If the advice of experts and the Government are to be taken seriously that is, the UK is likely to get ready for an all-out electric-powered vehicle (EV) revolution. The battery range is getting better of electric vehicles along with lower list prices and the growth of the charging infrastructure suggest that 2020 will be the most successful year to get an electric vehicle. However, there are still lots of hurdles when it comes to running an EV as a pure electric. We’ve put together this article to see whether the EV is the best choice for you.
The history of the EV is traced back to the creation of the motor vehicle at the turn of the 20th century. But the internal combustion engine soon gained a foothold in the field of personal vehicles, and eventually the EV turned into a niche option over the course of many decades, powering a few oddball urban car models over the decades, and of course the classic milk float.
It’s now in the 21st Century, and electricity is becoming the primary power source for cars, vans and trucks of all sizes. The reason is that regional laws are making it harder for car makers to meet ever tighter emissions standards with diesel or petrol models by themselves. This is why manufacturers are looking into alternative fuel sources, in order to cut down on pollution while providing the same multi-faceted performance and versatility that customers have become accustomed to by internal combustion engine.
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Pure electric cars only constitute a small proportion of the cars sold in the UK but the demand is rapidly increasing. The even more dramatic rise in plug-in cars can partly be explained by the growing number of plug-in hybrids that are on the market. These vehicles have electric drive as well as an internal combustion engine, so can’t claim to be emission-free like an electric vehicle, but they are a useful interim solution that deliver the kind of driving range that buyers are looking for, but with the chance to drive in a zero-emission electric mode after the battery has been fully charged.
Another addition to the market however, and an even more specific one than an electric vehicle is a hydrogen powered vehicle. They’re as safe as EVs due to the fact that they use the hydrogen fuel cell to drive an electric motor and the primary byproduct is water. Hydrogen cars are as quick to fill as conventional cars and have a range similar in terms of distance, but the sheer lack of refuelling stations and the high cost of these cars means they have very limited appeal.
The question we’re trying to answer here is: will an EV fit into your life? We evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of zero emission driving so you can decide whether an electric car the right car for you.
Electric automobiles: advantages
Zero emissions
The most appealing aspect of an EV is the fact you’re doing mile after mile of emissions-free driving. When you’re out and about it is important to note that the EV system is a closed loop’, meaning that the battery powers the electric motor and powers all of the on-board electrics but it doesn’t create any waste material.
The only time an EV pollutes other than the time you eventually decide to get rid of it is when it’s charged, and even then the emissions are traced back to the National Grid to the power source. If that’s renewable sources (solar panels/wind farm/wave power), then you could truly be contributing to less harmful emissions into the environment. Even if the power source is from nuclear, gas or other sources of coal, levels generated for charging your car will be a mere portion of the power station’s total emission of pollutants.
Purchase incentives
Although electric vehicles are costly when compared with similarly large diesel and petrol vehicles, there are plenty of incentives to help you get on the road. The most prominent of these is the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG). The PICG was originally a PS5,000 grant for every low-emissions vehicle, but today it only applies to pure electric vehicles.
In the case of pure electric cars the grant is PS3,000 but only cars with a list price of under PS50,000 qualify. In the theory of things, plug-in hybrids can be granted the grant as it’s applicable to any vehicle with CO2 emissions lower than 50g/km, and that travels at minimum 70 miles while in zero emissions mode, but no present plug-in hybrid is able to meet these standards. If you’re thinking of buying an electric hybrid, there are no discounts available and there aren’t any models that qualify for the grant currently planned.
Electric scooters and electric motorcycles are eligible for discounts of up to PS1,500, and vans and commercial vehicles with emissions of less than 75g/km are as much as PS8,000 off their retail price.
On top of this the majority of car manufacturers offer attractive finance rates on EVs in order to get customers to consider a leap of faith. Zero per cent finance and no-cost wallbox chargers are available to get you begin your journey to an electric experience. A grant is also that can help you with the cost of fitting an electric charging station to your home.
Low operating costs
If you’ve purchased an electric vehicle, the day-to-day running costs are significantly lower than they are for diesel or petrol models. It’s normal for an electric vehicle to be charged at night and ready to be used for the next day which means that you’ll use electricity at a lesser unit rate than you would during the period of the day. The estimated cost to fully recharge the EV at home can cost just a couple of pounds and that’s a lot less than it will cost to fill up a car in order to cover a similar mileage. The cost of charging will differ based on when, how it is charged and the location just like filling a petrol vehicle at various fuel stations However, it’ll exceed a tenth of the cost of diesel or petrol.
Tax benefits
If you’re purchasing privately an electric vehicle that costs less than PS40,000 can be eligible for road tax exemption. The higher price cars cost PS340 annually on road taxes for the first five years, but after that, they’re exempt from tax on roads.
On April 6th, 2020 businesses will also be able to pay no Benefit In Kind (BIK) company car tax on pure electric cars and the PICG continues to apply to company cars. By contrast, a gasoline car that releases 100g/km of CO2 will be subject to a BIK tax rates of 22 per cent, while diesels are 4 per cent more expensive than petrol in all respects.
