How the Kia EV5 Changed One Driver’s Perspective About EVs

When Melbourne Uber driver and self-confessed car enthusiast Donford Gomes first considered switching to an electric vehicle (EV), he had his doubts.

Opinions from mates around concerns about charging infrastructure and range made him hesitant. But after experiencing the Kia EV5 firsthand, through driving it for two weeks during the Australian Open 2025, his outlook changed entirely—and the financial benefits only reinforced his decision.

A Surprising First Impression

One of the first things Donford noticed about the Kia EV5 was how spacious it was. As an Uber driver, passenger comfort is crucial, and he was pleased to hear positive feedback from riders.

“Passengers love how spacious the car is, how smooth it drives, it's pretty much noiseless,” he noted. Even on tight turns and in heavy traffic, the EV5 handled effortlessly, making for a stress-free driving experience.

Charging: More Convenient Than Expected

Initially, he assumed charging the car would be a challenge. However, he quickly realised that, with a little planning, it fit seamlessly into his routine. Public charging stations were more accessible than he'd expected, "there's quite a lot of places you can charge actually, and easily accessible as well. And we've got apps to help us (plan out your charging routine and find places that suit you)."

To make things even easier, he incorporated charging into his daily habits. In the mornings, he would leave the car to charge while he went for a run, returning to find it ready to go. “I tend to leave the car on charge and I go and do my run in the morning... I finish my run in about 40 minutes, I come back and I’m almost ready with a good amount of battery charge.”

At night, he would top up the battery at home, taking advantage of lower electricity rates to top up. This system ensured he never ran low on power during his shifts.

The Financial Perks of Driving Electric

Perhaps the biggest surprise was how much money he saved. “Even with the steep rate that I am paying (to charge at a fast-charger), I’m saving more than, you know, a hundred bucks [on fuel expenses] a week,” Donford calculated. If he relied solely on lower-cost stations, or installed an at-home charger, the savings would be even more significant.

Driving between 250 and 300 kilometres per day, he previously had to fill up a tank of petrol almost daily. With the EV5, a single charge provided about 555 kilometres of range, making the switch to electric both practical and cost-effective as a full charge could last him a couple of days with top ups at home..

Advanced Technology That Enhances the Experience

Beyond cost savings, Donford appreciated the Kia EV5’s advanced features, which made driving easier and safer. “My favourite feature in the car is the brake regeneration... As soon as you take your foot off the (accelerator) pedal, the car starts to really slow down,” he explained. "It's fantastic feature to have in a car, especially when driving through the city."

Other features, such as lane assist, facial recognition, and driver attention alerts, helped him stay focused and alert on the road.

When asked about whether the Kia EV5 has met his expectations Donford says, "I had very little expectations in the sense that I-- when you do, you probably don't want to get disappointed. But I've got to admit, as soon as I got into the car and I drove off, when I was handed the keys, it was a real pleasant surprise driving away. And as I got used to it all, it's just been amazing. So, you know, I think if there was a list of ten expectations, all boxes ticked. Tick, tick, tick".

A Complete EV Convert

After this experience, he is convinced—his next car will definitely be an EV. The Kia EV5 has proven itself to be spacious, smooth, and highly efficient, making it an ideal choice for rideshare drivers.

For anyone on the fence about making the switch, he offers a simple piece of advice: don’t let misconceptions about charging or range hold you back.

“Yes, I am an EV convert,” he said proudly. “And every opportunity I get, I have been talking it up as well.”

With the right planning, an EV is not only a smart environmental choice but a financially sound one as well. Now, he can't imagine going back to petrol.

Listen to Donford speak about his experience with the Kia EV5:

About Splend

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