DQ Solar Ready for EV Car Charging in Adelaide

Are you ready to transition your car into an Electric and Eco-friendly future? DQ can help you to transition.

DQ Solar and Electrical has seen interest in the installation EV charging stations increase exponentially over the past months.

“We have seen enquiries triple compared to 12 months ago and started to install these modern EV charging devices right across Adelaide. DQ is excited to be at the forefront of this transport revolution, and with lower vehicle running costs, I am sure the popularity of Electric Vehicles (EVs) will only increase, “said Don Quattrocci, Director of DQ Solar and Electrical.

“We can supply and install the solutions of major suppliers, and due to our decades of high quality and technically challenging electrical work, our staff has been able to service these new EV requirements very well.“ he concluded.

Transport is Australia’s third-largest source of pollution after power generation and manufacturing.

Electric vehicles provide an excellent opportunity for both environment and car-loving Australians to reduce emissions while suddenly achieving 0-60 in less than 2 seconds.

In comparison to the United States, China, and Europe, where the industry has expanded at a rapid pace, Australians have been reluctant to adopt electric vehicles, partly because the Government support that is required to grow this new EV industry has been lacking.

Concerns about how far an electric vehicle can be driven before needing to be charged, as well as a lack of charging infrastructure, have all contributed to lower than projected EV sales in Australia, but a change is in the wind.

In 2021 there seems to have been a shift in the Australian mindset towards EVs with roughly 60% of Australians saying in a recent survey that they would consider purchasing an EV as their next car. 

However, one main concern is still that the choice of vehicles coming to Australia will be limited, as long as car manufacturers feel the Federal Government has not embraced EV vehicles and the required EV charging infrastructure. 

So if consumers feel that they will not be given the same opportunity to purchase a wide range of these vehicles like other countries have, then this has a negative impact on buyer’s behavior.

The Owner of DQ Solar & Electrical Don Quattrocchi said: “Lately we have found that homeowners are sick of waiting for Federal Government directions and have decided to go for an electric vehicle like the Nissan Leaf, the Tesla model range or the new EV champions like the Porsche Taycan 4S. 

This has meant our enquiries and installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations has increased sharply and DQ can service your EV needs across the wider Adelaide.

DQ has now developed a strong in-house experience in integrating vehicle charging stations in homes or business premises in Adelaide, from Aldinga Beach to Angle Vale.

This has now become a regular DQ customer enquiry, whereas EV car charging stations were a rare enquiry 2 years ago.

As a solar, batteries and electrical installation company, DQ can, for example, assist customers in finding ways that solar power can help with EV charging.

There are 3 major elements that must also be considered when purchasing an EV.

Initial Cost(s):

1. Charging power – Different electric cars need different amounts of energy. Many EV cars use around 12 to 16kWh of electricity to drive 100km, and at DQ, they can give recommendations on how to use solar energy to offset the running costs.
   
   Also using solar power to charge EV vehicles will put less strain on the electrical grid and will help reduce vehicle emissions, it also can allow for excess solar to be absorbed instead of being exported to the grid for lower financial return.
   
   Depending on the technology and battery used, some models may charge faster than others. This is why choosing a charging station based on the car manufacturers recommendation is very important allowing for efficient fast charging. DQ can advise on which charging station is right for your needs.
2. Professional Installation – Always employ a professional to connect your charging station. They’ll look at any existing sockets and cables you have to make sure they’re safe to use before your car is fully charged.
   
   Furthermore, not all electricians are skilled in the construction of electric vehicle charging stations. Thus, you should be certain that the person you recruit is an expert in the field.
3. Reputable Supplier – There are several different EV charger manufacturers on the market, but not all of these are efficient or reputable.
   
   This is why seeking information, especially from someone like a professional installer like DQ Solar and Electrical is highly recommended as it allows for a reputable source to provide reliable information regarding a large purchase for your EV future. 

Is it worth it to consider an EV car?

Many people’s views of electric vehicles in Australia are obsolete, and we hope to speed up the transition to a new mentality. Although electric vehicles are more expensive to purchase than petrol cars, they are less much expensive to operate. EV owners will save every km they drive.

An EV driver with a 15,000km driving range will see the annual energy cost at “$723, or $1,346 less than a petrol vehicle, at a cost of 30 cents per kilowatt hour” (Available at AGL discover).

Furthermore, when EV’s are compared to petrol/diesel engine cars, it can be seen, due to a lack of a combustion engine, filters and lubricants, that they require less maintenance and are less susceptible to mechanical problems.

Not only this, electric vehicles offer a better driving experience because the vehicles are quieter, smoother, and cleaner. The quieter battery engine also eliminates the noise and heat produced by gasoline and diesel engines.

EVs are also simple to use and provide a low-effort driving experience. The inherent silence of the car while driving also minimises stress in traffic.

Experts and consumers believe that EVs outperform internal combustion engine vehicles in terms of technical performance and the overall time in years that the engine will last. All these factors combine in an overall improvement in driving experience when using an electric vehicle.

Are electric vehicles environmentally friendly?

Of course, it is known that electric cars are meant to be better for the environment, but how exactly does owning and driving an EV can benefit the environment that surrounds you?

Firstly, pure electric cars produce no carbon dioxide emissions when they are driving. This allows for reduced air pollution. Studies have found that over a year, “just one electric car on the roads can save an average 1.5 million grams of C02”. (Available at EDF. 2021).

Furthermore, the use of these eco-friendly vehicles is able to reduce the demand for fossil fuels. This is because less demand for petrol leads to less demand for fossil fuel burning which in turn can also allow for a reduction in the intensity of climate change. 

This offset in CO2 burning has to be squared against the energy required to manufacture the fuel cells, batteries and charging stations.

In past comparisons, EVs did come out ahead, as over the life of a motor car, a lot of fuel is being burned, compared to an EV – especially if the electric car is powered by a renewable energy system, located at the car owner’s home.

Can Solar Power and EVs support each other?

EV drivers can save even more if their charging station is powered by an efficient solar system, which, depending on the solar panels, may allow for free vehicle transport on top of your already low electricity bill due to the energy generated by your home solar.

If we assume that the average Australian drives around roughly 50km per day, then an average electric car such as a Tesla model would need roughly 8kWh of electricity to cover that distance. 

An average 6.6kW system in Adelaide during Summer will produce roughly 40kW a day, meaning that this system would be able to fully cover vehicle travel each day, allowing for free vehicle transport.

Continuing on this topic, with summer and higher PV solar system output in the near future, charging multiple electric vehicles with your energy systems is no sweat, especially with the right installation from DQ that allows for rooftop solar to efficiently charge your EV’s. 

With solar and a home battery, when you come home, simply plug into your solar battery which was charged by the solar system during the day. 

Then overnight smooth home electric car charging will avoid the search for still harder to find EV charging stations in the Adelaide surrounds. 

This means that your electric car charge is topped up in the morning and the vehicle will be ready to drive a long distance of 500km.

This solution, which can be installed by DQ Solar and Electrical – Ph 08 7160 0127 allows for less stress to the homeowner about a fully charged vehicle and less stress on the electricity grid.