WELLNESS | LIFESTYLE

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HHAVING your house closed up during winter may have kept out the cold but it also kept in stale air and mustiness. Now that it’s warm outside you can fling open the windows, but to help nature along why not burn some fragrant candles?

Your olfactory nerves (that’s the industrial site inside your nose) are very sensitive and responsive to smell. They will identify and interpret a smell then send signals to other parts of the body which react accordingly: salivate if it’s a tasty aroma; wince if it’s pungent; smile if it stirs a pleasant memory; get up and move if it’s invigorating.

One easy way to introduce a fresh, summery fragrance into your home is by burning scented candles. Soy candles are best as they are natural and contain no harmful substances. They also burn more slowly and therefore, longer.

Palm Beach has a quality range of soy candles in delicious scents that will make your indoor space inviting and uplifting. Palm Beach Candle - Summer Scent Range - Standard Candle $42.95 Scents - Linen, Sea Salt, Lilies & Leather

Stockist - palmbeachcollection.com.au or your nearest Myer

Stockist - palmbeachcollection.com.au or your nearest Myer Palm Beach Candle - Summer Scent Range - Standard Candle $42.95 Scents - Linen, Sea Salt, Lilies & Leather

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While Europe, particularly France and Norway, are aiming at having EVs T THERE may be some seemingly obvious reasons why EVs aren’t taking off in this country. They’re more expensive to purchase than their petrol equivalent (currently there is no government funded subsidy in place to encourage the purchase of EVs here, unlike absolutely everywhere else) and EVs have famously short able. The gold standard is a wall-mounted box that can be installed in your garage - manufacturers and the aftermarket can sell you one. However, the trusty three pin plug is also a (much slower) option. There are also some slightly less obvious benefits to driving an (electric vehicles) and hybrids as the only new cars available by 2025, Australia seems reluctant to plug in to the technology. by Robert Everett ranges, don’t they? EV, the best being because there isn’t a loud, explode-y engine

Well, not necessarily. Battery technology is up front; they are surprisingly peaceful things to getting better by the day, as is fast charging, so tootle about in. EV “range anxiety” is becoming less of an issue. EQUALLY SURPRISING IS THE Equally surprising is the way they can pick The Hyundai IONIQ is a great example: it takes a mere 25 minutes to charge to a very usable 80% (using a fast charger). That is the time it WAY THEY CAN PICK UP SPEED. UNLIKE PETROL ENGINES, THE up speed. Unlike petrol engines, the power and torque delivery is instantaneous with an electric motor. This can make for some very spirited/ takes to sip a double-shot-decaf-extra hot-half POWER AND TORQUE DELIVERY amusing grand prix take offs at the traffic lights ‘n’ half-latté. Also worth considering is the way we use our cars. The average commute by car in Sydney is IS INSTANTANEOUS WITH AN ELECTRIC MOTOR. with models such as the Tesla Model 3 Performance boasting ludicrous speed (0-100 km/h in an hilarious 3.4 seconds). 15.4 kms, and if we use our trusty Hyundai as EVs also have the unique benefit of “one pedal our example, that’s a theoretical 12 days of com- driving”. Regenerative “braking” slows the car muting to and from work before you run out of “go”. down as it recoups lost energy, putting charge back into the bat-

This brings us neatly onto the issue of charging your futuristic teries as you drive. The level of ‘regen’ can often be adjusted, steed; and although we’re not quite as organised as our Euro- but effectively means in normal driving one rarely has to actually pean neighbours, our charging infrastructure is improving quickly. touch the brake as the “regen” can provide enough friction to The NRMA currently has 42 sites throughout metropolitan NSW slow the car down, often to a full stop in some cases*. and they are free to both members and non members (for now). EVs are a new way of driving, but one that is increasingly mak-

Companies like CHARGEFOX, who advertise 1400 charging ing sense to many people. As technology, range and the supportsites across Australia (with a handy app), suggest the costs to ing infrastructure improves this will only grow. recharge are as little as $0.40 per kWh. Save a polar bear, buy an EV.

The alternative to public charging stations is to charge from home, and there are options of varying cost and speed avail- * Actual braking is also highly recommended.