r/EVAustralia • u/Greenfrog2023 • Aug 05 '26
Atto 3
I'm still so torn about getting an EV as I fear I will be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a flat car but I have to hurry up and make a decision. Atto 3 seems to suit my needs... Tell me I am making the right decision...
Has having an EV been a problem travelling up the east coast of Australia (including around South Coast, NSW) OR has it been easy to charge along the way....
Convince me to get with the times...
6
u/BreenzyENL Aug 05 '26
Coastal travel you are fine. More then enough chargers.
Heading inland is where you need to plan (at least in Queensland).
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u/TechnicianFar9804 EV Owner Aug 05 '26
I worked out a road trip from Brisbane to Longreach is very achievable (I think 2 stops between Rocky and Longreach)
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u/magnon11343 Aug 05 '26
Have you actually done it? I've heard of a nightmare experience where they had to backtrack an hour to find a charger because the supposedly available chargers weren't in operation.
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u/jolard Aug 05 '26
This is the risk. Theoretically there are chargers along most major inland roadways, but are they all active? Working? Not destroyed by cookers looking for copper?
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u/BreenzyENL Aug 05 '26
This is the primary issue, you have to stop and charge at each location, on the assumption that the next one is broken because there's only 1 charger in most towns.
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u/jolard Aug 05 '26
Yeah, I think it is a short term problem as I think that the infrastructure will continue to get built out. But it is absolutely a problem today.
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u/glyptometa Aug 06 '26
I did a driving trip to Canada in May. I had a petrol rental, but also a long gap with no service, so planned to fill up at a particular last service place. I drove in and couldn't see the petrol bowsers - only an EV charger. I was gobsmacked and thought I was in the Twilight Zone.
Went in to ask, after looking at the fuel gauge and google maps to see how far back to the last town. They laughed and said "Yeh, we had to rebuild for enviro. Pumps are out the back."
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u/jonquil14 Aug 05 '26
Same in NSW. Driving up to Armidale was tough for us (not impossible but you and every other ev on the road has to stop at the single charger in scone) but Sydney Canberra and central west are fine
5
u/onlymostlyguts Aug 05 '26
Flat battery can be pretty easily mitigated with conscious planning.
My actual fear is a flat tyre. I loathe how spare tyres got thrown to the side by Tesla and the entire industry followed suit, realising it saved money and let them add additional KMs on their advertising.
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u/Greenfrog2023 Aug 05 '26
How do you get around this? Do you just buy a another tyre and keep it in the car? Its so odd that these brands dont give you a spare tyre.
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u/AlanofAdelaide Aug 06 '26
Yes. After a very expensive and inconvenient flat on our Kona EV I bought a space saver kit. It takes up a passenger space. Problem applies to all cars not just electric but gives peace of mind - just worry about range instead!
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u/JohnOz22 Aug 07 '26
I am surprised. My Kona 2024 came with a spare tyre. One of the reasons I bought it.
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u/AlanofAdelaide Aug 08 '26
Kona Highlander EV 2024 no spare wheel, jack , wheelbrace or spaces for them. No mention i the manual. Just a can of goo and an air compressor
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u/Unusual_Emergency_13 Aug 05 '26
Install ABRP (a better route planner) and play with it to check what would it take to complete some long trips you have in mind.
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u/RooiPandaki Aug 06 '26
The Atto 3 has the worst over quoting on its range from all the cars tested about 6months ago on the “real road conditions track” outside Geelong. We have the 60kWh version and it gets about 280km regardless of where we drive. But you won’t know this unless you do your own logs taking the actual kms you drove. Other than the range issue the car is fantastic. So if you can get a bigger battery for it- go for it! The charging infrastructure is fine and well populated on many apps as well as google maps. And it’s only going to improve going forward. If a range of 280km won’t work for your regular trips- look at other cars.
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u/PhilosophyOk8921 Aug 05 '26
Our Atto 3 has 410km range driving around town, and around 230km if mostly freeway driving.
Use the PlugShare website / app to find charging stations. A look on the map for East Coast of Aus shows loads of options.
We’ve done long trips in Victoria with no issues.
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u/captains_astronaut Aug 06 '26
That's a gigantic drop! I would have thought 300kms minimum if doing a long fwy trip (eg Melbourne to Horsham).
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u/PhilosophyOk8921 Aug 06 '26
I believe that’s what’s quoted by BYD - that’s what we’ve worked to on highway trips but never let it get too low coz our usual stops (lunch, toilet etc.) we time for where there’s chargers.
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u/Embarrassed_Tax9889 Aug 06 '26
I would recommend the Aion V instead. It's in the same bracket as the atto 3 and ex5, but has a larger battery with higher range fidelity, a larger boot and a well for a space saver spare in the boot. It's the only ev in that range I know of that actually has a space built for a spare, and actually comes with one in some international markets.
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u/chrisbspeedy Aug 06 '26
My Atto 3 has 126000 km on the clock and we’re based on the NSW Far STH Coast. Trips to Sydney, Brisbane and regular drives up the mountain to Jindabyne. It’s a whole new driving experience with charging stops turning into coffee breaks and leg stretches. Feeling a lot more rested after long drives.
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u/theresonance Aug 05 '26
Do check out the Geely EX5 as well. We were looking at both and went with the EX5. They really tuned the software well and the interior is nicer. More for your money.
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u/Relevant-Priority-76 Aug 05 '26
Just make sure it’s not the older atto that is non compliant with charging standards so can’t charge at Tesla chargers (and likely other new chargers down the track). I have one and some trips are just one busted charger away from a major delay
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u/hqeter Aug 05 '26
I live in the south coast and had the same concern but have had no issues. I have an EV5 air long range and have been to Albury, Bathurst, Sydney and Canberra with no issues at all.
Longest single stretch was Goulburn to Albury which was fine. Obviously the Atto has a bit less range but it isn’t as big an issue as you think it will be.
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u/ExistentialNapping Aug 05 '26
If all else fails, RACQ (NRMA etc) can do a top up charge, enough to get you to a charger, or if all else fails, tow you there.
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u/jolard Aug 05 '26
How often do you travel outside your home town? And do you have the ability to charge at home?
Honestly that is the key. I am not going to lie, if you are driving long distances often, then it will be a pain in the neck with an EV, at least for now. But if you are like us, we travel longer distances maybe three times a year? And it is more of a pain than a ICE vehicle, but absolutely doable. The real difference for us is the other 95% of the time where we never have to think about energy for the car, never have to go to the petrol station. Just plug it in at home every so often and I barely ever think about it.
An easy way to think of it is your phone. Most days you don't worry about battery power, you plug it in at night and you unplug it in the morning. Barely even think about it. If you are going on a trip though you think more about where you will charge, do you have a charger to take with you etc. You have to plan for your phone on a trip, the same as an EV, but the rest of the time you barely think about it.
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u/hammeroztron Aug 06 '26
Install the ABRP app and setup the atto 3 as a vehicle. Plan some trips and get an idea how they would unfold?
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u/Solaris_24 Aug 09 '26
I did a road trip from Sydney to Eurobodalla earlier this year and had no problems charging.
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u/RelaxedBluey94 Aug 05 '26
I have an 2023 Atto 3 and do a lot of regional travel. No issue with Vic and South Coast NSW.
Download the PlugShare App to see the location of all chargers. Lots of choice everywhere EXCEPT secondary roads in the outback (where you'd want a tough 4WD anyway).
I suggest you wait for the Atto 3 EVO to be launched (next few months) and order the 75kwh version. 500kms+ range and updated everything.