Introduction:
Fuel prices have never been more expensive, but what if you could run and power your car with nothing more than sunshine, producing 0 carbon emissions. More people globally are switching to electric vehicles (EV’s), powering their daily commute and travel with just the sunshine above, it makes sense to make use of the free energy from the sun whilst also avoiding the huge cost of fuel.
We’ve got solar systems that can power your car for free!
Table of contents:
- What is an electric vehicle (EV)?
- Types of Electric Vehicles
- How much power do EV’s consume?
- Can a solar system power an electric vehicle?
- What types of EV chargers can I install at home?
- How much will I save?
- Conclusion
What is an electric vehicle (EV)?
An electric vehicle, commonly referred to as an EV, is an automobile powered by electricity stored in a battery or multiple batteries. Unlike conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that rely on gasoline or diesel for fuel, EVs utilize electricity to generate power and drive the wheels.
Types of Electric Vehicles
There are several types of electric vehicles, each with its unique characteristics:
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV): BEVs are entirely reliant on electricity. They are equipped with a large battery pack that stores electrical energy, which is then used to power an electric motor to drive the vehicle.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): PHEVs combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery. These vehicles can be charged via a power outlet and have a limited electric-only range, after which the internal combustion engine takes over.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV): HEVs feature both an electric motor and a gasoline engine. The electric motor assists the internal combustion engine, improving fuel efficiency, but these vehicles cannot be charged from an external source.
How much power do EV’s consume?
We’ll be using Tesla as our model example for this article.
The best way to get an idea on how much power a car uses is looking at the consumption per 100/km’s – with fuel this will be in litres, for EV’s this will be in the form of kWh’s (kilowatt hours).
You can see in the image across, the consumption per 100/km’s is between 14.4 – 20.8 kWh per 100/km’s. This is a handy general rule of their consumption and makes picking a solar system to charge your EV super easy!
Can a solar system power an electric vehicle?
Looking at the Tesla chart above or your specific car models specifications, you’ll find the average kWh’s per 100/km’s of range. Take into account your average daily commute, are you driving more or less than 100km’s per day? Figuring our your daily range you can then calculate your daily power consumption, if you’re driving typically 40km’s per day and you have a Tesla Model S, then you are consuming on average 7kWh per day of energy. Let’s look at our solar packages below.
Short answer: You can easily power your daily commute for free! With a lot left over too 😉
What types of EV chargers can I install at home?
Tritium (Veefil Home):
- Tritium is an Australian company known for its high-quality EV charging solutions.
- The Veefil Home is their residential EV charger, offering various power output options and smart charging features.
EVSE Australia:
- EVSE Australia is a leading supplier of electric vehicle charging equipment in Australia.
- They offer a range of home EV chargers, including wall-mounted units with different power levels and cable lengths.
Jet Charge:
- Jet Charge is an Australian company specializing in EV charging solutions.
- They provide a range of home charging products, including wall-mounted chargers and portable chargers.
$1,100 EV charging grant!
The NT government is subsidising $1,000 plus GST off the price of your EV charger and installation. Ask us for a quote today!
How much will I save?
Let’s say that currently you are driving a mid-size fuel gussling vehicle, the web says the average car consumes 8 litres per 100km’s, at todays fuel prices ($2 per litre) you are looking at a cost of $16 for the full 100km trip.
Using the example of the Tesla Model S, and powering it 100% with your solar system you can drive the full 100km’s using 17.5kWh of your solar production – that is all completely free! Just make sure you have enough left over to power your home too, that makes picking a system size that has a bit of buffer room. Tell one of our sales rep about your EV and we can factor that into our recommendation
Short answer: You can run your EV completely free, saving the entire fuel amount of $16 per day! Just depends how much you drive!
Conclusion
Running an electric vehicle (EV) for free with solar power compared to paying for expensive fuel is a compelling choice that combines economic savings with environmental benefits. Over time, the savings can be substantial, making EVs a more economical choice for budget-conscious individuals.
Relying on solar power for your EV means you are less susceptible to fluctuations in fuel prices. Unlike gasoline prices, which can rise and fall dramatically, the cost of sunlight is consistent and predictable. This provides a level of energy independence, reducing your vulnerability to external factors that affect fuel prices.
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