It’s important to remember the fact that all pure EVs are not subject to The London Congestion Charge and it’s likely that other cities may introduce similar schemes in years to come.
Comfort
Since an electric motor produces a tinny whirr, cabin comfort is an important EV strength. There is no need to contend with tyre, traffic noise, and wind in the course of your travels when you’re in the town, all three are pretty low. In fact, EVs are so quiet that some makers are fitting noise generators to ensure that motorists and pedestrians are conscious of their presence when driving.
A lot of EVs are built to be a comfortable ride around town So, even though the suspension has to be stiff enough to carry the burden of the batteries there’s a degree of comfort to the ride that complements the lack of noise. Additionally, since the batteries are usually located low in the vehicle and the motor occupies less space than an engine, the passenger compartment can be more spacious than a comparable petrol car.
Acceleration
Due to the instant torque release of an electric motor, the majority of EVs seem to be surprisingly swift away from the light. Just press the accelerator and the car will race forward on a wave of torque. Most EVs are going to run out of the gas once you’ve hit the speed limit – and the range of driving will take a hit as well. However, cars like the Tesla Model S can deliver sub-3 second 0-60 times when they’re in their most powerful versions.
Electric cars: the downsides
Points for charging
The most significant drawback of owning an electric vehicle is the need to charge it up. Each EV offered for sale comes with a domestic three-pin plug to allow you to charge it using the mains power supply, while many firms offer a fast-charging wallbox for free when you buy an EV. The wallbox will be connected directly to the main power supply, and can charge an EV with a higher charge than the one that’s connected into your house.
Of course, in order to achieve this, you’ll need to find a place to park your car near an electrical source. Studies show that the majority of domestic garages don’t ever serve for parking cars as a majority of people do not have off-street parking as part of their homes, particularly in urban areas. Add in the fact that around 40 per cent of the population lives in rented homes, which limit the capacity to install fast-charging points, while 20% of people reside in flats, making it more difficult to install an in-home charging point and you’re dealing with a serious electric vehicle issue.
Car makers are doing their bit to help with EV charging. Tesla has now Supercharger stations throughout the UK offering fast-charging but only for Tesla models. Other than that, Nissan and Renault EV dealerships can charge Tesla owners who are on site, but this is only a benefit when you’re close to one of these locations that are typically located situated on industrial estates that are on the edges of major cities.
Another alternative is to sign-up to a charging scheme, like Polar EV Network, Ecotricity or Pod Point. For a monthly fee, this gives you accessibility to charging stations and designated parking bays on street and multi-storey – across the UK. Payments made using contactless are getting more widespread on all the major networks.
You’ll find a lot of these charging points in cities of major importance – London nearly has lots of charging points, but there are plenty of them to be found in Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bristol The companies have expanded their reach to include charging stations in pubs, supermarkets, and even at the motorway’s service points. The network is expanding all the time.
Charging time
Drivers have gotten used to the habit of simply filling their cars with fuel whenever and as needed. However, you can’t apply the same regime to an EV. Should you attempt to do so, then you’ll end up experiencing longer journeys when you take breaks to charge your EV up over a lengthy period. In this sense, it’s what perceptions of EVs that people are influenced by that must change rather than the cars themselves.
Because an EV is a new experience, you’ll need to adopt a brand new habit, and it’s something you’re acquainted with if you own an iPhone. Basically, it involves some advance planning. As long as you keep your electric vehicle connected every time you’re at a stop, particularly over the night and in the evening, it will have enough power to take you to your destination.
Battery range
Another thing that could stop many people from driving an electric vehicle is fear of the range. It’s the worry that you will not reach your destination without charging your vehicle up or be able to charge your car upon arrival.
In its current state, the current EV can be used for a distance of 150 to 200 miles, however car manufacturers are pinning hopes on the next-generation of EVs that can cover 300 miles in a single charge.
In reality, if you’re able plug an EV in every when you park, range anxiety shouldn’t pose a problem. The average commute to work within the UK is around 10-15 miles, which means that any EV is more than capable of covering the journey to work and back without needing be charged. But the bigger issue is if you’re doing long distances, but certain manufacturers like BMW offer schemes that allow users to rent a standard gasoline-powered vehicle if you require one for a lengthy trip. If you’re worried about electric range, then the most recent plug-in hybrids might be worth taking a look.
Purchase price
Electric cars remain expensive, and come with a cost of PS10k over a similar-sized petrol or diesel powered car. The PICG can reduce costs , particularly when you consider the less expensive models available for sale, but they’re fairly expensive, particularly when you look at their smaller range.
The issue of depreciation was a problem in the past and numerous EV models losing significant chunks of their value when it came to sell on. This is less of an issue nowadays, due to the low availability of desirable electric cars helping to increase the price of used cars.
Fun in the car
It’s not difficult to see that the heavy batteries of an electric vehicle do dull the driving experience somewhat. In addition, the lack of sound from the electric motor eliminates the excitement of driving for people who like to become involved in what they’re driving. In addition the direct drive as well as lack of gearboxes also take away from the fun of driving, therefore, EV drivers feel uncomfortable when thinking about EV driving.