You’ve done the research. You’ve crunched the numbers on the novated lease. You’ve even picked the colour. Now, you are standing in the dealership car park, key fob in hand, ready for the moment of truth: The Test Drive.

If you have driven petrol or diesel cars your whole life, the next 10 minutes are going to feel… strange.

It isn’t just that the engine noise is gone. It’s that the entire sensory feedback loop of driving—the vibrations, the gear shifts, the coasting—has been rewritten. For first-time electric vehicle (EV) buyers, this can be disorienting. You might even think the car is broken.

Relax. It’s not broken; it’s better.

At EV Evolution, we believe the test drive is where the logic ends and the emotion begins. To ensure you don’t panic when the car brakes itself or refuses to “start,” here is your checklist of the 5 things that will feel weird at first—and why you will eventually love them.

1. The “Sit and Go” (Where is the Start Button?)

You climb into the driver’s seat. You buckle up. You look for the “Engine Start” button.

If you are test-driving a Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2, or Volvo EX30, you won’t find one.

The Weirdness:

There is no ignition. There is no button to press. The car detects the phone in your pocket and the weight of your body in the seat. The dashboard simply lights up. To leave, you just put your foot on the brake, shift to ‘D’, and drive away.

The Evolution:

It feels wrong for the first week, like leaving the house with the front door unlocked. But once you get used to it, the idea of “turning a car on” feels archaic. You just get in and go.

(Note: Brands like BYD, Kia, and Hyundai generally keep the traditional “Start/Stop” button, offering a more familiar transition for traditional buyers.)

2. The “Invisible Hand” (Regenerative Braking)

This is the big one. You lift your foot off the accelerator to coast up to a red light, but instead of rolling freely, the car feels like it’s driving through thick mud. It slows down aggressively, maybe even coming to a complete stop, without you touching the brake pedal.

The Weirdness:

This is Regenerative Braking. The electric motors have switched from “spinning” the wheels to “resisting” them, turning your momentum back into electricity and dumping it into the battery.

The Evolution:

It feels jerky for the first 10 minutes. Your passengers might get motion sickness if you aren’t smooth. But give it an hour. You will learn to modulate the throttle, lifting off gently rather than snapping your foot back. This is called “One-Pedal Driving.” It saves your brake pads, extends your range, and makes peak-hour traffic significantly less tiring.

3. The Sound of Silence (And the Spaceship Hum)

You press the accelerator. You expect a rev flare. You get… nothing. Just the sound of tyres on tarmac and wind rushing over the mirrors.

The Weirdness:

At low speeds (under 30km/h), you might hear a strange, futuristic “hum” or “whirring” noise outside. This is the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS)—a legally mandated noise to stop you from sneaking up on pedestrians. Inside, the lack of engine vibration can make other sounds—like a rattling drink bottle or wind noise—seem much louder.

The Evolution:

The serenity is addictive. You arrive at work less stressed. You can whisper to your passengers on the highway. The “soul” of the car isn’t in the noise; it’s in the calm.

4. The “Torque Snap” (Merging Anxiety is Gone)

In your petrol car, if you want to overtake, you stomp the pedal. The gearbox kicks down, the turbos spool up, the engine revs, and then you go. There is a 2-second lag.

The Weirdness:

In an EV, there is zero lag. You ask for 100% power, and you get it instantly. In a powerful EV like a BYD Seal or Tesla Model 3, stomping the pedal can snap your head back against the headrest.

The Evolution:

It changes how you drive. Roundabouts and highway merges are no longer stressful calculations of momentum. You spot a gap, you press the pedal, and you are in the gap. It is the ultimate safety feature.

5. The “Indicator Hunt” (The Roundabout Struggle)

If you are test-driving the new 2025 Tesla Model 3 (Highland), prepare for a specific challenge. Tesla has removed the indicator stalks entirely.

The Weirdness:

To indicate left or right, you must press buttons on the steering wheel. On a straight road, it’s fine. On a small Australian roundabout, when the steering wheel is upside down and you need to indicate left to exit, your brain will short-circuit trying to find the button.

The Evolution:

This is one feature that remains controversial. While owners say you adapt after a few weeks, for a 20-minute test drive, it will feel clumsy. Be prepared for it.

🇦🇺 EV Evolution Verdict: Embrace the Strange

Driving an EV isn’t just “driving a car with a different fuel.” It is a fundamental shift in operating logic.

When you take that test drive, don’t just check the cupholders.

• Test the Regen: Can you stop the car without touching the brake?
• Test the Silence: Turn the radio off. Is the wind noise annoying?
• Test the Tech: Can you find the indicator button while turning?

The first 10 minutes will feel like learning to drive all over again. The next 10 years will feel like the future.🤖 Join the Evolution: Which Car Fits Your Style?

Not everyone wants “One-Pedal Driving.” Some people want a car that coasts like a Camry. Do you know which EVs allow you to turn regen off completely?

Don’t buy a car that fights you.

At EV Evolution, we have trained our AI-Powered Chatbot on the driver settings of every EV in Australia.

Ask the Chatbot today:

• “Which electric SUVs allow me to turn off regenerative braking completely?”
• “Does the BYD Atto 3 have a traditional start button or is it keyless?”
• “List the EVs under $60k that feature true One-Pedal Driving (bringing the car to a full stop).”

About EV Evolution

EV Evolution is the leading online platform dedicated to Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts. We foster a vibrant community, delivering essential EV news and insights, and enhancing user engagement through our innovative, AI-powered chatbot for dynamic discussions. Our mission is to empower Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts by fostering a vibrant, AI-driven online community that connects, informs, and advances the nation’s electric vehicle landscape.