Governments, vehicle manufacturers and industry associations are working together to provide certification programs to allow technicians to stay up to date with the latest technology and servicing techniques.

Some example courses are included below:

TAFE NSW Electric Vehicle Bus Training

TAFE NSW EV Training Solution

Centre for U: Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

CIT Electric Vehicle Charging and Associated Equipment

TAFE QLD Hybrid and EV Skill Set

The post How is industry working with dealerships to ensure qualified technicians can undertake repairs? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

EV fires are very rare, with overseas data suggesting that petrol/diesel vehicles are around 20 times more likely to be involved in a fire compared to EVs – after accounting for differences in the market share of each vehicle type.

Importantly, most EVs have also been awarded 5 stars under Australia’s ANCAP crash testing program.

The post Are electric vehicles safe? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

Data from Sweden suggests the likelihood of an EV fire is around 20 times less likely than a petrol/diesel vehicle fire, after accounting for the differences in the market share of each vehicle type.

Here in Australia, there are only six verified EV battery fires in road-registered passenger vehicles; one was caused by arson, three were due to an external fire consequently setting the cars alight, one because it was involved in a crash, and one down to hitting road debris which penetrated the battery.

The post Are electric vehicle fires common? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

Whether retrofitting vehicles to become electric is more sustainable than buying a new electric vehicle depends on several factors, including the age and condition of the vehicle being retrofitted and the efficiency of the new electric components, amongst other things.

It is more efficient, and generally safer, to build EVs using a dedicated platform so that the maximum energy capacity can be designed into the vehicle, the batteries can be included in parts of the car’s body that are protected during accidents. This also allows for the overall vehicle to be designed to be more efficient and increase driving range.

Purpose-built EVs also take advantage of the flexibility of EV design, allowing the inclusion of extra storage, as well as larger interior cabins, since the vehicle does not have to be designed around a large internal combustion engine.

Retro-fitting vehicles to become EVs have a role to play during the transition to a zero-emission fleet, particularly in niche applications – such as mining vehicles, but is unlikely to be a significant component of the market for the average consumer.

The post Is retrofitting vehicles to become electric more sustainable? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

There are some dangers associated with extreme weather and charging. In the event of extreme weather, it is best to keep a car parked in a safe location.

Whilst there is strong regulation around the installation of charging equipment and the safety of that equipment in extreme weather, if a flood-prone area is experiencing high volumes of rain or flash flooding, it is safest not to charge. Instead, find a location away from the flood-prone area.

The post Is it safe to charge in the rain? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

After around 15 years the battery will still function but may only have around 75% of its original capacity, meaning ~75% of the original driving range. While this is likely still suitable for many owners, at this stage there are likely other general components of the vehicle that may need replacement/refurbishment e.g. suspension, similar to a 15-year-old petrol or diesel vehicle. Some EV owners may choose to replace the battery, and other general components, to extend the life of the vehicle.

The exciting thing about EV batteries is that even after 15 years of use in a vehicle, they can be removed and find a “second-life” powering homes, buildings and the grid. This is because these batteries will still hold significant amounts of energy – enough to power several houses. It also means the EV owner will be able to sell these used EV batteries for use in other applications, helping to reduce the cost of a new battery for their EV, or the purchase of a new EV.

EV batteries are expected to last another 10 or so years in second-life applications, after which they can then be largely recycled, with the captured materials being used to manufacture brand-new batteries. Research is ongoing to maximise the recovery of materials from recycled batteries, but already well over 90% of recycled battery material can be used. Eventually, it is expected a closed loop will be established, as part of a circular economy, where the batteries can be fully recycled into new batteries and other components.

Given the small number of EVs currently on Australian roads and their long lifetimes, there is not currently a significant number of used batteries for second-life applications and/or recycling. As the local fleet increases, this economic development opportunity for our country will likely emerge. This is expected to take place during the mid to late 2030s.

The post What happens when a battery is no longer fit to power an EV? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

EVs emit low levels of electromagnetic radiation called extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation. ELF radiation is a type of non-ionising radiation, which means that it does not have enough energy to break chemical bonds in DNA. The levels of ELF that EVs emit are well below the World Health Organisation’s exposure limits.

If owners have any concerns over ELF radiation exposure from an EV, it is best to discuss this with a healthcare professional.

The post Do electric vehicles emit dangerous levels of electromagnetic radiation? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

EVs, like ICE vehicles, can be driven in rainy conditions, and will not be affected by normal road water in these conditions.

Of course, there are some exceptions for off-road vehicles. Off-road EVs are increasingly being built around the world, and these vehicles can be driven through shallow water crossings, without any impact on the powertrain as all the components are sealed. That said, this kind of driving can still be dangerous and should only be attempted by experienced off-road drivers. Similar to ICE vehicles, it’s also important to check the warranty limitations when driving any vehicle off-road.

The post Can I drive an electric vehicle through water or floods? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

The post Are electric vehicles as safe as petrol or diesel cars in accidents? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

EVs still require regular maintenance, generally every two years as part of a general safety inspection. EVs also require tyre replacement similar to combustion engine vehicles.

Although some EVs have a higher upfront cost, many owners report significant savings on both maintenance and fuel, which over time bring the overall cost of the vehicle down. These lower operating costs are one of the leading reasons why many Australians have already made the switch to EVs.

The post How often does an electric vehicle need maintenance compared to traditional cars? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.