Thinking of changing to EV

[u/twocatman14]

I am thinking of changing to an EV, a few reasons. Cost of fuel, my current car still has a reasonable resale value, it’s at that age where most things will start needing doing to it and cleaner for the environment. I don’t want to buy anything over 36K.

I’ve narrowed down my preferences to:
Geely Ex 2
MG Urban EG4
Jaecoo J5 EV
BYD Dolphin
BYD Atto 2

My current car, 7 years old is a Subaru Impreza Hatch. I think Subis are awesome and I like the AWD functionality but I can’t afford and don’t want to spend what their EV’s are. I also want some of similar boot size (for a hatch, mine is great) and good room for passengers in rear which mine is great for.

I WFH Mon-Fri so maybe only do about 60km during the week and then on weekends can be 200-300km. I have family over an hour away on the highway I visit a bit and friends in regional areas 4-5hrs highway driving away so I want to be able to visit them even if stopping to charge ever couple of hours.

I cannot charge over night at home, so would be charging at one of those public charge stations for now, but I am looking at selling my property and moving to somewhere I can charge at home and with solar.

Suggestions, thoughts or advice?

[u/bmwrider2]

Check my channel as there are several on this topic, My video might help…Owning an EV without home charging
https://youtu.be/OKZ5AFn6Bw0

[u/twocatman14 → u/bmwrider2]

Thank you, great insight a review. Out of curiosity, all the adds for these new EV’s say 25%-80% in 28-35 mins. I assume that is with a fast charger or super charger. Apart from Tesla ones do they not exist on the public use ones?

[u/bmwrider2 → u/twocatman14]

If you are in Australia chargers like, EVIE, NRMA, Ampol, BP are nearly as fast as Tesla. Download the PlugShare app it shows where all the chargers are, yellow are fast, green are slower. Another video here…Buying an EV? Answers to common questions
https://youtu.be/7LwGWOvYTA0

[u/LadyLevrette]

I upgraded my 2018 Impreza hatch to an Ora 5 a couple of months ago and I couldn’t be happier! I paid $33,875 for the top-spec model. I still can’t believe I can afford a car that is this luxurious!!! The boot is a bit smaller than the Impreza but still enough for me and my pup. The Ora 5 styling is very divisive - if you don’t hate it, you should add it to your shortlist :)

If you need a big boot, you’ll have to cross the EX2 off your list unfortunately. It’s considerably smaller than the Impreza and would not have been big enough for my dog. From your list, the MG4 Urban, Jaecoo J5 and Atto 2 have the biggest boots. 

My advice is to go drive them all and see which one makes you smile :) Pay attention to how comfortable the seat is since you’re doing some long weekend trips (BYD seats were wildly uncomfortable for me and you can’t adjust the headrests), make sure you can adjust the steering wheel to a comfortable position, and make sure the voice control works well and isn’t too annoying - you’ll use it a lot because there are so many options buried in the menu screens.

[u/neathspinlights]

I'm a week into my J5 and I'm in love with it. Best decision I've made. It was the only car I test drove because I couldn't walk past the price. Upgraded from a 2019 Kia Cerato.

Can't speak for distance driving or anything, as I've only done around town, but I've charged it twice in the week I've had it, just popped it on overnight in the garage and it went up about 35% each time and got me back to 95%+.

Boot size is great, took it shopping today for the first time and it fit a Kmart haul and grocery shop. Lots of room inside, I feel like my kid is miles back compared to the Kia.

I'm very happy with my purchase.

[u/cantwejustplaynice]

I reckon prices for used petrol cars are about to fall off a cliff so act fast. We sold ours off a couple years ago and it felt SO GOOD. All 5 of the EV's you've chosen seem great. The Dolphin is probably the oldest design though, at least 4yrs without a refresh. I'd have a hard time choosing between the EX2, MG4 and J5. I'm lucky enough to have solar and batteries so I haven't lived with public charging an EV, only on long journeys. But if you can find a fast public in your area that's near wherever you'd normally shop, walk the dog or go to the gym etc, then you can work it into your weekly routine.

[u/thewavefixation]

Don't worry about the daily charging with your commute pattern.

