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Thinking of making the switch to electric? If you're in the market to buy, then your timing couldn't be better. With more choice than ever and sales rising across the UK in recent years, the surge in electric cars is great news for the environmentally-minded motorist.
With new factors to consider, as well as a whole heap of jargon to get to grips with, deciding on an electric vehicle that's right for you is entirely different to buying a new petrol or diesel car.
However, there’s never been a better time to make the electric leap with more electric cars on the road than ever before and the charging infrastructure becoming more prevalent. There’s a huge selection of electric cars available nowadays, with most manufacturers having electric alternatives to their traditional fuel vehicles, or dedicated electric cars such as Hyundai’s IONIQ line.
If you've never driven an electric car before, then we're sure you'll have your fair share of questions. That's why we've put together this in-depth guide to get your electric journey on the go. From the benefits of driving electric to buying advice, this extensive resource is here to help out with all your electric car queries.
Why should you choose an electric or hybrid car over a regular petrol or diesel? There are a number of benefits of owning an electric vehicle such as the reduced emissions and also the reduced cost of running.
If you're still a little on the fence about electric cars, then what are the plus points that'll make you want to take the plunge? Below we’ll dive into all the reasons you may not have considered.
Broadly speaking, the price of an electric vehicle (EV) is slightly higher than most petrol and diesel cars. However, the cost of running one is much cheaper.
It’s thought that charging a medium-sized EV at home could cost around half as much as it costs to fill up an equivalent petrol car, with charging at home costing around 8p per mile.
And with tax incentives, special government grants and enhanced fuel efficiency all sweetening the deal – not to mention the lower cost of electricity and reduced maintenance requirements thanks to fewer moving parts – you'll be spending much less in the long term by going for an EV.
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit has found that drivers behind the wheel of an EV could be saving up to around £700 per year than petrol cars when it comes to running costs.
The environmental benefits of EVs make them hugely attractive to those looking to minimise the impact driving can have on the planet. Fewer emissions mean a reduction in greenhouse gases, providing the whole country with more sustainable, renewable sources of electricity.
Over the lifetime of an EV, it will typically emit around two-thirds less greenhouse gas emissions than its equivalent petrol car. It’s estimated that by 2050, electric vehicles will produce over 80% less emissions.
Charging an EV at homeis simple, fast and cost-efficient – it's no different from charging your phone! Even the installation of a compact, all-weather home charging unit is hassle-free.
With a 7kW home charging port, the majority of EVs can charge to full capacity in around 5-10 hours. Rapid chargers can shave off even more time, getting them up to 80% in under an hour. Most EV charging can be done while you’re at work or overnight, making it incredibly convenient.
What’s more, public charging is now available at 97% of motorway services, featuring rapid or ultra-rapid chargers. So, if you did need to stop, you won’t ever be too far from an EV charger to get you back on the road.
Also known as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), all-electrics use electricity stored in a battery pack to power an electric motor, which turns the wheels. Once depleted, they're recharged using grid electricity, either from a wall socket or a dedicated charging unit.
As the name implies, hybrid cars combine an internal combustion engine that can be fuelled like regular petrol or diesel cars with an electric motor and battery. By using the two, they can achieve better fuel efficiency than diesels or petrols, creating less pollution and letting drivers increase their fuel savings.
Plug-in hybrids differ from regular hybrids since they can be recharged from an outlet, powering them through extended distances using only electricity. Once this battery is empty, petrol or diesel comes into play, operating the vehicle like a conventional, non-plug-in hybrid. The distance this battery pack last differs from model to model.
Note: All electric vehicles minimise wasted energy by turning off the car when not in use, e.g. when sat in traffic, a feature known as "idle-off". Through doing this, it provides energy for things such as air conditioning.
Likewise, they all also employ "regenerative braking". With most conventional cars, their kinetic energy is wasted when they slow down. Not so with electrics and hybrids: regenerative braking harnesses this energy, turning it into electricity and storing it in the battery.
When you get behind the wheel of an electric car for the first time, one of the most striking things is how much quieter they are. This makes the whole experience more comfortable and relaxed compared to what you may be used to. Some models allow you to add engine noise through the speakers which can be comforting for those used to petrol or diesel cars.
Silence aside, EVs' instant torque means quick acceleration as soon as you put your foot on the accelerator, without the need to shift gears on the go. And since their batteries are mostly found in the floor of the car, they provide great balance and weight distribution, which makes handling around corners a breeze.
