South Africa's first electic car
30 November 2013, 09:49
http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/South-Afr...r-20131130
South Africa’s first fully electric car, the Nissan Leaf, went on sale last month. Some see this as a step in the right direction. Proponents of the vehicle say electricity is cheaper than fuel and an electric vehicle will do less harm to the environment. Let’s weigh in some factors in relation to the South African market.
I can’t say the car’s exterior is very striking. I am impressed by the interior design and some of the specifications, but drivers can’t expect to be the fastest guys on the road either.
The Leaf sells from R446000. Nissan representatives claim that this is not that bad when we factor the car’s price over a period of six years. Electricity fees will amount to R22500 (excluding price increases from Eskom) and maintenance costs around R1500. Therefore, the car will cost you R470000 over six years, which is in the region of a petrol or hybrid model in the same range, including petrol and over the same period. Therefore, there is not much of a cost saving. People go on about the rising cost in fuel. Perhaps it is not to the same proportion but electricity costs are also increasing. Most people will also not buy the vehicle in cash so we can add interest rates to the mix as well. Include insurance and you realise that the vehicle is not economical at all.
The car has been available globally since 2011. In the UK, residents who buy the automobile receive a government rebate on part of the purchase price. Our government has not confirmed similar support for the vehicle although there have been rumours of a reduction in e-tolls for drivers of electric vehicles.
One of the obvious problems is that we lack adequate infrastructure for it. Nissan have placed charging stations at some of their outlets but this doesn’t solve the problem. The Leaf requires 7 hours of charging until it is fully charged, after which it can run for 180km. So, it is definitely not for long distances. Even if we did have a sufficient amount of charging stations, they still require at least 30 minutes to reach 80% capacity. That’s only convenient if most of your driving is limited to your local area or you have a lot of time to spare.
People who claim that the vehicle is 100% environmentally friendly need to provide more evidence for this. So you won’t be burning fossil fuels? Wrong. Unless your home’s power supply is generated by alternative electricity systems, you will be using Eskom’s electricity which is mainly derived from coal burning and nuclear energy. Electricity supply is another infrastructure problem – power cuts and load shedding will be an issue if your vehicle is electricity-dependant. The other thing to consider is the energy that went into producing this vehicle. Was it any less than that of producing a normal fuel-burning car?
The Leaf is neither affordable nor convenient. It may be ideal as a second vehicle, depending on individual circumstances. If you really want to reduce your costs and carbon emissions, it is still wiser to get a smaller vehicle which runs on diesel or less fuel.
30 November 2013, 09:49
http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/South-Afr...r-20131130
South Africa’s first fully electric car, the Nissan Leaf, went on sale last month. Some see this as a step in the right direction. Proponents of the vehicle say electricity is cheaper than fuel and an electric vehicle will do less harm to the environment. Let’s weigh in some factors in relation to the South African market.
I can’t say the car’s exterior is very striking. I am impressed by the interior design and some of the specifications, but drivers can’t expect to be the fastest guys on the road either.
The Leaf sells from R446000. Nissan representatives claim that this is not that bad when we factor the car’s price over a period of six years. Electricity fees will amount to R22500 (excluding price increases from Eskom) and maintenance costs around R1500. Therefore, the car will cost you R470000 over six years, which is in the region of a petrol or hybrid model in the same range, including petrol and over the same period. Therefore, there is not much of a cost saving. People go on about the rising cost in fuel. Perhaps it is not to the same proportion but electricity costs are also increasing. Most people will also not buy the vehicle in cash so we can add interest rates to the mix as well. Include insurance and you realise that the vehicle is not economical at all.
The car has been available globally since 2011. In the UK, residents who buy the automobile receive a government rebate on part of the purchase price. Our government has not confirmed similar support for the vehicle although there have been rumours of a reduction in e-tolls for drivers of electric vehicles.
One of the obvious problems is that we lack adequate infrastructure for it. Nissan have placed charging stations at some of their outlets but this doesn’t solve the problem. The Leaf requires 7 hours of charging until it is fully charged, after which it can run for 180km. So, it is definitely not for long distances. Even if we did have a sufficient amount of charging stations, they still require at least 30 minutes to reach 80% capacity. That’s only convenient if most of your driving is limited to your local area or you have a lot of time to spare.
People who claim that the vehicle is 100% environmentally friendly need to provide more evidence for this. So you won’t be burning fossil fuels? Wrong. Unless your home’s power supply is generated by alternative electricity systems, you will be using Eskom’s electricity which is mainly derived from coal burning and nuclear energy. Electricity supply is another infrastructure problem – power cuts and load shedding will be an issue if your vehicle is electricity-dependant. The other thing to consider is the energy that went into producing this vehicle. Was it any less than that of producing a normal fuel-burning car?
The Leaf is neither affordable nor convenient. It may be ideal as a second vehicle, depending on individual circumstances. If you really want to reduce your costs and carbon emissions, it is still wiser to get a smaller vehicle which runs on diesel or less fuel.