8 Top Tips for New EV Drivers

​🚘 Congratulations on joining the EV Revolution!  Here are some top tips to help you smoothly transition to your new vehicle:

​1. Master the Charge: Understand the Basics ⚡

One of the first things you should do is familiarise yourself with the different charging options available to you:

• Trickle Charge. Simply connect your car to any standard 240v outlet for convenient charging wherever you go. With a 2 kW charging rate, you can gain roughly 100 km of range in about 6 hours, making it perfect for topping up while visiting friends or taking a vacation.
• Destination Charging and Dedicated Home Charging.  These are specialist EV chargers that you can install at home or they are found at popular locations like shopping malls.  While not the fastest option, they offer a significant boost compared to a regular 240v outlet. With a charging rate of up to 10-11 kW, you can expect to gain roughly 100 km of range per hour, making them perfect for topping up while you grab a bite to eat, shop, or enjoy some social time.  Some Destination Chargers are free, however a fee may apply depending on the location.
• Supercharging.  Hitting the road for a long trip? DC Superchargers, typically found at freeway service stations and some shopping centres, are your allies. These powerhouse chargers reach speeds of up to 300 kW, adding 100 km of range in just a few minutes.  Supercharging is the fastest, but also the most expensive, charging option.  

2. Planning Your Home Charger Placement for a Hassle-Free Charge🏠

Before you install your home EV charger, take a moment to consider:

• Car Charging Port Location: Identify where your car's charging port is located (front, rear, or side). Most people park facing forward, so ensure the charger placement allows the cable to reach comfortably.
• Cable Length and Parking Habits: Home Charger cables are typically around 7.3 meters  long. Use a piece of string this length to visualize how it will reach your car from the planned charger location.  If you park in your driveway but plan to install the charger in the garage, factor in the closed garage door's impact on cable reach. You might need a lower charger placement to avoid strain on the cable.

Quotes to install a Home Charger that you will find online can range from $1,500 to $2,000.  Local recommendation: If you live in the Northern Beaches area, consider Sole Electrical. They have experience installing chargers in the region and might offer competitive rates compared to generic online searches.

3. Driving on Sunshine: Charge of off Excess Solar🌞

​Solar and EVs are a match made in heaven.  If you have solar you are going to want to align charging to production as much as possible. 

• If you have a Tesla car and a Powerwall battery then this functionality is available to you within your Tesla app.
• If you don’t have a Powerwall then check out Charge HQ, an app that auto matches the charging on your car to your excess solar. 

4. Shave Hours off Your Commute: EVs Access to Transit Lanes 🚦

EVs in NSW can now use transit lanes regardless of the number of occupants. This perk, originally introduced in 2022 to boost EV adoption, has now been extended to 2025.  Read more here or visit the NSW Government website.  

5. Unlock Charging Freedom: Essential Charging Cables for your EV🔋

Didn't get any charging cables with your new electric vehicle? No worries, here are two cables worth keeping in your trunk for ultimate charging flexibility: 

• Type 2 to Type 2.  Since not all Destination Charger locations provide charging cables, having your own Type 2 to Type 2 cable ensures you can top up your battery when needed.
• Trickle charge cable.  This handy cable allows you to charge your car from any standard 240v outlet, like the ones you find in homes. While slower than Destination Charging, it’s often used when staying with friends or taking a vacation. Tesla also do their own version here.  

6. Be Prepared, Be Powered: Effortless Charging on the Go 📍

Some cars take the guesswork out of charging by automatically integrating Supercharger stops into your navigation system based on your estimated battery usage. This ensures a seamless journey with convenient charging breaks.
But what if your car doesn't have this feature, or you want to explore options beyond Superchargers? Here's where the PlugShare app comes in. This handy app acts as your global EV charging station database, allowing you to locate both Superchargers and Destination Chargers all in one place.

7. Power Up your Journey: Essential Charging Apps for your EV 📱   

To access charging stations on the go, you'll likely need a dedicated app. While the ideal scenario of a single, unified app is still in development, you’ll need the below (and possibly others depending on your journey) in the meantime.
Here's the good news: most of your charging will likely happen conveniently at home. But for those times you're exploring new places, consider downloading these apps before you need them. Creating accounts while you're relaxed at home will save you time and frustration when you're ready to charge up on the go.

• Chargefox
• BP Pulse    
• AmpCharge (Ampol)
• My NRMA

8. Charging your EV at Home: Single Phase Power is all you Need🔌

​Upgrading your home from single-phase to three-phase just for EV charging is not necessary.  Let's break it down:

• Single-phase charging is fast enough: Dedicated Home Chargers on single-phase can deliver up to 7 kW, which is enough for most people.
• EVs have their own limits: Most EVs are restricted to AC charging of 10-11 kW, regardless of the charger's output, which is a relatively small uplift compared to the 7 kW possible on single phase.
• Slower charging can be greener: If you have solar panels, charging at slower speeds can help you align charging with excess solar production, maximising the use of renewable energy and saving you money.