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Remember when the Tesla Model S came out and the internet was alive with “Tesla vs …” videos. People were racing for pink slips and bragging rights in Macca’s carparks. It wasn’t that long ago. Suddenly, battery-electric vehicles were a fun drive! I can still remember my first test drive in a Tesla Model S — “slow right down, then plant your foot,” the sales rep told me when we were on the freeway. “There’s no one behind you,” he assured me. Wow, that was some experience. When it boils down, it is not about Trump or Musk, it is about the EV life. With great power comes lots of fun. That’s what uncle Ben told me.

Here’s just one sample of the EV power revolution: A Tesla Model S plaid vs a GM Camaro — I laughed as I watched it. The comments are a great read — all the negative comments go to the Camaro.

Now I see EV websites that are clogged with articles trying to answer the never-ending stream of FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) and/or political comment. The latest FUD rumour is about the amount of tyre dust made by those heavy, rapidly accelerating electric monsters. However, the article did later admit that the major culprits are utes, four-wheel drives, and large SUVs. But the author had to bash EVs first.

It never ceases to amaze me that people can hold two contradictory opinions at the same time, such as “no one is buying EVs, because no one wants one,” yet ”these [non-existent] EVs are destroying our roads and polluting our air!” I don’t think Norway with its dramatic transition to EVs has this problem with cognitive dissonance.

I was discussing the fun and power aspect of battery electric vehicles with my friend Arthur Hunt and he contributed this information: “Some EV models produce power and torque equivalent to a V8 car. I should justify that statement with some actual figures. The mid-range RAM 5.7L HEMI V8 engine produces 290 kW of power and 555 Nm of torque. This is more than matched by the Tesla Model Y Performance model which provides 393 kW of power and 690 Nm of torque from its dual motors.” It currently costs twice as much to register a V8 as it does a Performance Tesla in Australian states.

Even the Tesla Model 3 SR+ produces around 208 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque from its single motor. And no government boffins have yet worked this out, as an EV can be registered for the same rate as a four-cylinder car. There are some Australian states which are contemplating basing registration costs on vehicle weight. This is a sensible idea, to my mind. Costs to register an EV will likely increase at this point — things will change when this comes in.

Arthur reached out to his colleague, Peter Wolfs, former Professor of Electrical Engineering at Central Queensland University, who pointed out that there is more to the picture than just power. “There are significant performance benefits of electric motors that are not shared by internal combustion engines. Electric drives produce high levels of torque over the entire operating speed range. Two ranges exist — in the constant torque range, the motor produces full rated torque from standstill to about 1/3 top speed. It is the reason an EV can accelerate so rapidly from a traffic light,” Peter told him. “Above that is the constant power region where the EV is power limited, and, in this region, you get maximum battery current.

“In contrast, internal combustion engines have a somewhat narrow ‘torque band’ where they perform best. They need a gearbox to keep the motor in its best operating speed range. Some gearboxes have six or even ten ratios and you need a clutch function to allow slippage because the internal combustion engines cannot run at zero speed (stalled). You cannot stall an EV and they can operate at very low speeds without hesitation.

“In addition, electric drives offer very fast response times. An electric drive can reach full torque typically in 50–100 milliseconds. Internal combustion engines need hundreds of milliseconds, and more if they are turbocharged. Human response times are around 200 milliseconds. An EV responds faster than that and in human terms it responds instantaneously to the accelerator. In an internal combustion vehicle, drivers will notice the lag in response to the accelerator. Instant torque adds a significant benefit to the driving experience in an EV.”

Arthur continues: “In some respects, the global transition to EVs and the improvements in design and production are like a massive experiment, involving private owners, car manufacturers and national economies. The scope and speed of the experiment is illustrated by the fact that the number of EV models available in Australia has grown from six to 100 in just seven years.”

During that time, the penetration rate of new plug-in car sales has gone from 0.8% to 15%. Each new model spawns a Facebook page and a plethora of YouTube videos. I have often wondered who would educate the public. The automakers? The dealers? The government? No, it looks like the car owners are doing it for ourselves.

“The results of the EV experiment are being released daily as private owners report on the performance of their cars in social media, auto companies announce improvements to their models and governments adjust their policies and regulations and report growth in EV registrations.

“Two recent posts by EV owners are examples of valuable performance data about battery life and degradation that will reassure current owners and prospective buyers. The first stated: [Tesla] Model 3 SR+2021. 357,044 km, 304 km driven on one charge. Mix of highway and city driving.

“The second post stated: OK just did my battery test overnight, 11 hours. We are in Melton Victoria and it’s a 2019 SR+ with 91,800 km on it and it’s telling me 86% left. So, I now have a benchmark. When we purchased the car 6 years ago, we had a range of 364 km, now it’s down to about 326 km. for me that’s OK. Loss of 38 km in 6 years.

“Both Tesla and BYD have shown willingness to experiment with design and adjust according to customer preferences. The reversal by Tesla of the indicator stalk delete is a classic example. Getting back to the fun. It’s not just the mind-blowing acceleration. It’s all the other things you can do with an EV’s electronic technology — though I see that fossil fuelled cars are catching up on the tech.”

“Norway,” says Arthur, “is providing a national laboratory to study the impact of rapid adoption of EVs. The goal set for Norway is 100% zero emissions on new passenger cars by 2025. Registration of EVs has exceeded 80% for the past two years and has now reached almost 98%. EVs now make up nearly 30% of the national light vehicle fleet.”

“There appear to be no negative impacts on the national economy as a result of this rapid change in the auto industry in that country. Norway shows the effect of incentives which have included electric car sales being given a VAT exemption. A 50% rule also prevents counties and municipalities from charging more than 50% of the price of fossil fuel cars on ferries, public parking and toll roads. ZEV owners have been exempted from paying annual road traffic insurance tax.” For the view from inside, see my article here.

Now go outside, kiss your EV, and appreciate how it has changed your life. Remember, you can do a launch and still stay below the speed limit. Some drivers will go roaring past you, engine redlining, valves bouncing — and hopefully the police will be there to book them.