Electric cars in our everyday life: 200.000 kilometers of experience from a Parkl colleague

Sustainable mobility is no longer only important from an environmental point of view, but it is also becoming an increasingly logical economic decision, especially in the business world, where 69% of companies with corporate vehicles have reported having at least one electric vehicle (EV) in their fleet. Parkl’s goal is to ease this transition with its digital, integrated solutions, whether it’s smart charging management, fleet management, or the development of charging networks.

Although electric cars are not a new technology, many misconceptions still persist for example, that all EVs are expensive, charging takes too long, or that range is severely limited, all of which Péter also empathised during his interview. According to his experience, people around him tend to express similar concerns. However, these myths are being increasingly disproven by everyday use and the development of infrastructure: today it’s possible to travel comfortably not only within cities but also across countries in an electric car, thanks in particular to the charging networks that have recently been expanded with Parkl’s roaming options. 

We spoke to our colleague Péter about the topic, who believed in electromobility even back when many people couldn’t yet imagine just how popular electric cars would become in the future. 

6 years, 200.000 km, but what does daily driving look like for you today?

PP: Six years ago, we replaced our petrol car with an electric Nissan Leaf. Since then, we’ve driven 200.000 km with it: not only in Hungary, but abroad too, for example in Croatia and Italy. 

The Leaf was our first “all-purpose” electric car: for daily use, domestic and international travel, and everything else one might need a car for. Then six months ago, we replaced it with a Tesla, mainly because of the longer range and the more advanced onboard system. 

The maintenance costs of electric cars are incomparable to petrol cars: the price of 1.5 litres of petrol covers a fully charged battery. We can park for free in many places, we charge at home, and electric cars have far fewer moving wear-and-tear parts, so our maintenance costs are practically close to zero. 

 

When and how did your interest in electric cars begin?

PP: I first sat in an electric car about 10 years ago, and I was immediately drawn in by what I heard: cheaper maintenance and better for the environment too? That’s exactly what I was looking for. After that, I looked into the history as well: in the early 1900s, electric cars were at the peak of their popularity, in fact, they made up one-third of cars sales. Moreover, electric cars were common among taxi drivers due to their ease of handling, simple structure and lower operating costs.

Tell us a bit about your Peugeot 106! It’s a real rarity these days, right?

PP: Yes, it’s a 1998 Peugeot 106 that was stored in a garage for 20 years, so it came to me in a like-new condition with just 20 000 km on the clock. This model was one of the first truly mass-produced electric cars: reliable, easy to repair, and ahead of its time. It originally had a nickel-cadmium battery, but that was no longer usable, so I installed a new lithium-based battery, specifically, battery cells from a Hyundai Kona. 

With that, the capacity increased from 11 kWh to 28 kWh, and the range jumped from 100 to 200 km. The car also became about 200 kg lighter. From spring to autumn, I take it to events: old-timer and EV meetups, and exhibitions.

What do you think about the development of electric cars?

 

PP: The development is incredible, new electric cars are light-years ahead of the old ones. My old Peugeot charges at 2.5 kW, while 250–300 kW charging is not uncommon today. Comfort, safety systems, driver assistance functions, digital services, the leap forward is enormous on every level. 

What lies ahead: solid-state batteries, which are lighter, charge faster, and don’t contain cobalt, making manufacturing more sustainable. The safety of the cars is already very good, so I don’t expect a major leap in that regard.

How do you see the current state of the charging infrastructure?

PP: Over the past 6 years, the network has improved a lot, both in Hungary and abroad. Back then, we spent several days planning our trip to Croatia. Now, the car plans the route itself, including charging stops. It’s all become much more convenient. 

Fortunately, Parkl is actively contributing to this: we’ve installed many AC chargers across the country, so the coverage is continuously improving.

 

What advice would you give to someone who’s currently considering buying an electric car? 

PP: Many people are afraid of used EVs, mainly because of the battery, but this fear is mostly unfounded. It’s true that a full battery replacement is expensive, but in most cases, this isn’t necessary: usually only the faulty cells need replacing. Moreover, battery degradation is only around 2–3% per year. 

Today, it’s possible to buy a 10-year-old electric car in good conditions, with a range of 60–70 km, for as little as 2 million HUF – which makes them perfect as a second car. Its maintenance cost is minimal, and servicing is rarely needed. It’s a much better investment than buying a petrol car of the same age. 

You’ve been working at Parkl for almost half a year now. What is it like working here, and how do you integrate your knowledge about electric vehicles into your everyday work?

PP: It feels good to work in a team where we share not only professional goals, but also personal values. That was part of the reason I joined. I can make use of my experience in electric driving on a daily basis, whether we’re discussing new charging locations or technical matters.

Péter’s more than 200.000 kilometres of experience, his enthusiasm for both old and new electric cars, and his day-to-day work at Parkl all show that electromobility is not just a technological transition, but also a personal mission.

And what’s his message to those still considering the switch? Don’t be afraid! Get informed because the future is already here, moving sliently along the roads.