If the opinions of the experts and government are to be as they claim, the UK looks set to get ready for a complete electric-powered vehicle (EV) revolution. The battery range is getting better of electric cars, lower list prices and the development of the charging network mean that 2020 is the best year to purchase an EV. However, there are still numerous obstacles that must be overcome to run a completely electric vehicle. This is why we’ve put together this guide to see whether it’s the case that an EV is the best option for you.
The history of the EV dates back to the creation of the motor car around the beginning of the 20th Century. But the internal combustion engine quickly gained a foothold in the field of personal vehicles, and eventually the EV became a niche choice for a number of decades, being the power behind some bizarre city car concepts through the decades, as well as the classic milk float.
Then we move to now in the 21st Century, and electricity is gaining momentum as an increasingly popular power source for trucks, cars, and vans of every size. This is because regional laws are making it more difficult for car manufacturers to meet ever-higher emission goals with only petrol or diesel models alone. As a result, manufacturers are looking into alternative fuel sources, in order to cut down on harmful emissions, while providing the same general performance and range capabilities that consumers have come to accustomed to by internal combustion engine.
Pure electric cars make up a small percentage of the vehicles sold in the UK however, the number of electric cars is growing rapidly. The much more rapid increase in plug-in cars can partly be attributed to the increased number of hybrids powered by plug-ins that are currently available for sale. They feature electric drive as well as an internal combustion engine and therefore don’t be emission-free like an electric vehicle, but they are a useful temporary solution that offers the same kind of range customers expect, but also the option of driving in an electric vehicle that emits no emissions once the battery is fully charged.
Another option on the market that is a specific one than an electric vehicle – is a hydrogen-powered vehicle. They’re as pure as EVs as they utilize hydrogen fuel cells to provide power to an electric motor and the sole byproduct is water. Hydrogen cars are just as easy to fill as conventional vehicles and also have the same range as well, however, the lack of refueling stations and the high cost of these cars makes them have a very low appeal.
The problem we’re trying answer here is: can the electric vehicle be a part of your life? We weigh up the pros and cons of zero emissions driving to help you determine if an electric car is the right choice for you.
Electric cars: the benefits
Zero emissions
The major benefit of using an electric vehicle is the fact that you’re doing mile after mile of emission-free driving. While you’re moving it is important to note that the EV system is a ‘closed loop’, meaning that the battery powers the electric motor as well as powers all the electrics that are onboard but it doesn’t create any waste products.
The only time that an EV pollutes other than when the time comes to remove it when it’s being charged and even then the emissions are traced through the National Grid to the power source. If that happens to be renewable sources (solar panels, wind farm or wave power) and you are able to actually be contributing to reducing harmful emissions to the environment. Even if power is sourced from gas, nuclear or coal sources, the levels generated to charge your car are only a portion of the power station’s total pollution output.
Buy incentives
Although electric vehicles are expensive when compared to similarly sized petrol and diesel cars There are plenty of incentives to get you in the car. Most notable is the government’s Plug-In Vehicle Grant (PICG). The PICG was originally a PS5,000 grant for each low-emissions car however, it now applies to pure electric cars.
For pure electric vehicles the grant is PS3,000 but only cars with a list value of under PS50,000 qualify. In theory, plug-in hybrids may also be eligible as it’s available to all vehicles rated with CO2 emissions below 50g/km and able to travel at least 70 miles in zero emissions mode. However, there is no way that a current plug-in hybrid can meet the requirements. If you’re interested in plug-in hybrids, there aren’t any discounts offered and there aren’t any models that are eligible for the grant currently planned.
Electric motorcycles and scooters offer a PS1,500 discount, while commercial vehicles and vans that have emissions below 75g/km can have discounts of up to PS8,000 from their original price.
In addition, many car makers offer attractive finance rates on EVs to encourage users to go electric. Zero percent financing and wallbox chargers for free are all readily available to help you on your way to the world of electric vehicles. Additionally, there’s a grant available to help with the expense of installing an electric charging station at your home.
Low operating costs
Once you’ve bought an EV and you’ve got it running, your daily costs are considerably lower that they would be for diesel or petrol models. It’s common for an EV to be charged overnight and ready to be used for the next day and, therefore, you’ll be using energy at a lower price than you do during the day. It’s estimated that the total cost to load your EV at home can cost just a couple of pounds much less than it will cost to fill up a car in order for the same distance. The price will vary based of when, how, and where you charge, just like filling a petrol car at different stations for fuel however it will exceed a tenth of the price you pay for gasoline or diesel.
Tax benefits
If you’re buying privately, then an EV costing less than PS40,000 will qualify for road tax exemption. Cars over that price cost PS340 annually in road tax for the first five years, but after that, they’re exempt from road tax.
Starting on April 6th, 2020, businesses will also be able to pay zero Benefit In Kind (BIK) company car taxes on pure electric cars and the PICG remains in force for company cars. By contrast, a gasoline car that produces 100g/km CO2 will receive a BIK tax at 23 percent while diesels are four percent more expensive than petrol all over.
