If the opinions of the experts and government are to be believe according to the experts and the Government, the UK looks set to prepare for an all-out electric-powered vehicle (EV) revolution. Improved battery capacity of electric vehicles along with lower list prices and the growth of the charging infrastructure mean that 2020 will be the most successful year yet to buy an electric vehicle. However, there are still lots of hurdles for running a 100% electric car. Therefore, we’ve created this guide to help you determine whether it’s the case that an EV is the right choice for you.
The history of the EV is traced back to the beginning of the motor car at the start of the 20th century. But it was the combustion engine that eventually was the main power source for personal vehicles, and eventually the EV became a popular option for many decades, seen powering a few oddball city car concepts through the decades, and of course the good old milk float.
Now, fast forward to into the 21st Century, and electricity is becoming a mainstream power source for cars, vans and trucks of every size. This is because regional laws are making it harder for car manufacturers to meet ever-higher emission standards with diesel or petrol-powered models on their own. This is why manufacturers are looking for alternative fuel sources with the aim to reduce harmful emissions, while offering the type of multi-faceted performance and versatility that buyers of cars have grown familiar with from internal combustion engines.
Pure electric vehicles only represent a small portion of vehicles sold in the UK and the rate of adoption is growing rapidly. The more significant increase of plug-in vehicles could be due to the increasing amount of hybrids with plug-ins that are on the market. These hybrids feature electric drive and internal combustion engines but don’t emit zero emissions like an electric vehicle, but they’re a good alternative that can provide the kind of driving range consumers expect, and also the option of driving in an electric vehicle that emits no emissions after the battery has been fully charged.
Another product that is available – but an even more specific one than an electric vehicle one is a hydrogen-powered vehicle. They’re as pure as EVs due to the fact that they use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity for an electric motor, and the primary byproduct is water. Hydrogen cars are as fast to fill as conventional vehicles and have a range similar as well, however, the lack of fueling stations as well as the price of these cars means they aren’t very popular.
The issue we’re trying to address this time is: how can an electric car fit into your lifestyle? We evaluate the pros and cons of driving without emissions to help you determine whether an electric car is the best car for you.
Electric automobiles: the advantages
Zero emissions
The big attraction of an EV is the fact you’re able to do miles and miles of emissions-free driving. When you’re on the move, the EV system is a closed loop’. This means that batteries drive the electric motor and power the electrics on board and doesn’t create any waste material.
The only time that an EV pollutes other than when you decide to scrap it is when it’s being charged, and even then , the emissions are traced back via the National Grid to the power source. If that happens to be renewable energy source (solar panels/wind farm/wave power) the chances are that you’ll truly be contributing to less pollutant emissions to the atmosphere. Even if the power source is from gas, nuclear or other sources of coal, levels generated to charge your car are only a fraction of the power station’s overall emissions of pollution.
Buy incentives
While electric cars are expensive when compared to similar larger diesel and petrol cars however, there are plenty of incentives to get you on the road. One of them is the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG). The PICG was once a value of PS5,000 for every vehicle with a low emission but now it only is available to electric vehicles that are pure.
For pure electric cars the amount of grant is P3,000 however, only cars that have a list price under PS50,000 qualify. In theory, plug-in hybrids might also get the grant because it’s available to all vehicles rated with CO2 emissions below 50g/km that can travel at minimum 70 miles while in zero emissions mode. However, no existing plug-in hybrids meet the requirements. If you’re looking at the possibility of a plug-in hybrid, it is important to note that there’s no discount available and there are no models that could qualify for the grant being considered at the moment.
Electric scooters and electric motorcycles are eligible for discounted prices of around PS1,500. vans and commercial vehicles with emissions of less than 75g/km are as much as PS8,000 off their original price.
In addition, many car makers offer attractive finance rates on EVs to convince you to take the plunge. Zero per cent finance and no-cost wallbox chargers are all available to help you begin your journey to the electric driving experience. Additionally, there’s a grant available to assist with the cost of putting in a charging point at your home.
Low operating costs
Once you’ve bought an EV and you’ve got it running, your daily costs are significantly lower than they are for diesel or petrol models. It’s common for an EV to be charged overnight and ready for a day’s use which means that you’ll use electricity at a lower unit price than you do during the period of the day. It’s estimated that to fully load the EV at home, it will cost less than a few dollars, which is significantly less than what it would cost to fill up a car in order for the same distance. This cost will vary depending on the method, time and in what location you are charging, as with filling up a gasoline car at different stations for fuel however, it will be more than a tenth of what you’d pay for petrol or diesel.
Tax benefits
If you’re buying privately an electric car that is priced less than PS40,000 will qualify for road tax free. The higher price cars cost PS340 per year on road taxes for the first five years, but after that, they’re road tax exempt.
From April 6th 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. Comparatively, a petrol car that produces 100g/km CO2 will incur an BIK tax of 23 percent and diesels will be 4 per cent more expensive than petrol in all respects.
