You may have noticed more electric cars on the roads and more charging stations popping up. Recently the sales of electric cars have grown by almost a quarter; however their overall market share is still low, on the flipside diesel car sales fell by a third. But, why? The government investing in charging stations and creating tax breaks for owners. In short, they’re cleaner, greener and cheaper than petrol and diesel vehicles.
Electric car owners receive a lower road tax if they aren’t completely exempt from it. Tax breaks are a key incentive for consumers. While initially pricier than petrol and diesel alternatives, electric vehicles are an investment as they save money in the long run. They’re cheaper to operate as they are estimated to cost less than three pence a mile, which is 10% of the cost petrol and diesel users face. Some also qualify for government grants reducing the upfront cost, the government can award up to five thousand pounds, and some dealerships and manufacturers offer the opportunity to trade in an older fossil fuelled car to save money on a newer cleaner model. The service charges are also lower because electric cars are more reliable, they have fewer moving parts to them, therefore less to break down and therefore less parts that will eventually need replacing or fixing. It is believed that electric batteries have over a quarter of a million-mile lifespan.
Carbon emissions from transportation are a huge factor in global warming; vehicles are also a source of much of the air pollution. As the knowledge of these environmental issues become more common, people become more conscious about their contribution to it and begin to choose alternatives. Even using a coal mined power grid to charge the vehicle is more environmentally friendly than using fossil fuels. Although there is the option to make electric cars almost entirely green. As developments into renewable energy continue it’s entirely reasonable to assume that one day these cars will be able to be charged using solar or wind based produced energy. An electric motor itself is four times more efficient than a combustion engine – It wastes far less energy. Most electric vehicles have a range of almost a hundred miles from a single charge, and they can fully charge in around half an hour. Imagine waking up to a ‘full tank’ every morning and never having to try to find a petrol station whilst driving around on empty panicking.
The experience of driving them is also better. The torque of the engines is instant, and so the acceleration is immediate. A smoother drive in an alert and responsive vehicle, which is improved by the lower centre of gravity meaning the handling, is better. Effortless driving and a near silent engine.
If you are considering buying one, you should definitely learn more about electric cars; research is key, especially for a substantial purchase that will impact your everyday life.
