique.  

 

Full of unique features and benefits, it really is a refined option that stands out from other eco-friendly vehicles at a competitive price point, with Kona Electric Elite starting at under $60,000. 

 

 

Is an electric car really a more cost-efficient option?

 

There are a number of variables to consider when considering the cost of running an electric car compared to petrol or internal combustion engine vehicles. 

 

If you put the cost of powering the vehicle aside for a moment, one of the greatest benefits of owning an electric car is that you will have less maintenance over the course of its lifetime. 

 

Unlike its petrol counterpart, the Kona electric has no moving parts that are susceptible to wear and tear over time, which means less frequent servicing and fewer parts to replace: there are no spark plugs or filters to replace, no oil to change, and no transmission or engine to repair. These maintenance and servicing savings are estimated to be at $300-$400 per year. 

 

 

But what about the cost of charging?

 

The cost of charging an electric car is almost always going to be less than filling up a similar car with petrol, and this is where the big savings come into play. In fact, Australia’s Electric Vehicle Council estimates that powering an electric car is around 70% cheaper compared to internal combustion engines powered with petrol or diesel. 

 

This saves EV drivers, on average, around $3000 per year. 

 

 

Where can you charge an electric car?

 

When we talk about charging EVs, there are three levels of charging, each with a different power requirement and charging speed.

 

• Level 1: Uses a standard 120V wall socket. This is the slowest way to charge, and typically adds 5-8km of range per hour, taking approximately 56 hours to fully charge the battery

 

• Level 2: Uses 240V of power and charges the battery in approximately 9 hours. A charger unit that can be installed at home is required for this type of fast charging. This is the most popular and efficient way to charge your EV

 

• Level 3: This is the fastest type of charging available and is available at public charging stations, since it requires such a high voltage supply. It’s a great option when you’re on the go and need to charge up quickly, with charging speeds ranging from 5-30km of range per minute. 

 

Charging your Kona Electric at a slower rate at home is likely to be the most cost-efficient option, whereas relying on public charging stations will generally come at a higher price. 

 

Many people will choose to charge at off-peak times, getting a better rate for their recharge. To make sure you’re getting the best value out of your charge, you can schedule your preferred charging times through the multimedia touchscreen in your Hyundai Kona Electric. 

 

Going one step better, those with a solar power supply and battery at home can reduce the cost of running an electric car even further by harnessing the energy of the sun!

 

 

So, what is the per kilometer cost of driving a Hyundai Kona Electric, then?

 

Hyundai Kona EV drivers can estimate that their car’s 64kW battery will cost around $12.80 to fully charge (this is based on paying $0.20 per kWh of electricity at home, overnight). That charge then translates to a huge 449km of range, with absolutely zero emissions, saving you money and putting that range anxiety to rest!

 

Based on these estimates, that’s only a tiny $0.02 per kilometre travelled.

 

Compare that to $0.14 per kilometre in a petrol car, and you can see the savings begin to add up. 

 

 

Experience the Hyundai Kona Electric

 

There are endless reasons why Hyundai is the brand to consider. Our experience with and commitment to sustainable technologies and eco-friendly vehicle development over the years should be at the top of the list for those who are considering the purchase of an electric car.

 

Let us book you in for a test drive in the Hyundai Kona Electric so you can experience the difference for yourself! Get in touch with us at Mantello Hyundai today and take the first step towards a more sustainable, more affordable drive.