If you’re looking for a new car, have you considered getting an electric one? There are many reasons why people choose to adopt an eco-friendlier lifestyle and changing your cars power system can be easy and efficient. There are so many benefits to getting an electric car and there are more incentives than ever to help reduce your carbon footprint. As the UK looks towards the 2030 petrol and diesel ban, now could be perfect time to get used to an EV. The guide below has been designed to explore why an EV could be the best choice for your next car.
What are the benefits of getting an EV?
Electric cars or vans are a great way to help reduce your fuel consumption, and are environmentally friendly but what are the best reason to get an electric car?
- Zero emissions. Unlike petrol and diesel cars, electric cars don’t have a tailpipe, and this means they don’t release harmful pollutants into the environment. Your switch to an EV can help to reduce the number of harmful gasses which are released into the air
- Eco-friendly. Eco-friendly simply means environmentally friendly. Electric cars are better for the environment as don’t produce pollutants. Petrol and diesel cars give off carbon dioxide which accelerates the rate of climate change and global warming.
- Low running costs. Over the course of ownership, your EV can save you a lot of money. This is because it costs considerably less to recharge an EV than it does to refuel your traditional combustion engine with petrol or diesel.
- Buying incentives. There are many government grants that you can take advantage off to help you buy an EV. There is a scheme that gives you money off an EV and also a grant that gives you money off a home charger installation. There are also many affordable electric car finance deals to take advantage off to help spread the cost of ownership.
- Exempt from congestion charges. More cities in the UK are adopting a greener way of living and have introduced ULEZ and areas with congestion charges for driving through them. Fully electric cars are exempt from these charges as they do not release any harmful emissions.
What are EV’s like to drive?
Electric cars don’t need a big bulky engine and instead replace it with an electric motor. The electric motor is powered by batteries that can be recharged at home. Electric cars are much lighter than convention cars which makes the driving experience much nicer. The power is also transferred directly to the wheels which makes driving much more seamless. There’s no need for a noisy engine either so electric cars are very quiet and comfortable.
How do you charge an EV?
Most drivers choose to have an EV charge installed at their home. The most popular way to charge your EV is at home and overnight. It can take around 5-8 hours to charge an EV at home as it uses as lower rate of electricity but also is one of the cheapest ways to charge your EV. If you’re on the road, you can use a designed charging point to top up your battery. Many public charging points can be found at supermarkets, shopping centres and car parks. There are also super-fast charging networks available which can recharge your batter in as little as 30 minutes!
Are electric cars expensive?
It is true that electric cars usually have a higher purchase price than other cars. This is due to the modern technology involved. However, if you can afford an EV, the running costs often outweigh the price to purchase. If you’re looking to get finance, you could use a car finance payment calculator first to see how much you could borrow to fund your next car purchase. However, it’s worth noting that car finance is never guaranteed, and you may be declined for car finance for a number of reasons. It can be a good idea to check your credit worthiness before you rely on finance.
Should you consider a hybrid?
Hybrid cars are also great if you want to help reduce your carbon footprint. Hybrid cars are eco-friendly as they combine an electric motor with a petrol engine to power the vehicle. They aren’t as environmentally friendly as fully electric as they still release emissions, but it can be a step in the right direction. Some hybrids can offer around 30-40 miles of pure electric driving before the petrol engine kicks in. If you travel around this much a day, this means you could benefit from a fully electric vehicle without having to pay the higher purchase price. Getting a used hybrid car on finance can also be a good way to help keep costs low before you commit to getting a fully electric vehicle.
