If the advice of experts and the government are to be taken seriously the UK is likely to prepare for an all-out electric car (EV) revolution. The battery range is getting better of electric vehicles as well as lower prices for list items and the growth of the charging infrastructure mean that 2020 will be the most successful year to purchase an electric vehicle. But there are many obstacles when it comes to running an EV as a pure electric. This is why we’ve put together this guide to determine whether you think an EV is the best option for you.
The story of the EV goes back to the invention of motor cars at the beginning of the 20th century. But an internal combustion engine quickly became the dominant power source for personal vehicles, and the EV was a popular choice for a number of decades, as the engine behind a variety of bizarre urban car designs over the decades, as well as the milk float that was so popular.
Now, fast forward to today’s 21st Century, and electricity is growing in popularity as an energy source that is widely used by vehicles, vans and cars of any size. This is because regional laws are making it more difficult for car manufacturers to meet ever-higher emission goals with only diesel or petrol models by themselves. In the end, car makers are exploring alternatives to fuels, in order to cut down on harmful emissions, while providing the same multi-faceted performance and versatility that consumers have come to used to by internal combustion engine.
Pure electric vehicles only represent a tiny fraction of the vehicles sold in the UK however, the number of electric cars is increasing rapidly. The more significant increase in plug-in vehicles can be explained by the growing amount of hybrids with plug-ins that are available. They feature electric drive as well as internal combustion engines and therefore don’t provide zero emissions as an EV that is pure, however they can be a great alternative that can provide the same kind of range customers expect, but also the possibility of driving in a zero-emission electric mode once the battery is fully charged.
Another option on the market and a more specific one than an electric vehicle is a hydrogen-powered car. They’re as green as EVs as they utilize the hydrogen fuel cell to drive an electric motor and the only product is water. Hydrogen cars are just as easy to fill up as conventional vehicles and offer a similar range to conventional cars, however the lack of refueling stations and the high cost of these vehicles means they aren’t very popular.
The issue we’re trying to address this time is: how can an electric vehicle fit in your lifestyle? We evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of driving with zero emissions to help you decide whether an electric vehicle is the best car for you.
Electric automobiles: the advantages
Zero emissions
The main benefit of having an electric vehicle is that you’re doing miles after miles of emission-free driving. While you’re moving it is important to note that the EV system operates as a closed loop’ which means that the battery powers the electric motor, and also powers the electrics on board however it doesn’t generate any waste materials.
The only time that an EV emits emissions other than when you decide to scrap it is when it’s charged, and then, the emissions are traced back to the National Grid to the power source. If it’s renewable energy source (solar panels, wind farms or wave power) and you are able to actually be contributing to reducing pollution levels to the environment. If power comes from gas, nuclear or other sources of coal, the amount generated for charging your car are only a portion of the power station’s total emissions of pollution.
Read this auto blog to learn more…
Incentives to buy
Although electric vehicles are costly when compared with similarly size diesel and petrol cars There are plenty of incentives to help you get driving. One of them is the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG). The PICG was previously amounted to PS5,000 for each low-emissions car however, it now is available to electric vehicles that are pure.
For electric vehicles that are pure The grant amount is PS3,000 however only vehicles that have a list price less than PS50,000 are eligible. In the theory of things, plug-in hybrids can be eligible for the grant since it is applicable to any vehicle that has CO2 emissions less than 50g/km and able to travel at minimum 70 miles in zero emissions mode. However, no currently available plug-in hybrid meets the requirements. If you’re considering plug-in hybrids, there aren’t any discounts offered and there aren’t any models that qualify for the grant that is currently being planned.
Electric scooters and motorcycles can enjoy discounts of up to PS1,500, and commercial vehicles and vans with emissions less than 75g/km may have as much as PS8,000 off the list price.
In addition there are many car manufacturers that provide attractive financing rates on EVs to convince customers to consider a leap of faith. Zero percent financing and no-cost wallbox chargers are all there to assist you get started on an electric experience. A grant is also available to assist with the expense of installing an electric charging station at your home.
Low operating costs
After you’ve purchased an EV and you’ve got it running, your daily expenses are much lower than those of diesel or petrol models. It is common for EVs to be charged overnight and ready for use during the day and, therefore, you’ll use electricity at a lower cost than during the daytime. It is estimated that to fully recharge the EV at home, it will cost only a few pounds and that’s a lot less than what it would cost to fuel a car for the same mileage. The cost of charging will differ based on the method, time as well as where, similar to filling up a petrol vehicle at various fuel stations however, it will exceed a tenth of the price you pay for gasoline or diesel.
Tax benefits
If you’re purchasing privately, an electric vehicle that costs less than PS40,000 is eligible for road tax exemption. Vehicles that cost more than that amount will cost PS340 per year on road taxes for the initial five years, however after that, they’re exempt from road tax.
Beginning on April 6, 2020, businesses will also be able to pay no Benefit In Kind (BIK) company car tax for pure electric vehicles, and the PICG remains in force for corporate vehicles. For comparison, a petrol vehicle that emits 100g/km of CO2 will be subject to an BIK tax of 23 percent and diesels will be 4 percent higher than petrol in all respects.
