What electric vehicles are best for families?

Electric vehicles (EVs) have come a long way in terms of practicality and versatility since the first two-door Tesla. These days there’s an EV for everything, which can make it hard to narrow down your options. Here’s what to look for in a family EV – and how AGL can help you find and make the switch to your perfect car.

Range

This is how far the car will drive on a single charge. With the average EV battery capacity ​in Australia giving drivers around 400km in range, and the ability to charge your vehicle at home, this should work for most families. So one of the most important things to consider is how far you’ll drive before you can get to a charger, either on the road or at home. And with an expanding public EV charging infrastructure, whether you take reg​​​​ular family road trips, ​or you’re just running the kids to band practice and picking up groceries​, you should be able to recharge or at least top up when you need it​. With battery range of EVs available in Australia around 300km to 600km​, you can find the range that’s right for your family​. 

Technology

EV technology has come a long way over the years and we now have things like driverless technology, biometric entry and start, and the ability to add your digital car key to your smartphone wallet. Advanced driver assistance technology can help keep your family safer on the road, while digital entertainment systems and in-car charging technology can help make those family road trips more enjoyable for everyone. It’s well worth considering what technology is available that might make your life easier and more convenient when choosing an EV. 

Sustainability

Sustainability is one of the main reasons most people choose to drive an EV over a petrol vehicle. ​And studies have shown that when you’re looking at emissions over a vehicle’s lifetime, EVs have less impact than an internal combustion engine car. ​ While manufacturing processes and materials used in EV construction can create emissions, new technology is helping to reduce this. This includes using recycled or sustainable materials in their interiors or taking steps to reduce emissions created during manufacturing. Some are looking for ways to decrease their environmental impact even further – like Polestar’s net zero car. So if sustainability is a top priority for you, consider which options are the most sustainable to decrease your carbon footprint further. 

Power

When you get an EV you don’t have to compromise on horsepower. Electric vehicles are just as powerful as traditional petrol driven cars, in fact some are even more powerful. If you’re looking to tow the family caravan or transport the football team, there’s an EV out there that will be more than adequate for your needs.

Space

Space is often a priority for family vehicles – both boot space and interior space to accommodate child car seats and growing teenage legs. Fortunately, EVs come in all shapes and sizes, from simple hatchbacks to seven-seater SUVs. For bigger families, the Kia EV9 is an excellent choice. It’s a seven-seater and has ample room to fit the whole family plus the dog and the groceries. 

SUVs are a popular choice for families – with plenty of interior space to fit booster seats, school bags, musical instruments and sports equipment. Their high performance also means you don’t have to compromise if you want to head off for an off-road adventure or put your foot down on the highway. 

​​If you’re not sure which one to get, you don’t have to fully commit. With an AGL EV subscription you can choose between a number of excellent family SUVs, including the MG4, Kia EV5 and BYD Atto 3 for a monthly subscription fee. Our flexible contracts mean you can easily extend your subscription, or swap your EV after 6 months if it’s not the right one for your family. ​​​

Charging

Once you’ve decided on the type of car you want, it’s important to know where you’re going to charge it. And with Australia’s ever-expanding EV charging network, charging on the road is easier than ever. You’ll get the most value out of your EV if you have the capacity to charge at home. Here, you can choose the time of day, use solar power if you have it and take advantage of discount or off peak energy deals. With our Night Saver EV plan you  get discounted charging between 12 and 6am, which could mean a full charge for as little as $5* overnight. And the convenience of charging your car while you sleep means no frantic morning stops at the petrol station when you wake up to a near-empty petrol tank.  

*Estimated charging cost based on a Tesla Electric Vehicle Model 3/Y RWD standard range with a 62kWh usable battery and a usage rate of 8c/kWh applicable from 12 to 6am. The charging cost may be greater for other electric vehicle types or battery sizes. The Night Saver EV rate is variable and may change with written notice to you.

Savings

And now we’ve mentioned cost-effective charging, we have to talk about the general potential cost savings of owning an EV. Something we’re sure will appeal to every family. Charging at home and using solar can provide considerable cost savings when compared to buying petrol. And maintaining an EV also costs less, because there’s less moving parts to service.