We’re not against electric vehicles as a way to address climate change as they do not add more carbon dioxide (CO2) – the gas that causes global warming. However, at this time, with the technology still expensive and issues like the recharging infrastructure, widespread EV adoption is not practical for every country.
Not everyone can afford an EV and cost aside, other issues may also make owning an EV impractical (at least for now). For this reason, carmakers like Toyota believe that it is better to have a ‘multi-pathway’ in offering ways to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles. These carmakers offer different types of vehicles to suit different car-buyers circumstances and in totality, at least some reduction of emissions can take place.
But is an EV right for you?
Is an EV right for you at this time? You wouldn’t want to commit to a loan on one and be stuck with it for many years to come and regret the move. One way to know if an EV is suitable for your lifestyle and circumstances would be to spend a short time with it, in other words ‘live with an EV’. Using one as part of your daily life will let you see whether it is suitable or not.
The car companies can only let you take a test-drive for a very short time and few would be willing to let you keep it for day, let alone a weekend. But there are now some car rental companies which have EVs in their fleet and you can rent them for a number of days to live with them. You will then be able to find out if having to find a recharging station is a hassle and whether range is really an issue.
Try an EV from RM178 a day
Avis Malaysia is one of the companies with EVs in its fleet and for those who are making their balik kampung journeys for Hari Raya or going on holiday, this is the best time to try an EV. From now until June 30, 2024, Avis is offerings its EVs from as low as RM178 a day, depending on the model. There are special rates for day-trip (up to 8 hours), daily, weekly and monthly (over 30 days) rentals and also leasing services with all maintenance costs covered.
The Avis EV fleet in Malaysia has the latest models that you’ve been reading about like the smart #1, BYD ATTO 3 and Dolphin, Audi Q8 e-tron and Tesla Model Y and Model 3. The company says it will continue to add new models to the fleet as demand is expected to grow, and help to promote a greener lifestyle.
“Responding to the latest move towards more environmentally-friendly ways of travelling, we would like to play our part and give our customers the opportunity of trying out electric vehicles,” said Mohd Syahrul Yusuf, COO of Avis Malaysia. “These Hari Raya holidays will be a great time to experience some of the latest EV models at very attractive rates.
