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The 2019 Nissan Leaf will be available in May or June next year. The much improved and revised version of this electric hatchback may just wow you.

While the pricing hasn’t been released, many are whispering that it might be very popular – the 2019 Nissan Leaf has positioned itself as the smartest and most affordable option of your shopping list. If you are keen to get your hands on an electric car, but the Tesla or BMW i3 are just a little too far beyond what you can do, then the Nissan Leaf may just be the ticket.

If you are worried about how charge your electric car – you can opt for solar power by building enough storage into your home system and managing your electricity use on the grid. The solutions are there. The Nissan Leaf  40kWh variant offers a 270km, and making it a reliable option for most commuters. The leaf will recharge overnight – and fast charge can be used as well.

The Nissan Leaf weighs 1500kg, about 200-300kg heavier than a petrol-powered hatch in the same segment. This electric hatchback offers a 110kW motor with 0-100km/h in eight seconds.

Other features will include a heated steering wheel, heated front/rear seats and featuring leather-accented trim. The Nissan Leaf will also debut Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for Nissan in Australia.

The 2019 Nissan Leaf is set to make mass-market electrification a reality and we are excited to see how it shakes up the market. 

Interested in getting your hands on one? Contact Carbiz today!

Let’s be honest – a flat battery can happen at the most inconvenient time – but it shouldn’t ruin your day! Even with our newer cars, knowing how to jump-start your car is good to have in your back pocket.

Do you know what a jump start is?

Jump-starting refers to supplementing the remaining charge in your battery with the charge from another power source – such as a car. The car with the flat battery is temporarily connected to a car with a fully charged battery via jumper cables – also known as jumper leads. 

It’s important to first determine if your battery is actually flat – turn on the ignition to start – listen for the usual cranking sound from your car’s starter motor. If your car does nothing at all (aside from a clicking noise), there’s a fair chance you have a flat battery!

We’ve put together an easy guide to help you safely jump start your car.

Step 1

Before opening the bonnet or battery compartment, make sure your transmission is set to park or neutral. At the same time make sure your park brake is firmly set. Remember to turn the ignition off before opening the bonnet and locating your battery. 

The positive terminal has a plus symbol (+) and/or red coloured marking – negative is identified with a minus symbol (-) and/or black marking. The same markings can be seen on your jumper cables.

Step 2

With another running car (perhaps a good Samaritan or friend) parked closely enough for the jumper cable to reach, it’s time to make the connections. Firstly, detangle your cables, clamp the positive terminal to the positive terminal of the flat battery to the running car and then do the same for the negative.

Be sure to check your car manual for your cars specifications – some cars require a different step such as connecting the negative cable to the engine block or another earthing point of the disabled car.

Step 3

Once the connection is made, its best to wait a couple of minutes to ensure the flat battery has enough charge. After a short time, disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order to starting. 

It’s important that after you’ve gotten your car running, to not switch it off for at least 30 minutes – enough to charge your battery properly.

It’s as simple as that! But did you know you could have roadside assistance to help you with breakdowns? Contact Carbiz today to find out how.

Electric vehicles or EVs are becoming more and more popular in Australia, and for good reason. Along with the electric highway, Australia has made advancements in EVs – making them a reality for many. Here are some things to consider when choosing your new EV.

 Range

o   What is your average daily range each day? If you are driving over 200km everyday, then consider an electric vehicle with a higher range. Range anxiety is something you can overcome by purchasing the right vehicle for you.

At home charging requirements

o   You will need to charge your EV at home. Do you have an undercover parking spot with a charging point? Will you be able to mount a dedicated EV charger near or in your garage or parking spot?

Public charging options

o   Are there available public charging options close to where you live or work? What standards do they use and will these suit the car you are looking at purchasing? Some models only support single-phase charge ports which facilitate slower charging.

Software/hardware/firmware upgrades

o   A benefit to some EVs is the ease at which their firmware and software can be upgraded. Tesla Models, for instance, can be upgraded over-the-air on a regular basis – this is done to improve the driving experience through new settings and bug fixes.

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular – if you’ve ever wanted to own one or are keen on learning more about them, then read on!

    Electric vehicles have no exhaust

o   EVs don’t produce any engine emissions – so no exhaust. Besides being environmentally friendly, another nifty benefit is how quiet they are as a result!

    Electric Vehicles are fast

o   Did someone say instant acceleration? Most electric vehicles do have their limits, however, Tesla has a top speed of 200km/h.

    You can recharge your EV from a regular home outlet

o   The convenience of EVs is that you can easily charge your car at home during off-peak times.

-       Electric vehicles require less maintenance

o   Unlike their petrol and diesel engine counterparts, the electric vehicle has far fewer pieces to maintain. Besides wiper blades, tires and other wear and tear items, EVs are less maintenance heavy than combustion engines.

    Range anxiety is a thing of the past

o   Yes, range anxiety is a real concern with some models only reaching 200km. However, Tesla boasts ranges exceeding 400km on a single charge – making range anxiety a fear of the past.

