Back in the years, you couldn’t go a mile down the road without hearing someone complain about the exorbitant petrol and diesel prices (and for good reason, with prices in certain cities being as high as 96 rupees for a liter of petrol) and with talk of Tesla entering the Indian market, electrical vehicles sounded like the perfect solution. So, what is stopping people from making the switch?
The last decade of human history has witnessed an impressive push towards sustainable growth and high pushback against environmental pollution on all fronts. This has led to the recent uptake of electrical vehicles (EVs), positioned to be the keystone of the next generation of transportation for human society. However, like all new technologies, it’s important to demystify common doubts and questions before jumping on the bandwagon. Here we discuss and debunk 5 of the foremost common myths around EVs.
Myth 1: EVs take time to charge
One of the foremost common concerns that happen for people considering a shift to EVs is that while they’re going to refuel their vehicle during a matter of minutes, charging an EV may take hours. This argument doesn’t take into consideration the change in fueling patterns that EVs cause. EVs are often charged nightly or even every few nights, with a basic 240V power outlet, if you’ve an obsessive parking zone or a garage. this means you’ll avoid long lines at petrol pumps or CNG stations. Similarly, driving long distances would become far easier once charging infrastructure is developed on Indian highways. Current superchargers offers you a full charge in 30 to 60 minutes; that’s about as long as having lunch at a pit stop. Many companies also are considering the installation of charging stations in their parking spaces and dealing strongly towards making an adequate infrastructure for EVs.
MG’s Fast Charging tops up the ZS EV from 0%-80% in 50 mins. Customers can get an AC fast charger installed at their homes/offices, freed from cost, through MG’s association with Delhi-based eChargeBays. MG has also partnered with Fortum Charge & Drive India to line up 10 DC 50 kW super-fast charging stations at select MG showrooms.
Myth 2: EVs are uneconomical
This should not be surprising, because it’s representative of the generic curve that new technology follows. While most EVs are at high price points in luxury markets today, this is often changing quickly changing – especially in India where costs are being brought down through subsidies and EVs are being made more accessible. Moreover, a quick inspect the US shows that an EV on the typical costs half the utmost amount as petrol-driven cars. Maintenance costs also are economical since EVs have fewer moving parts, more efficient cooling systems, and no oil.
To provide the simplest ownership experience, MG has introduced the MG eShield, which provides privately-registered customers with a free-of-charge 5-year manufacturer warranty for unlimited kilometres on the car and eight years/150k km warranty on the battery. It also offers round-the-clock roadside assistance (RSA) for a period of 5 years for privately-registered cars, along side 5 labour-free services.
Apart from introducing the MG eShield, a one-stop solution for ZS EV customers, MG has also entered a strategic alliance with CarDekho.com, who would offer a pioneering 3-50 plan, that gives assured resale value and may be availed by the customer by paying a stipulated amount at the time of purchase of ZS EV. CarDekho.com shall provide guaranteed buyback to ZS EV customers at a residual value of 50% upon completion of three years of ownership.
Myth 3: EV batteries are really expensive and wish to urge replaced frequently
A Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery is a type of rechargeable battery used in electric vehicles and a number of portable electronics. Lithium-ion batteries are also safer than many alternatives and battery manufacturers have to ensure that safety measures are in place to protect consumers in the unlikely event of a battery failure.
Lithium-ion battery costs are vividly reducing and India is gearing towards serious investment in high-performance batteries. Currently, EV batteries, as an example , have up to 90% capacity after driving 241,000 Kms. the standard Indian driver doesn’t even complete the space which is given above, and for those that even complete the target, EV companies give them a guarantee of Eight years of the battery. For the warranty on the battery pack, for personal customers, the MG ZS EV will offer an 8 years/1,50,000 km warranty.
Myth 4: EVs are unfit for long-distance travel
The low adoption rate of EVs is thanks to a myth that the vehicle range won’t be enough for traveling from one city to a different or simply outside the town . However, the new-age, global line of electrical vehicles with extremely capable batteries ensures that vehicles has the capacity to travel above 300 KM in range. The entry of worldwide EV leaders into the market is predicted to vary the present market dynamics as they localize their internationally-proven EV offerings, in order that it can better suit the stress of the local consumer base in India. With the government’s increasing thrust on charging stations, soon there will be a time when a private can travel from Delhi to Chandigarh, With the supply of maximum number of charging stations. However, the MG ZS EV can cover 340 Kms range at one charge and the all-electric MG Cyberster concept has a claimed range of 800km.
Myth 5: EVs have low speed
While this has been a typical assumption about most electric vehicles within the past, you’d possibly be surprised to understand that electric race cars exist as well! Most manufacturers of electric cars limit the top speed to preserve battery charge. This is why most EVs are designed with just one fixed ratio for the purpose of reducing the electric motor speed, which is usually between 8000 and 10,000rpm, before it is transmitted to the wheels. EVs can convert the entire torque that they are designed to provide , instantly, leading to rapid acceleration. Even in consumer vehicles, EVs are able to achieve 0-96 kmph in 2.5 seconds! as an example , the MG ZS EV can cover 0-100 km/h in 8.5 secs: and that’s fast! MG also claims a 0-100kph time of under 3 seconds for its all-electric MG Cyberster.
Many new electrical vehicles are launching in 2021- including the highly anticipated Audi E-tron, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Mercedes-Benz EQS, Mahindra eKUV100, and Tata Altroz EV- with both affordable and luxury options.