It’s important to remember the fact that all pure EVs are not subject to charges like the London Congestion Charge and it’s likely that other cities will implement similar schemes in the years to come.
Comfort
Since an electric motor produces a tinny whirr and cabin comfort is an important EV strength. It is only necessary to deal with tyres, road and wind noises when you’re on the move or in town , all three are pretty low. Actually, EVs are so quiet that some manufacturers are installing sound generators to make sure motorists and pedestrians are aware of their presence while driving.
A lot of EVs are made to be comfortable in the city and, while the suspension must be firmly sprung to support the battery’s weight, there is a certain level of comfort to the ride, which is complemented by the absence of sound. Additionally, since the batteries are typically placed low inside the car and the motor occupies less space as an engine does, the car’s passenger compartment can be more spacious than a comparable gasoline car.
Acceleration
Due to the instant torque delivery from electric motors, the majority of EVs are surprisingly fast from the light. Just press the accelerator and the car will race ahead on a whirlwind of torque. The majority of EVs will lose energy once they reach the speed limit, and the range of driving is likely to be affected as well. However, cars such as the Tesla Model S can deliver sub-3 seconds 0-60 when they’re in their most powerful versions.
Electric cars: the disadvantages
Points for charging
The most significant drawback of owning an electric vehicle is the need to charge it up. Each EV that is on sale comes with a domestic three-pin plug to allow you to charge it using the mains power supply and a lot of companies offer an electric wallbox that can charge quickly when you purchase an EV. The wallbox is connected directly to the main power source, which means it will charge an EV at a greater rate than the power supply that is connected directly to the home.
Naturally, in order to do this, you’ll need a place to park your vehicle that is near an electrical source. The research shows that the majority of residential garages aren’t used for parking a car and a lot of people don’t have parking off-street as part of their home, particularly in areas with built-up structures. Consider that 40 percent of the population lives in rental homes, which limits the possibility of fitting fast-charging points, while 20% of people reside in flats, which makes it more difficult to install an electric charging station in the home – and you’ve got a major electric vehicle issue.
Automobile manufacturers are taking steps to assist with charging EVs. Tesla is now offering a network of Supercharger stations throughout the UK which offer fast charging, however, it’s only available for Tesla models. In addition, Nissan and Renault EV dealerships provide fast-charging to Tesla owners who are on site, but it’s only useful when you are close to one of these locations that are typically located situated on industrial estates that are on the outskirts of cities.
Another alternative is to sign up to a charging scheme like Polar EV Network, Ecotricity or Pod Point. For a monthly cost it grants you the ability to charge points as well as designated parking spaces – both on the street and multi-storey across the UK. Payments made using contactless are getting more widespread across all major networks.
There are a number of these charging stations in cities of major importance – London is home to a lot of charging stations, however there are many to be located within Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bristol and many companies have expanded to include charging stations in pubs, supermarkets, and the motorway’s service points. The network is expanding all every day.
Time to charge
Drivers are used to the routine of filling their cars with fuel whenever and as needed. But, you shouldn’t apply the same method for an EV. In the event that you try, you’ll end up experiencing longer journeys when you take breaks to charge your electric vehicle for a long time. In this case, it’s than the impression of EVs that people are influenced by which needs to be changed, instead of the cars themselves.
Since the use of an EV is a brand new experience, you’ll need to establish a new routine, and it’s one you’re likely to be familiar with if you have smartphones. It’s basically advance planning. As long as you keep your electric vehicle connected every time you park, particularly overnight and in the evening, it will be able to take you to the destination you want to go.
Battery range
Another factor that can hinder many from driving an electric vehicle is the fear of range – the worry that you will not be able to reach your destination without charging your vehicle or be capable of charging your car once you arrive.
The current form of EV means that the current EV can be used for a range of between 150 and 200 miles, however car manufacturers are betting on the next generation of EVs capable of covering 300 miles in a single charge.
If you can plug an electric vehicle in each time you park, range anxiety shouldn’t be a problem. The typical driving distance within the UK is about 10 miles, which means that any EV can easily taking you to work and back, without having to be charged up. However, the biggest problem is when you’re taking long distances, but certain manufacturers like BMW provide plans that permit the use of a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle if you require one for a long journey. If you’re worried about the electric range, the most recent plug-in hybrids might be worth a look.
Purchase cost
Electric cars are still quite expensive, with a price tag of about PS10k over a comparable diesel or petrol powered vehicle. The PICG can reduce costs , particularly for the cheapest models available on sale, but they’re quite expensive, especially when you consider their limited options.
The issue of depreciation was a problem in the past too and several EV models losing substantial chunks of their value when it was to sell. It’s not as much of an issue now, with a limited availability of desirable electric cars helping to boost the value of used cars.
Fun in the car
It’s not difficult to see that the massive batteries of an electric vehicle can make driving a bit more difficult. Additionally, the absence of sound from the electric motor snuffs out the excitement of driving for those who want to be involved in the process they’re doing. Additionally direct drive and absence of a gearbox detracts from the enjoyment of driving, which is why EV enthusiasts feel in a state of numbness when they think about EV driving.