Tuesday, August 10, 2021

An EV cheaper than its petrol equivalent

 The gurus have it that when battery-pack costs fall to $100/kWh, the "sticker prices" of EVs will match those of ICEVs (petrol/diesel/gasoline) cars.  According to BNEF, that will prolly happen in 2022.  But it's starting to happen now, in Australia.  When comparing US and Australian prices, you must take into account the exchange rate which increases the Australian price by 40%, and then add a 5% import tax and a 10% general sales tax (GST).  This increases the US price by roughly 65%.


From CarsGuide


Chinese brand BYD has officially entered the Australian market with the most affordable new all-electric vehicle on sale, the T3.

While the T3 is priced from $34,950 plus on-road costs, its drive-away pricing ranges from $35,855 (ACT) to $37,673 (WA), meaning it undercuts Australia’s previous cheapest all-electric vehicle, the MG ZS EV small SUV, which charges $44,990 (d/a) and is, of course, a vastly different type of vehicle.

So, what exactly is the T3? Well, it’s a two-seat small van that currently has one direct rival locally, the Renault Kangoo ZE, which costs significantly more, at $50,290 (+ ORCs). [$14,000 less for the EV!]

The T3 is motivated by a 70kW/180Nm front-mounted electric motor, and its 50.3kWh battery provides 300km of WLTP-certified range. Of note, its top speed is 100km/h [most freeways in Oz have a top speed of 100 kph, which is 62 mph in the old measurement.]

A 40kW DC fast charger (with a CCS plug) is able to fully charge the T3’s battery in 1-1.5 hours, while a 6kW AC charger (with a Type 2 plug [the Oz & European standard]) will do the job in 7-8 hours. It’s also replenished while on the move via regenerative braking.

Measuring 4460mm long (with a 2725mm wheelbase), 1720mm wide and 1875mm tall, the T3 offers 3.8 cubic-metres of cargo space and has a cargo volume of 3800L, a maximum payload of 700kg, a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 2420kg.

Standard equipment in the T3 includes dusk-sensing lights, 16-inch steel wheels, disc brakes, dual sliding doors, keyless entry, push-button start, a touchscreen multimedia system, climate control, leather upholstery, a chequered-plate cargo-area floor, anti-skid brakes (ABS) and dual front airbags.

BYD is distributed by zero-emissions transport company Nexport, with T3 buyers offered door-to-door delivery within 50km of each capital city (Darwin excluded).


This is an extremely attractive price, some $14,000 less than the ICEV  competition.  What will slow take-up though is the limiting charging network. The charging network in Australia has just with just 2,500 charge points, compared with 800,000 in China.   However,  businesses using this van can charge it up at their premises overnight.  And of course, as electric cars/lorries become more popular, the charging network will increase.  In the meantime, will the much lower "sticker price" as well as materially lower operating costs offset the hassle of charging?

One final point:  BYD's tentative sales push in Australia is obviously a test run for a push into the far bigger US market.  Absent sales taxes and import duties, this van would cost $21,000 in the USA, which seems to be cheaper than equivalent small ICEV vans




[Update, 7-07-2023:  The Renault Kangoo is in fact an EV]

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