The motoring world is rapidly changing. With the UK government announcing its plans for a nationwide ban of new petrol and diesel sales, there’s never been more pressure to upgrade your vehicle.
Ever since Tesla became one of the most talked-about vehicle brands around, the electric vehicle (EV) industry has boomed. Charging points have become the norm across the country, and the real-world mileage range is actually worth the price tag.
With the rise of the EV, buying options have become more attractive in recent years. So, if you are thinking of owning an electric car, now’s the time.
Here’s why we think that owning an EV has its perks.
You save money
Despite the high up-front cost of an EV, your electric car will save you money in the long run. At first glance, the government offers an attractive £3,500 ‘Plug-in Grant’ to encourage you to make the switch. Not a bad cash incentive when the cheapest EV models like the Renault Twingy price at about £11,995.
If you’re anxious about added home charging point costs, don’t be. Most are fitted for free when you buy an EV, and charging overnight will cost you around 12p per kWh – not much more than a nightlight!
What’s more, running costs are low for an EV. You will make significant savings on fuel costs, road tax, and servicing. You’ll never have to lose hours of your week waiting at a petrol station again!
Smooth sailing, well, cruising
Typically, one of the biggest worries for potential buyers is that the battery life won’t match up to your driving needs. Five years ago, we would have agreed with you, but as of November 2020, a driver is never more than 25 miles away from a rapid charge point along any of England’s A-roads and motorways.
With the impending 2030 ban on its way, the government will be rolling out £1.3 billion to bring the rest of the UKs EV infrastructure up to scale. This will mean more at home charging points and charge points in streets, car parks and motorways and roads across the nation to cope with the higher demand.
As an added incentive, today’s EVs have a much longer lifespan as their batteries are lithium-based. Alongside advances in technology, you are likely to receive a guarantee on your battery for up to 100,000 miles as well as a healthy warranty.
Worries about running out of power mid-journey have become a topical debate amongst motor enthusiasts. However, the top EV models can travel approximately 200 miles on one single charge. Some people don’t average that on their weekly commute! Like any journey, though, it is worth planning ahead to make sure you get the most out of each charge.
Workplace charging
The UK is quickly adapting to fulfil the needs of EV motorists up and down the country. To reduce at-home costs, the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme provides a grant of up to £350 to help with the costs and installation of charge points.
Then there’s the Workplace Charging Scheme, designed to support employers in footing the upfront costs and charge point installation fees. Not only does it encourage the roll-out of EVs throughout your business, but it is perfect for motorists who don’t have off-street parking.
With charge points available at home, the workplace and positioned according to demand areas, switching to an EV should no longer cause anxiety amongst motorists.
Avoid emission zone charges
Ever since the highly successful rollout of London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) scheme, the idea of bringing down toxic fume levels across the nation’s cities has become incredibly popular.
Before April 2019, when ULEZ began, 360 primary schools were within the illegal NOx limits zone. Studies showed that the high levels of NOx (Nitrous Oxide) and PM (Particulate Matter) affect lung development and make other conditions like asthma, dementia and cancer worse. The government responded with ULEZ.
Not only has the scheme improved air quality, but it has made the quality of life better for Londoners of all age groups.
Currently, to drive anywhere within Central London, you have to pay a £12.50 daily charge if your vehicle doesn’t meet the ULEZ emissions standards. So if your car isn’t a Euro 5 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel), your trip into the city suddenly looks more expensive. As you’ve probably guessed, electric and hybrid vehicles are free!
What’s more, ULEZ is now considered a world-leading initiative, and cities like Oxford, Birmingham, Cambridge, Bath, Bristol and Glasgow are all in the process of introducing their own low emissions schemes. So if you want to get ahead of the game, switching over to an EV now will protect your bottom line.
More choice than ever before
Remember the days when the Toyota Prius was the bee’s knees? Fortunately, those days have long passed, and the EV industry offers the types of vehicles that will make any die-hard car enthusiast drool.
Everyone from BMW to Mini, Nissan to Renault, Audi to Volkswagen have something to offer. Whether you like the nippy city driving experience or are more of the explorer type, there is an EV perfect for you.
The bugbears that come with commuting are also a thing of the past—no more wasting away the minutes on the petrol forecourt or making it to the office just on time! Just leave your EV on charge overnight, and away you go.
With more choice comes a far more competitive finance market. Alongside your ‘Plug-in Grant,’ you can save yourself a lot of time and money by spreading the cost over a fixed period. What’s more, bad credit car finance for electric cars makes it possible for anyone, regardless of their credit history, to climb onto the EV ladder.
So, what are you waiting for? Buckle up and take your new wheels for a spin! The EV market is on the rise, and you can’t ignore it any longer.
