Hi, this is Thumb from TechSavvy.
Today I’m going to talk about my honest experience with EV charging with my EV6, which I’ve been driving since July 19th.
I’ll share my experiences with daily short trips of around 10 kilometers and occasional longer trips of 200-600 kilometers.
1. The reality of EV charging
First of all, don’t be fooled by the idea that EVs are cheap to maintain. No matter how cheap charging is, it’s not enough to offset the higher price tag that comes with being an electric vehicle.
If you’re choosing an electric car, you should be thinking about the environment, enjoying the quiet ride, and saving money and time on engine and brake consumables.
2. EV6 owners’ real-world charging experiences
My EV6 has a battery capacity of 84 kWh. My average fuel economy (all-electric) is about 6-7 kilometers per kWh, which gives me a range of about 550-600 kilometers on a 100% charge.
However, your actual charging costs may vary.
Charging rates for EVs can vary widely, especially for apartment chargers, depending on the charging provider. For example, in my experience, I use Everon chargers.
Asan Company Dormitory: 240 won per 1 kWh during late night hours (22:00~08:00)
Incheon main street apartment: KRW 168 per kWh during late night hours (22:00-08:00)
These are the same EV Everon charging providers, but the difference is even greater during daytime hours.
3. Actual charging cost calculation
Calculating the actual cost of charging
In the cheapest case (168 KRW per 1 kWh): About 12,900 won for 600 kilometers of driving
A little more expensive (240 won per 1 kWh): About 18,500 won for 600 kilometers
Maximum rate for the Ministry of Environment card (340 won per kWh): About 26,300 won for 600 kilometers
With the Ministry of Environment card, you can get a fixed rate of up to 340 won per kWh anywhere in the country.
4. The reality of charging discounts and points
Electric vehicle charging app discount events are empty
Discounts and points for EV charging? To be honest, they’re not that appealing. They’re more complicated than you might think and not easy to get. They often come with a lot of strings attached, such as having to spend the previous month with a specific credit card.
If you’re looking for a huge discount on charging or points for buying an electric car, you’re likely to be disappointed. Most of these offers are either temporary or have strings attached that don’t really help you.
You’d rather spend your time focusing on charging and driving with ease rather than trying to navigate these complicated rewards systems.
Closing thoughts
EV charging is more complicated and variable than you might think. But I don’t regret choosing an electric car, and the charging infrastructure is in place to make it easy for me. I hope you found today’s information helpful in your EV journey!