If you're thinking of going electric, there's more to it than opting for whatever's in the nearest showroom. Factoring in your own habits helps to inform whether driving an electric car is for you; take the following into consideration beforehand:
If you're the kind of driver who's frequently zipping around town, then an electric car is ideal. Just be sure to find out where nearest public chargers are, and what charging speeds they offer, ahead of your purchase.
If your daily commute is a little on the long side (a few dozen miles, say) then charging only when you're in work might be sufficient. More and more businesses are installing chargers in their parking bays, making it easier to top up through the day. If you'll solely be using your EV for commuting, then this might be all the charge that's needed.
While electric cars flag up charging stations on their navigation systems, a degree of forward planning will still be required. Even fully charged, the performance of an EV can be affected by cold weather, along with traffic, changes in elevation and your own driving style.
If you are planning on covering long distances, it’s always worth noting that it’s advisable to take regular breaks (regardless of your car’s fuel type), so you’ll have chances to recharge your car as you recharge your own batteries. However, if a smaller capacity EV is going to be your only means of driving, you may want to opt for a hybrid if you have long distances to cover.
For the majority of electric car drivers, the cheapest way to charge is at home overnight. To do this, you'll obviously need a home parking space with room for a charge point to be installed. Additionally, you should aim for the best electricity tariff too – it could even save you money on your home electricity use.
At home, there are two main ways to charge your car, you can either use a normal 3-pin plug that you’d use to power home appliances, or you can invest in a dedicated charging port that will charge your car significantly quicker.
A dedicated charger will give you between 15 and 30 miles per hour of charging, whereas a 3-pin plug will only give you 8 miles of range. So, despite their initial cost, the dedicated chargers may be a worthwhile investment. You may even be able to get them for free if you take advantage of certain deals that manufacturers provide when purchasing a new electric car.
With that said, even if you don't have home charging capabilities, you can still go green. With more than 30,000 public charge points (and counting) across the UK, driving electric is still possible, it's just a matter of knowing where these charge points are.
Don't forget about your own driving style either. Like any car, how you drive will affect the performance. If you're a pedal-to-the-metal kind of motorist, then wave goodbye to the range; the slow and steady type wins out here, with smoother driving lending itself to greater ranges. Just take it easy with the air con and heating though!
Just like petrol or diesel cars, second-hand electric cars can throw up issues if you don’t do your due diligence before purchasing. Things like checking the service history apply across the board, but you might forget to check for things such as the leads being included in the sale of the car or the condition of the battery, which can be expensive to replace.
Due to the weight of an electric car, the brakes can also wear quicker than an ICE vehicle, so be sure to check they’ve been serviced and replaced as needed so that your car is safe and doesn’t cost you a pretty penny to replace the brakes.
Our team put together a blog detailing the considerations for used electric vehicles that is incredibly useful if you’re looking to buy a second-hand electric car.
If you’ve read our blog and you’ve decided that an electric vehicle is the right car for you, here are a few recommendations that you might want to test drive or buy at Brindley.
Hyundai’s signature SUV, the Santa Fe, has been electrified with their latest model. It offers the quality and style you’d expect from Hyundai alongside unique features such as premium audio from Bose and Surround View Monitor so that you have a 360-degree at all times.
With up to 7 seats and masses of room, the top-end EV9 exemplifies Kia’s commitment to quality, innovation and style. The EV9, like all other new Kia’s, comes with the industry-leading 7-year or 100,000-mile warranty as standard.
Volvo is known for its emphasis on safety and that’s no different with their electric offerings. The EX30 is packed with features like a 360° camera, collision avoidance systems and park pilot assist so that you can be sure that your Volvo will keep you safe.
Honda wanted to emphasise that electric cars are here to stay with their latest electric car – the e:Ny1. As the name suggests, it’s versatile enough to be for anyone while still offering the range of benefits that electric vehicles offer.
MG has made a valiant return to British roads with their latest offerings coming as fully-electric or hybrid options. The MG4 is competitively priced, even when compared to new petrol cars, making it an ideal vehicle for young families wanting to make the leap to electric without breaking the bank.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article. Looking for more from Brindley Group? Head here to check out more news from the motoring world, or whether you’re in the market for a new car, see how we can help at our homepage.
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