The EV community is like a cult. And I am a follower.
My first experience with an electric vehicle was with my wife in Langkawi, back in 2018. There was a tourist attraction called "Ecoride". There, you can experience driving a Renault Twizy on public roads. If you have never heard of it before, imagine someone placing Lamborghini type scissor doors on a motorcycle.
IT WAS AMAZING. The short drive convinced me that Electric Vehicles are indeed superior.
Instant Torque
The first time I drove the EV490 prime mover, it gave me a heart attack. There was no one around me to guide me so I had to wing it.
I drove it like anyone will drive a diesel powered prime mover. In a diesel prime mover, you will need to mash the throttle. This is to get the engine RPM high enough to provide sufficient power to the transmission to move a massive hunk of metal. When I did that to the EV490, I was met with a HUGE shove, a loud screeching noise, and of course, a need for new trousers.
You see, electric motors are responsive. Super responsive. Furthermore, they provide FULL torque from ZERO RPM. That means the instant you press the accelerator pedal, you get the full potential from the truck.
Of course, you are not going to drive everywhere shredding tyres and giving yourself mini heart attacks. What this responsiveness and power gives you is a very relaxed driving experience. Have you ever wondered why Rolls Royces have humungous V12 engines? Its not designed for you to clock 2:30 at Sepang. Its designed to give you an effortless, therefore comfortable drive. An EV does exactly that.
Silence
Electric Motors are also much quieter than engines. In the Renault Twizy, it allowed me to enjoy the morning breeze from the Langkawi mountains. In the EV490, it relaxed me to the point that I forgot I was actually operating a 10 tonne behemoth.
In any EV, the silence, again much like the Rolls Royce, makes you feel relaxed. The serene cabin allows you to just lean back and enjoy the drive.
Ecological, and Economical
In terms of energy efficiency, nothing comes close to an EV. Have you ever wondered why EVs are touted as "eco-friendly"? It is not just because they do not emit any on-road emissions. That is only half of the equation. The other part is how efficiently EVs can convert off-site emissions into movement.
How an ICE works is that it burns 'dinosaur juice' and turns it into carbon compounds. The by-product is a forceful explosion and therefore, movement. Yes, you read it right. The motion an ICE creates is just a by-product of the fuel combustion process. In an ICE, you are actually only using 25% of the actual available energy.
In an EV, you will be utilising 50% of the available energy if your region's power station is a Combined Cycle Power Station, which is used in Singapore. Yes, its still nowhere near 100%, but its a 2x improvement. But what really brings the point of EVs home is its ability to utilise renewable energy.
Solar power and wind power, the 2 most reliable and sustainable way of generating electricity, can be used to power our EVs. Can petrol or diesel vehicles do that? No chance. The higher efficiency and ability to use renewable energies also mean that it is cheaper to power an EV compared to an ICE vehicle.
With increased deployment of renewable energies, we can truly shift from our reliance on carbon emissions for our everyday lives. That is why EVs are touted as "eco-friendly".
Try it. Seriously. You need to try it.
If you have never tried one, you have to. But don't then blame me for your burning desire for one. It certainly made me crave changing to one. More on that next time.
-Ryan, Director, EcoSwift
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