It’s also important to note that pure EVs are exempt from the London Congestion Charge and it’s likely that other cities will launch similar schemes in the months to come.
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Comfort
The electric motor produces a tinny whirr it is not one of the main strengths of electric vehicles. There is no need to contend with tyre, traffic noise, and wind while moving or in town all three of these will be minimal. In fact, EVs are so quiet that some manufacturers are installing sound generators to ensure pedestrians and other road users are aware of the presence of EVs when driving.
Many EVs are built to be comfortable around town So, even though the suspension has to be stiff to bear the battery’s weight, there’s a degree of comfort to the ride that is in addition to the silence. And because the batteries are normally placed low inside the car and the electric motor is smaller that an engine would, the car’s passenger compartment can be more spacious than a similar-sized petrol car.
Acceleration
Because of the instant delivery of torque from an electric motor, most EVs appear to be quite fast from the light. Simply push the accelerator and the car will sprint forward with a blast of torque. The majority of EVs are going to run out of energy once they reach the speed limit – and your range of travel is likely to be affected however, some cars like the Tesla Model S can deliver the quickest 0-60 time of less than 3 seconds when they are with their most powerful models.
Electric cars: the disadvantages
Charging points
The most significant drawback of owning an electric vehicle is that you have to charge it. Every EV offered for sale comes with a domestic three-pin plug which allows you to charge it with the mains supply some companies also offer an electric wallbox that can charge quickly when you purchase an EV. The wallbox will be connected directly to the main power source, which means it could charge an EV at a greater rate than the source that’s connected into your house.
Naturally, in order to do this, you’ll need to find a place to park your car that’s close to an electrical supply. Research has shown that the majority (over 80%) of home garages are hardly ever used for parking cars and a lot of people don’t be able to park off-street as a part of their residence, especially in cities with a lot of built-up. Add in the fact that 40 percent of people reside in rented homes, which limit the ability to fit fast-charging points, while 20% of the population live in flats, making it harder to put in an in-home charging point and you’ve got yourself a huge electric vehicle issue.
Automobile manufacturers are making efforts to support EV charging. Tesla has now Superchargers across the UK that offer fast-charging, however, it’s only available for Tesla models. In addition, Nissan and Renault EV dealerships provide fast-charging to electric vehicle owners in-person, however that’s only true in the event that you’re close to one of these locations and are generally located in industrial estates located on the outskirts of major cities.
Another option is to subscribe to a charging plan, for example, Polar EV Network, Ecotricity or Pod Point. for a monthly charge it grants you accessibility to charging stations and designated parking spaces – both on the street as well as multi-storey throughout the UK. Paying with contactless is also increasing in popularity on the main networks.
There are many of these chargers in major cities – London nearly has lots of charging stations, however there are many to be found around Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bristol and many companies have branched out to add charging points in pubs, supermarkets and at auto service centers. The network is growing all every day.
Charge time
Drivers have become used to the habit of simply filling a car up with fuel whenever and as needed. But, you shouldn’t use the same routine on an EV. When you apply this method, you’ll be suffering from extra-long journeys as you take breaks to charge your electric vehicle over a lengthy period. In this sense, it’s an attitude towards EVs the public has that must change instead of the cars themselves.
As the use of an EV is a totally new experience, it will require you to get into a new habit, but it’s one that you might be acquainted with if you own smartphones. It’s basically ahead-of-the-game planning. As long that you keep your EV connected every time you park, particularly overnight it should have enough power for you to reach your destination.
Battery range
Another limiting factor that will hinder many from driving a pure EV is anxiety about range, the fear that you won’t get to your destination without having to charge your vehicle, or that you won’t be able to charge your car once you arrive.
In its current state, a current EV has a usable range of around 150-200 miles, but car makers have their sights set on the next generation of EVs being able to cover 300 miles in a single charge.
In actuality, if you’re able plug an electric vehicle in each parking time, range anxiety shouldn’t pose a problem. The average commute to work across the UK is approximately 10 miles, so any EV can easily getting you there and back without the need to be charged up. But the bigger problem comes when you’re planning longer trips, though some makers such as BMW have plans that allow you to hire a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle if you require one for an extended trip. If you’re concerned about the range of electric vehicles, the latest plug-in hybrids might be worth considering instead.
Purchase price
Electric cars are still relatively expensive, with a price tag of approximately PS10k over a similar-sized diesel or petrol-powered car. At least the PICG helps cut costs , particularly when you consider the less expensive models available for sale, but they’re quite expensive, especially when you consider their more limited range.
Depreciation was a concern in the past too as numerous EV models losing substantial chunks of their value when it arrived to sell. This is not an issue now, with a limited supply of certain desirable electric car models helping to prop-up used prices.
Driving fun
There’s no escaping that the heavy batteries of an EV do slow down the experience of driving. Additionally, the absence of engine noises from the electric motor takes away part of the fun of driving for people who like to be involved in the process they’re driving. In addition direct drive and absence of a gearbox take away from the driving fun, making EV fans feel in a state of numbness when they think about EV driving.