The demand for electric cars is increasing, with an estimated
300,000 EVs and 600,000 plug-in
hybrids on the roads in the UK. Many worry about the practicality of
owning an EV, but with the number of public charging points across the country
increasing by 220% in the last 5 years, the time to buy an electric vehicle
has never been better.
Electric cars use an electric battery to power a motor, rather than a fuel powered engine. The main battery is usually accompanied by an auxiliary battery, used to power the infotainment system, lights and wipers so that they can continue working, regardless of how charged the car is. The performance of the car depends on the power of the motor and unlike traditional cars, electric cars have instant acceleration, making driving easier.
Battery Electric Vehicles must be charged. This can be done via a wall mounted charger if charging at home, or if you need to charge whilst out and about, public chargers may be found in car parks, on the street or at motorway services. Public chargers are becoming increasingly more common so finding somewhere to charge your car is easier than you may think. When plugged in, the charger will automatically be locked to the car and the electricity will be regulated by the cars charging unit and the charger itself.
Mechanically, electric cars are much simpler so less likely to break down. If they do break down however, this means that they are often much easier to repair. They use no oil, filters or conventional clutch so until the battery needs replacement, your biggest outlay is likely to be new tyres. The range of an EV is dependent on the make and model that you choose. However, with the variety of EVs to choose from continuously increasing, there will be one out there that will be able suitable for you.
People often question whether new technologies are safe but electric cars are held to the same safety standards and have to pass the same tests as traditional cars.
Reluctance to buy an electric vehicle often coincides with the fear that the batteries are more likely to explode in collisions than traditional cars. However, in this case, electric cars are safer than traditional cars, with the London Fire Brigade dealing with only 54 EV fires compared to 1,898 petrol and diesel fires. This is EV batteries release smaller amounts of flammable material and are encased in solid steel.
Like buying any car, the cost of buying an electric vehicle depends on the make, model, and features, however switching to an electric vehicle can actually save you money, as well as the environment, with savings on fuel, tax and a variety of grants on offer.
EVs are more energy efficient, meaning less money spent on fuelling your car. Also, electricity is a lot cheaper than petrol or diesel, and you no longer pay fuel duty. The Government are also providing a grant of up to £2,500 for the purchase of an electric car. As well as this, you don’t have to pay any road tax on certain electric vehicles or congestion charges when owning an electric vehicle.
To maintain your EV, it is around £100 a year cheaper than traditional combustion cars because of fewer moving parts which means that it is less likely for things to go wrong. Many manufacturers offer up to 8 (or more) year warranties on new vehicles (which may include the replacement of the battery). Switching to an electric vehicle is becoming increasingly popular due to the benefit of saving money in most cases. Many find that an EV is economically equivalent (or better) than petrol or diesel cars.
To find out more about Mazda's EV, the MX-30, get in contact with us and one of our sales executives will be able to answer any further questions you may have.