    The electric vehicle isn’t a new concept

o   The first EV was actually created in 1832, and in 1895, William Morrison developed the first electric vehicle.

Technology has definitely transformed our lives at a rapid rate – and that includes electric vehicles. Australia has made strides in electric vehicle (EV) technology, through the electric highway – a superior charging network that allows EV commuters the ability to circumnavigate Australia.

EV’s are becoming the way of the future – and the numbers are showing the growing popularity. With over 2 million electric vehicles on the road around the world. Car manufacturers are also on board – many offering hybrid options, with a select few offering fulling electric options. Tesla is of course leading the race, with superior technology and a futuristic mindset.

Many in Australia are keen to make the switch – however, price, range and infrastructure tend to be deterrents. Here are a few points which may change your mind

Price

EV’s are on a declining cost curve, electric vehicles batteries are getting cheaper and sales are increasing. Electric Vehicles are also cheaper to run that their petrol and diesel counterparts.

Range

With batteries becoming superior, their range and capacity is also increasing. This means that the range of EV’s will no longer be a concern in coming years.

Infrastructure

Charging infrastructure is a concern of many EV enthusiasts. “Range anxiety” is a concern of many interested buyers – with some EV models not able to travel the distance. However this is changing – with improvements in Australia making strides. One such improvement is the Electric highway – this network of charging stations has revolutionised the EV outlook for Australia.

Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular, and with charging infrastructure and batteries continue to improve, EVs are set to become mainstream very soon.

There are many reasons why electric vehicles (EVs) are better than their petrol and diesel counterparts.

Electric vehicles cost less to run than petrol or diesel cars

o   While EVs are currently more expensive to purchase, they are cheaper to run According to the electric vehicle council, an average EV costs around $4.50 in electricity charges to travel 100km. This is compared to $16.65 for the average petrol car in Australia.

EVs are easier to maintain

o   Unlike combustion engines, Electric cars require significantly less maintenance.

Electric vehicles are better for the air we breathe

o   EVs have zero exhaust emissions, a great plus for our environment.

EVs are convenient to “fill-up”

o   Electric vehicles are easy and convenient to refuel at work or at home. Along with the improved charging infrastructure in Australia in the form of the electric highway, recharging has become more convenient than ever.

Electric vehicles are quiet – inside and out

o   Evs have a distinct lack of noise while driving. It can even be slightly offset for the first time when you press the accelerator and there is no sound.

Ever wanted a way to circumnavigate Australia or wondered how practically own an electric vehicle without having range anxiety out of the city?

The answer – the “Electric Highway” – a three-year project that set out to have a charger near every populated part of Australia. A voluntary initiative of the Tesla Owners Club of Australia and the Australian Electric Vehicle  Association, the route now spaces 17,000km. The Electric Highway will change the way you view EVs.

Thanks to improved charging infrastructure, it is now possible to circumnavigate Australia in an electric vehicle. Remote stretches crossing the Nullarbor Plain in SA/WA, as well as the Pilbara, Kimberly and Top End, are covered with 32 amp, three phase sockets, while the eastern seaboard is serviced by the Queensland Electric Superhighway and the Tesla Supercharger network in south-eastern Australia. South-west of WA has been serviced by the RAC Electric Highway since 2015.

With all of the new charging stations over the past two years, places to charge your electric vehicle are now in abundance thanks to the Australian Electric Vehicle Association and the Tesla Owners Club of Australia’s efforts

While Electric Vehicles (EV) are increasing in popularity, there are still some myths that deter people from purchasing these cars. EVs are on the edge of a boom – mass adoption, and for good reason! Have you stopped yourself from becoming an EV owner due to the following myths

Electric vehicles have a low driving range

o   The common misperception about electric vehicles are that they won’t be able to keep up with your daily driving needs. The average driving distance from a single charge of EVs currently available in Australia is more than 5 hours of continuous driving per day. It’s estimated that the average Australian household owns more than two cars and completes about one hour of continuous driving per day (or 38km/day). Assuming you are charging your EV overnight, this would mean that your EV driving range would be more than enough. With some studies indicating that certain models, such as the Tesla S would only need to be charged once every 12 days. While everybody is different in the range per day they drive, it’s important to properly asses each electric vehicle range and charging requirements before purchasing

       Charging your EV takes too long

o   Electric vehicle technology, including EV batteries, are continuously being improved. Charging times are falling rapidly, with charging times for empty batteries taking 6 to 10 hours to be fully charged. Overnight charging is ideal for most EV owners. There are also improvements in EV infrastructure, which makes charging convenient and quick – the Australian Electric Highway is one example of the updates in infrastructure. 

       Electric vehicles are too expensive to buy and maintain

o   While some EVs are more expensive to purchase now, the costs of EVs are plummeting. The fuel versus energy cost savings vary, but are roughly 1/3^rd to 1/10^th of the cost. There are also some potential variables such as the battery life, but the technology is improving and there is limited experience currently to go on.