With subsidies from the federal government and the manufacturers, a small electric car costs hardly more than a comparable car with a gasoline or diesel engine. But are the electric cars really a good choice??
By claudius maintz
When buying a fully electric car, consumers receive 9,000 euros from the government and manufacturers.000 euro environmental bonus. The only restriction: the e-car must not cost more than 40.000 euro cost (net list price). the incentive to buy electric cars is already having an effect: while just under four percent of newly registered cars were electric in september 2019, the share was already 15.6 percent in september 2020.
taking advantage of the e-car bonus: price comparison with gasoline-powered cars
Example hyundai kona: the small SUV costs just under 19 euros as a gasoline-powered model.000 euros, the electric version almost 34.000 euros, i.e. 15.000 euros more. But: the federal government subsidizes e-cars with 6.000 (e-car premium), the manufacturers add at least another 3.000 euros on top. Makes a total of 9.000 euro. Some car companies, such as hyundai, are voluntarily raising their share. For the kona, the subsidies total 11.000 euro. The bottom line is that the gasoline car costs 19.000 euros, the electric version 23.000 euro.
electric cars have lower operating costs than gasoline-powered cars
Many e-cars compensate for the additional costs compared with gasoline-powered vehicles through lower operating costs. The German Automobile Association (ADAC) has calculated that the total costs of purchasing and operating many electric cars are lower than for comparable models of the same brand with conventional drive systems. As a result, for example, the renault zoe is cheaper than a comparable clio.
One reason is lower costs for repairs: e-cars, for example, don’t have an exhaust that could break down. Oil changes are also completely eliminated for electric cars.
Battery replacement can be expensive
However, the purchase of a new battery can be expensive: replacing the battery can cost five-figure sums of money. Consumers should therefore look for the longest possible manufacturer’s warranty for the battery. With some manufacturers you can buy the car and rent the battery. If the battery breaks down, you get a new one free of charge.
Range: up to 450 kilometers on one battery charge
Modern electric cars have a range of 300 to 450 kilometers, older models usually only 250 kilometers. When driving at high speed, vehicles have to return to the charging station sooner than usual. A larger battery can increase the range of the car. But: the higher weight increases power consumption, which in turn reduces the range.
To increase the range, the so-called recuperation rate can be set in most electric cars. This is energy recovery as soon as the foot is off the gas pedal pedal. In the city, it makes sense to choose a high value. This way, when braking before each red light, some electricity is charged back into the battery. In the countryside, on the other hand, it is advisable to simply let the car roll.
Subsidies for charging stations at home parking lots
Switching from a diesel or gasoline-powered car to an electric one requires a change of mindset: charging takes place when the car is parked – at home, at work or while shopping. The parking spaces for e-cars are also charging stations. From 24. November 2020, the state-owned kfw bank will subsidize home charging stations to the tune of 900 euros.
Why charging e-cars often takes a long time
One reason for the long charging times is a component in the electric car that converts the alternating current (AC) from urban charging stations into direct current (DC) for the battery. The so-called inverter can often only handle part of the power that could come from the charging station – for example, instead of the possible 22 kilowatts (kw), only 7.2 kw. Many manufacturers offer a larger inverter, but only at an additional cost.
Fast charging stations along freeways
In fast-charging stations, for example along highways, the direct current required to charge the battery is generated outside the car and flows directly into the battery. The fastest chargers currently reach 350 kw.
Theoretically, the battery of an electric car could be charged in less than ten minutes. But only a few cars can handle such high charging powers, such as the porsche taycan and tesla model 3. And: to prevent the battery from overheating and suffering damage, the charging station regulates the power downwards. So charging the battery takes a little longer.
A full charge takes a long time
On long journeys, many drivers of e-cars never fully charge the battery. Filling the last fifth of a battery with electricity usually takes as long as the first ten to 80 percent. The charged particles (ions) take longer to find a free space in the battery,. If you are in a hurry, go to the fast charger for eight to ten minutes. This takes only slightly longer than filling up a diesel or gasoline engine and paying for it at the gas station. Charging at fast charging stations is slightly more expensive than filling up with gasoline or diesel.
E-cars: charging and range problems in cold weather
- BatteryAt temperatures below zero degrees Celsius, the battery of the electric car can freeze: the electrolyte in which the lithium ions move becomes extremely tough. Then nothing happens at the charging station, the battery remains empty.
- RangeMost e-cars have a shorter range in cold conditions. In a field test conducted by markt, the charging distance of the Renault Zoe dropped from 219 to 181 kilometers after a night in a cold container at minus 15 degrees Celsius. With the heating or air conditioning switched on, the value continues to fall. Heat pump heaters, which consume less energy than purely electric heaters, provide some relief here.
Empty battery warning
cars with internal combustion engines clearly signal when fuel is running low. E-cars prompt drivers to head for a charging station – in several stages, sometimes with loud warning noises.
Particularly expensive models such as the porsche taycan (from 104.000 euros) even have an electric "rescue parachute" – in case the car breaks down on a railroad crossing or in a freeway construction site. Pressing the start button again then mobilizes final power for a maximum of five kilometers. Tesla has a similar function.
E-cars can be dangerously quiet
Cars with conventional engines have become much quieter. But most passers-by still hear them. By contrast, electric cars seem to whirr silently along the road. This can lead to accidents. That’s why, according to EU regulations, new electric car models have had to be equipped with charging stations since 1 January 2009. July 2019 make a noise at speeds up to 20 km/h.
Electric car charging: tips for drivers
If you own an electric car, you’ll need charging stations when you’re on the road. How to find the charging points? What does the electricity cost? And how long does it take to charge the battery? More