It’s also important to note that pure EVs are exempt from The London Congestion Charge and it’s likely that other cities will implement similar schemes in the years to come.
Comfort
The electric motor produces a tinny whirr it is not an important EV strength. There is no need to contend with tyres, traffic noise, and wind when you’re on the move when you’re in town , these three will be minimal. 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.
Many EVs are built to be comfortable in the city, so while the suspension needs to be firmly sprung to support the load of the batteries, there is a certain level of comfort to the ride which goes hand-in-hand with the silence. Additionally, since the batteries are typically installed low in the car and the motor is smaller that an engine would, the cabin offers more room than a comparable petrol vehicle.
Acceleration
With the instant torque release of an electric motor, most EVs feel surprisingly quick away from the lights. Just press the accelerator and the car is able to sprint forward with a blast of torque. The majority of EVs will lose energy once they reach the speed limit. And the range of driving will take a hit also. However, vehicles like the Tesla Model S can deliver sub-3 seconds 0-60 with their most powerful models.
Electric cars: The drawbacks
Charging points
The main drawback to having an electric vehicle is that you have to charge it. Each EV that’s on sale comes with a three-pin domestic outlet which allows you to charge it via the mains, while many firms offer an electric wallbox that can charge quickly when you buy an EV. The wallbox is connected directly to the main power supply, so it will charge an EV at a higher speed than the power supply that is connected to your home.
Of course, to accomplish this, you’ll need a place to park your vehicle that is near an electrical source. The research shows that the majority of domestic garages are not used for parking cars and a lot of people don’t be able to park off-street as a part of their property, especially in built-up areas. Also, consider that about 40% of the population lives in rental homes, which limits the capacity to install fast-charging points – and that around 20% of the population reside in flats, which makes it even tougher to fit a domestic charging point – and you’re dealing with a serious EV issue.
Car makers are doing their bit to support EV charging. Tesla has now Superchargers in the UK which offer fast charging, however it’s only available to Tesla models. In addition, Nissan and Renault EV dealerships allow fast charging for electric vehicle owners in-person, however this is only a benefit if you happen to be close to one of these locations, which are usually on industrial estates on the outskirts of cities.
The other option is to subscribe to a charging scheme like Polar EV Network, Ecotricity or Pod Point. For a monthly cost that grants an access point to recharge and dedicated parking spaces – on-street and multi-storey in the UK. Payments made using contactless are becoming much more widely available on the main networks.
There are many of these chargers located in cities with major populations – London nearly has lots of charging stations, however there are plenty to be located in Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bristol and many companies have begun to offer 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 adding gasoline as and when they need. But, you shouldn’t apply the same method on an EV. If you do, you’ll be having to endure longer travel times as you stop to charge your EV up over a lengthy period. In this case, it’s the perception of EVs the public has that has to be altered, rather than the car itself.
Because the use of an EV is a totally new experience, you’ll need to adopt a brand new habit, and it’s one that you might be familiar with if you own a smartphone. In essence, it requires some pre-planning, and as long that you keep your EV connected every time you’re in a parking space, especially over night and in the evening, it will have enough battery life in order to get you to the destination you want to go.
Did you know? You can find more stories like this over on this car blog.
Battery range
Another limiting factor that will prevent many from driving an EV in a completely electric way is the fear of range – the fear that you either will not be able to reach your destination without charging your car up, or that you won’t be capable of charging your car upon arrival.
The current design means that a modern EV has a practical range of between 150 and 200 miles. But car makers are hoping for the next generation of EVs being able to cover 300 miles between charges.
In the real world, if you’re able plug an electric vehicle every time you park, then range anxiety shouldn’t pose a problem. The typical commute for drivers across the UK is approximately 10 miles, which means that any EV is capable of getting you there and back without needing to be charged up. Of course, the bigger problem comes when you’re planning longer trips, though some manufacturers such as BMW offer plans that permit you to hire a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle if you require one for a long journey. If you’re concerned about electric range, the latest plug-in hybrids might be worth a look.
Purchase price
Electric cars remain expensive, with an average of PS10k when compared to a comparable petrol or diesel powered car. The PICG helps cut costs , particularly for the cheaper models on sale, but they’re still quite expensive, especially when you consider their smaller range.
Depreciation was a concern in the past in the past, with numerous EV models losing significant chunks of their value when it arrived to sell. This is not an issue now, with a limited supply of some desirable electric vehicle models that help prop-up used prices.
Fun on the road
It’s not difficult to see that the heavy batteries of an electric vehicle do dull the driving experience somewhat. Additionally, the absence of engine noise from the electric motor removes the excitement of driving for those who prefer to become involved in what they’re driving. In addition the direct drive as well as absence of a gearbox detracts from the enjoyment of driving, therefore, EV drivers feel bored by the idea of EV driving.