Who are eLink?

eLink are a Falkland Islands based and owned company dedicated to delivering holistic renewable solutions including electric vehicles, charging, and renewable power.  We fundamentally believe that the time to transition to a cleaner world is now.

Renewables

The Falkland Islands has an abundance of renewable energy resource. We offer a comprehensive service of  installation and maintenance of wind and solar systems

Electric Vehicles

We are extremely proud to offer electric cars, vans, motorbikes and UTVs  for lease and sale in the Falkland Islands – as this industry grows we will continue to expand our range of vehicles and chargers

ISO Standards

 eLink are the first local company to hold ISO 9001,14001 and 45001.  Demonstrating our leading commitment to environmental stewardship and international standards

The KIA e-Niro Electric Vehicle (EV) trial which began in June 2021 was a success, with generally impressive unpaved road performance, higher than expected range, and fantastic response from the test drives, over the last several years these cars have continually proven themselves as a practical alternative to a traditional diesel or petrol car. 

eLink are happy to deliver transport solutions for other sectors including, commercial vehicles, offroad ATV and other specialist  custom vehicles.

We are able to supply EVs landed in the Falklands at an unrivalled value, no matter the brand or model. If you are interested in driving electric, get in touch.

 

Electric Vehicles FAQ

Are they actually better for the environment?

Yes.  Over the lifetime of an EV will have significantly less detrimental impact on the environment than a traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) car across the whole range of measures, from emissions, to mining/oil drilling, to manufacturing impact.  If you also use renewable energy to charge then the reduction in impact is huge! Have a look here for more information: Report on Lifetime Emissions

So yes, by driving an EV you can be confident that you are making a positive choice to reduce your impact on the environment.
Are they still cleaner when run on diesel generated electricity?

The data on this is clear and shows that electric vehicles are still cleaner than their combustion engine counterparts even when completely powered by non-renewable power generation such as diesel or coal.  Have a look at this explanation which specifically talks about the US, but is a good overall view too: Engineering.com story.  In this example the worst US region is used for the low renewable scenario which is the MROE region (more info here: MROE power profile) which generates over 64% of electrical power from COAL, and another 22% from Gas.  The Stanley Power supply is substantially cleaner than that, and may camp settlements will generate a significant amount from renewable sources.

Are EVs cheap to run?

Yes. (At a diesel price of 81p per litre and electricity price 34p per unit – NOVEMBER 2023) the Kia e-Niro will cost you between 8p-10p per mile which is typical of EVs of this type. A typical diesel car (Toyota Prado) will cost between 13p-20p per mile under the same conditions.

Are they practical?

Our first EV offering is the Kia e-Niro which has huge storage for a car in this class with 1405 litres vs 1488 litres for a Mitsubishi Shogun both with the seats folded down. It also has great cabin storage with large cubbies where gear lever and handbrake would normally be. It also rated the highest by Auto express within its price range for passenger comfort and leg room, including isofix points for child seats, and will comfortably seat 5 adults.

We could go on about how much we love the Kia e-Niro, but why not come and have a look, and even take a test drive to see for yourself what driving electric is all about, and why we think this car is the best option right now.

On a more general note there are many less moving and lubricated parts in an electric car so the wear and tear is significantly reduced, which in turn means that the maintenance costs are much lower; an industry standard comparison indicates that electric cars are 25% cheaper to maintain.

Range is of course a common question, we are undertaking a large number of tests to ensure that our cars range is well understood and that there will be suitable charging facilities around the Falklands to ensure you can use the cars however you see fit.  If you have any questions, or want to take a drive in one of our cars please Contact Us

What’s the difference between an electric car and a hybrid? And why aren’t you doing hybrids?

The main difference is that in a battery electric vehicle (BEV) has no internal combustion engine (ICE) at all, where as a hybrid has a smaller engine than an equivalent ICE car and a smaller motor and battery than a pure battery electric vehicle.
We only offer fully electric cars – as we feel that hybrids offer less benefits than fully electric vehicles, and also do not offer any substantial benefits over continuing to run an existing ICE car.
There is also additional maintenance with hybrids – having two interconnected systems, whereas BEV have only one much simpler system than either hybrid or ICE cars.
Furthermore recent studies have also shown that hybrids have been disappointing in terms of reducing carbon emission and improving driving economy, so that is another good reason to go for fully electric which has been shown to not only deliver better fuel economy, but also reduced maintenance costs, and improving air quality.

Are they easy to charge, and can I do it at home?

On a wall charger it couldn’t be easier, simply plug your car into the socket (contact us for information on installation of a wall box) using your included type 2 charging cable. This will be fast and use £2.40 of electricity an hour and take about 9 hours to charge from completely empty (not that you should ever get to completely empty).
They can also be charged from as normal 3 pin household socket using the charging cable provided with the car. The car will draw about 75p worth of electricity an hour and an hours charging will give you about 10 miles of range. Fully charging your car from completely empty will cost approximately £21.75 (regardless of the charging speed) and take about 27 hours on the 3pin socket. (all figures using Kia e-Niro 4+ as an example) 

What happens if I run out of charge?

As your car runs down the battery there will be several warnings that you need to find a charger, and the car may limit your speed to preserve your range as much as possible. If however you do find your car has completely run out of battery – a recovery service should be available to either put your car on a trailer, or put some charge into the battery from a generator to get you back to a charging point. More details on this soon.

Are they more dangerous in an accident?

For nearly all situations EV’s would be the same as a typical combustion engine car, and will vary from model to model but the overall safety to people in the vehicle is slightly better in an EV. How safe are electric cars? – Autocar report
There is an element of protection offered by the main battery armour under the car which a similar ICE car would not have.
We are working closely with the Fire and Rescue Service here to ensure that they have the most up to date first responder information on our EVs, and have plenty of opportunity to examine, train, and familiarise themselves with our EVs.

What happens if the main battery needs replacing?

Modern lithium ion EV batteries have been shown to last much longer than early versions, with current EV batteries predicted to actually outlast the rest of the car in many cases, which includes a recent report for the battery health in various EVs which is worth a look: Battery health comparison
The excellent news for us is that batteries last better in cooler climates (but not too cold), and the slower charging rates available in the Falkland Islands will also help to prolong the life of the battery. Our vehicles are selected to ensure that they are some of the best in the world for battery longevity, comparable to industry leaders Tesla.

Aren’t they very expensive?

On a like for like comparison EVs are currently more expensive than their equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart (Nov 2023). However this is changing rapidly, and second hand EV are now similarly priced to equivalent ICE cars. By 2026 it is anticipated that many new EVs will be the same or possibly cheaper to buy than their equivalent ICE car as the cost of batteries continues to drop, and by 2027 it is predicted that all EVs will be cheaper to produce. Guardian story – EVs cheaper by 2027

So why get one now?

This is a great time to transition to an EV –  so that you can realise the benefits of driving an EV today. EVs have been shown to retain value well even as new technology comes along so purchasing for the long term is a valid option.
The leasing model is a simple arrangement and will give you the freedom to use the vehicles as you wish with a clear agreement between the customer and leaser. Both business and personal leasing are available through us with a variety of options to suit each customer.

Can I charge it in the rain?

Yes absolutely. The waterproof rating of cars and chargers is very high, and unless you are actually completely underwater you will be fine; with both chargers and car systems containing multiple safety systems to ensure charging is safe.

Sustainable. Adaptable. Innovating.

These three words capture the eLink business philosophy.  We are dedicated to sustainable activity in the Falkland Islands underpinned by an overarching focus on people, ISO standards, and environmental protection.