What no one tells you when buying an electric car

There are several long-term quirks that come with owning an electric vehicle (EV) that you will only learn from someone who has driven one for a long time.

We bought a GWM Ora 03 about three months ago after previously testing four other EVs — a BMW iX3, BYD Atto 3, Volvo EX30, and Volvo XC40 Recharge (renamed EX40).

Off the bat, the overall driving experience with an EV has been much better than any petrol or diesel car we drove, especially when it comes to city commutes.

Among the best features is one-pedal driving, which slows down the car when you lift your foot off the accelerator, turning the motor in reverse.

One of the other major advantages of an EV is that it runs much quieter than a petrol or diesel car, which is especially enjoyable while driving in the bush.

Vehicle engines generate noise because of the internal combustion process and many moving parts, including pistons running up and down cylinders.

The electric motors that propel EVs can be so quiet that manufacturers have to add external speakers to generate a hum for pedestrian safety.

While the quieter operation makes the car feel more refined, it also make you more aware of noises that would otherwise be hidden by engine rumble, such as completely normal suspension and brake sounds.

Another noise-producing part on an EV not found in a petrol car is the vacuum pump, which is required for building pressure to provide braking power.

Regular petrol or diesel cars do not require this component as they naturally build pressure in their engines.

A vacuum pump tends to kick in when the car starts or after you lift your foot off the brake to ensure there is sufficient pressure for the next time you want to stop.

This noise can be loud and disconcerting at first, especially in contrast to the silence at other times.

Motion sickness is a thing

Another potential issue with EVs’ silent and smooth operations is that they can exacerbate motion sickness or “carsickness” for passengers.

Motion sickness in a car is typically caused by the brain being unable to anticipate a particular change in direction or speed — which is primarily a problem for passengers.

According to William Emond, who is currently doing a PhD in carsickness mitigation at the Belfort-Montbéliard University of Technology, EVs prevent people from assimilating a vehicle’s movement.

A human brain may be accustomed to associating a revving engine with acceleration in a petrol or diesel car.

Regenerative braking deceleration also typically runs at a low frequency, which is known to be a motion sickness-inducing force.

The science of motion sickness is still not well established. However, carmakers are working on several countermeasures to alleviate the condition, including visual, auditory, and tactical anticipation signals.

Range variance can be substantial

While the range you get out of a tank of petrol or diesel can change depending on how aggressively you drive, the variance tends to be greater in an EV.

A general rule of thumb is that you should get around 80% to 90% of the claimed WLTP range with an equal balance of slower urban driving and highway travelling.

Our Ora 03’s battery has a claimed range of 400km, and we have been achieving around 360km (88%) on a single charge with a roughly 60/40 split between urban and highway driving.

However, on one long-distance road trip, the maximum range dropped to around 280km — just 70% of the claimed figure.

It is safe to assume that highway-only driving will cause you to lose about 30% to 40% of your battery’s claimed range, especially at South Africa’s maximum speed limit of 120km/h.

Changes in elevation can also have a more significant impact on EVs than petrol or diesel cars, as regenerative braking becomes a factor when going downhill.

Close the flappy door

Lastly, a small thing that can take a while to get used to but may be essential is closing your charging port’s door or flap after unplugging.

When refuelling your car, this responsibility typically falls to the petrol attendant, who should be more accustomed to closing the cover.

While some EVs have alert systems to warn when you have neglected to close the door, even some higher-end models lack this.

There are various protective features built into the ports to prevent deliberate abuse of the port or accidental injury.

However, it is inadvisable to expose the port to the elements for long periods. Dust and water tend not to mix well with electricity and can mess up the charging process.

In one case, we had left the charging port open before a downpour, which let some water into the port area.

Fortunately, the ports are designed to keep moisture out, and we could clear the water with a cloth and vacuum without causing any damage.