Have you been considering whether it better to buy an electric car? We look at the advantages of buying an electric car. Whether you are looking for a car that is better for the environment or if you want to save money on fuel, we will look at the top reasons for owning an electric vehicle.

Should I Buy an Electric Car? 

Whether you should buy an electric car or not depends on many factors. For example, you need to consider whether it would benefit you and your circumstances, and it is also down to personal preference. It is essential to get the vehicle that is right for you as cars are a huge investment. It would help if you thought about exactly what you want to get out of your car and compare it to what the car can offer you. If you are struggling, it is important to get in touch with a professional to point you in the right direction. 

If you can answer yes to the following, then an electric car would suit you:

If you drive around a lot and regularly drive over a couple of hundred miles, you tow other vehicles, are looking for lower purchase prices or use street parking overnight, then electric cars may not be a good option. 

There are so many different brands of cars that now offer electric vehicles. Electric cars are still much more expensive than petrol and diesel cars, but it expected to be the other way around soon. However, you will be saving money on road tax and petrol or diesel, as the running costs for this vehicle are much lower. 

If you are looking to switch from petrol or diesel cars to electric cars or plug-in-hybrids, you should get in touch with a professional today with years of experience in the industry. They will be able to give you the advice you need, whether it's about range anxiety, battery life, tax breaks, or the range of electric models. 

Existing owners are so pleased with their new car and say they last a long time, providing you take it for servicing every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Sales have gone through the roof since the Government has decided to ban selling cards and vans powered using petrol or diesel in 2030. 

Would an Electric Car Suit my Needs?

It would help if you made sure that there are some electric charging points around your area or on your regular journeys; however, you can charge your car at home. 

It can take between 5-12 hours to fill up your electric car, so you need to ensure you have time for this. For example, if your job requires you to be on call, this car may not suit your requirements. It would help if you then worked out how long your specific electric vehicle lasts once fully charged. Most modern electric vehicles can travel around 200 miles before they need charging again. 

If you have any doubts, it is important to do your research or talk to a professional, as it is a large investment to be unhappy with. You need to take so much into consideration, for example:

Many brands choose from, including Volkswagen, Jaguar and Kia, who make electric cars and plug-in hybrid models. Second-hand electric cars are just as reliable compared to new electric cars; they're just more affordable. In fact, electric cars are worth more when they have exceeded the ownership period of three years. 

If you travel long distances regularly, whether you're commuting, going on road trips, then going electric may not be the best option. If the weather is cold or boiling, then using climate control or the air conditioning in your electric car could affect the car's range and use up the power. 

How Much Cheaper is an Electric Car?

Electric cars are actually more expensive to buy than petrol or diesel cars. However, the running costs for an electric car are much cheaper, so you may be saving the difference between the electric car's purchase price and the petrol or diesel car in the long run. 

If you compare the costs of electric cars to conventional vehicles, there is a considerable difference. Even though the running costs for electric vehicles are cheaper, the initial payment is much more expensive. If you are thinking about switching, please get in touch with a professional first. They can give you advice on anything, including performance, technology and more. Here is how you can save money buying an electric car:

What are EVs Like to Drive?

Electric cars tend to feel very quick, as the engine provides instant force at maximum speed. This is because the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) produces thousands of revs as soon as you press down the accelerator. However, different brands and models of electric cars are faster than others, for example:

Electric cars don't last as long as petrol and diesel cars on long journeys, so it is important to work out how far you can get on a single charge. However, it would help if you considered real-world tests and the figures released by the manufacturing groups. 

Are there Grants Still Available for Electric Car Buyers?

If you purchase an electric car under £50,000, you will receive a £3,000 grant from the Government, as these vehicles run with zero emissions. You will also get a grant to help your home charger, whether your electric vehicle is new or used. The home charger can recharge the batteries three times faster than the regular plugs. 

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles will also provide you with a £500 grant, but this is only for most electric vehicles, not all. If you purchase an electric vehicle in Scotland, you will be entitled to another grant from the Energy Saving Trust. They will also give you a grant of around £300. 

If you purchase an electric motorcycle, you will receive a grant of 20% as long as the value doesn't exceed £1,500.

The Government does this to encourage people to buy electric vehicles as they cause less harm to the environment, producing zero emissions and CO2. This reduces climate change and much more. There are so many benefits to having an electric car, but you must consider your circumstances before buying one as they don't suit everyone's lifestyle. 

If you have any further questions that aren't covered in this article, please feel free to display your interest in EVs and your local provider a call today. They will be able to give you to advice you need and point you in the right direction. They cost a considerable amount of money to be unhappy with, which is why it is so important to gather all the necessary information first. 

Can you Rely on Today's Charging Network?

If you're looking to put some extra cash in your savings, then electric cars are ideal. Tesla actually has its own supercharging network around the UK and Europe. These charging stations are currently starting to be located at hotels, shopping centres, business parks, motorway services and other public places.

In fact, it is believed that there is at least one station for each household to reach easily. A Model 3 Tesla with a 250kW battery can be filled using the latest third-generation supercharger, which adds an extra 1,000 miles per hour to the range. Many other companies have charging networks around the UK, but they don't run the same as other fuel stations when refuelling or paying. In some cities around the UK, charging stations are now being installed in lamp posts. 

The charging rate for electric cars is usually measured in kilowatts. Different car brand charging stations provide different kilowatts; for example, some chargers offer as little as 3kW, whilst Tesla superchargers offer up to 250kW. The other brands are separated into the following categories:

Fast

7/ kW  / 22/ kW 

Rapid

25/ kW  / 43/ kW  / 50/ kW  / 100/ kW  120/ kW  / 150/ kW 

Industry-Leading

350/ kW

There are also different types of plugs, including:

Then, to make things even more complicated, you have different types of payment methods. You used to set up an account for each charging network and carry around a contactless RFID card or download an app on your smartphone. You would then use the card or the app to pay for your charging. Now, contactless payments for debit or credit cards charging networks are steadily growing. 

Different car manufacturers are also trying to improve charging networks. For example, if you purchase a Porsche Taycan, you will automatically have a charging account that Porsche brands as an app or a contactless card, and you will be able to use these at most charging stations. 

Another manufacturer that has tried to make improvements is Polestar, which has partnered up with Plugsurfing. Their RFID branded contactless card work in nearly 200,000 charging stations around Europe. 

The cost of the electricity can also vary. In some supermarkets, you can find charging stations that are free to use whilst you're in the shop. Then, different stations will vary in cost and speed of charging. For example, BP's Chargemaster networks are partnered with Polar Plus, and you can pay £7.85 every month to receive free charging in pretty much all locations. Otherwise, if you decide not to become a member, you will be paying around 40p for every kWh you use. 

If you are considering whether it better to buy an electric car you can view our range of electric cars online.