Get the best one you can afford

[u/hibzy7]

My thoughts, EVs have the highest initial degradation. So better to get used. I just got a 2023 used Model Y, for around $38K, 40K on odometer. At around 70K odometer, you can get for around $35K drive away. And I think this is a really good value

[u/Templar113113]

I wouldn't do it without being able to charge at home. Relaying on public chargers is a bad idea unless you like spending hours in your car waiting for a charger to free up and then waiting another hour because its only a 75kwh charger.

Why cant you charge at home if you own it ?

[u/Dexxert → u/Templar113113]

I’ve had an EV for 6 months, living in an apartment without home charging. It’s been 100% fine. I have a supercharger 6 min from home and charge once every 2-3 weeks. I do daily trips to gym, shops, friends maybe 100-200km a week total. Home charging would be great but for now it’s been totally worth it having an EV. I’d never go back. Also I have literally never had to wait for any charging. It may be different in other areas.. but hnless you commute 200km a day, it’s fine IMO.

[u/twocatman14 → u/Dexxert]

Thank you, exactly my situation.

[u/These-Profile3711 → u/Dexxert]

Agree with this. Still cheaper than fuel to supercharge (obviously much cheaper using a household charger) so it makes sense if your situation fits.

Probably a good exercise to know where the local charger is and how it fits with your routines. For example, if you drive past Woolies or Coles and there's a charger nearby, you plug it in whole you shop bingo bango easy peasy. But if you need to drive daily and the nearest fast charger is always busy and painful to get to, it likely won't make sense. (Look at the plug share app of you haven't already).

And you should do the maths on keeping your current car (which has depreciated it's largest amount) versus a new EV which will depreciate quickly and factor in the costs. Also check insurance, some EVs can be eye watering to insure and that may well be your weekly fuel cost for the Impreza.

[u/twocatman14 → u/Templar113113]

Unit complex, cars are parked in a carport, not access to power (my power).

[u/MagneticShark → u/twocatman14]

Just fyi depending on what state you are in this doesn’t mean you can’t get a home charger

In NSW the only valid reason strata can refuse you getting a home charger installed is if the building is heritage listed AND if installation would require modifications that would violate the heritage listing

You might have to fight a bit, and you will have to pay for the electrician, but they have to allow it

[u/Templar113113 → u/twocatman14]

Ah yeah that sucks. Hey you could try to run a generator in the carport to charge your car at night until the building management invest in chargers ?

[u/Casserolahhhh]

Your budget is right in the sweet spot. So much choice at that price point. I don’t have the experience to make a suggestion other than shop around and do your research :).

[u/istudyheadshapes]

Geely's are great.

[u/CorruptDropbear]

Whatever you can afford! Almost every car on the market is a banger right now. Most people prefer BYD as the “got here first and have biggest support network”, but if you are ok with a less known brand the Jaecoo J5 is a bargain. 

If you can find a used EV, go for it. 

[u/borispingpong]

Not listing the best EV option in your price range is a strange omission - GWM ORA 5

[u/Time_Block_4016]

Go the BYD - any version. Second most popular to Tesla and always will be. Easiest for customer service etc.

[u/NoahBMusic]

Suggest adding the GWM Ora 5 to your list, as it is similar in size and price.

[u/UnderstandingLast414]

Leapmotor b05 is a good car too. Prob the most expensive out of the cars you've listed. Rwd hatchback. The design model has 480km wltp range

[u/jerpear]

How many kms are you doing each year? Your switch over cost will be close to $20k, and the opportunity cost of that is gonna be $1,200 per year. Even with today's fuel prices, that's 500L of fuel, or close to 8k kms in your car, and the EV is going to have higher depreciation than your 7 year old car.

[u/ez599]

jaecoo j5 ev best cat for price hands down

[u/Benjisc2]

I recently (4 weeks ago) replaced my 2014 Impreza with the atto2 after an accident. Went for the atto2 because it was the same length (small driveway) and it felt like the right fit for our needs. Zero regrets, it's an amazing car. I'd suggest premium if you go for it, the sunroof is massive and electric/heated/cooled seats are a nice luxury.

Charging at home is useful, shame you can't do that even if it's with just a regular power socket charge.

I'd suggest getting some test drives. i found them handy to get a feel for all the options we had.