There has never been a more exciting time for electric vehicles. With major brands pledging to go all electric in the next ten years, and with the government plans to install public chargers on all main roads, driving an electric vehicle is becoming a viable option for all UK drivers.
Investing in an electric vehicle can be a little tricky when there is so much jargon surrounding their functions and the equipment you need to get to keep them going. We’ve broken it all down in this blog, so you can answer the question of ‘should I get an electric car?’ once and for all.
Let’s get into it!
What Is An Electric Car?
Electric cars or ‘EVs’ are powered by an electric battery rather than a fuel engine. A fully electric car will release zero carbon emissions and run entirely on its electric engine.
To charge an electric car, you must plug it into a charging point with a charging cable. It’s very important to use high-quality charging equipment to achieve a full, strong charge for an EV, as low-quality cables and chargers can hurt the battery.
A hybrid car is a type of car which is powered both by fuel and by an electric motor. There are two main types of hybrid vehicles:
- Self Charging Hybrid – a self-charging hybrid vehicle will use energy generated by its fuel engine to charge its electric motor, resulting in more power and more mileage achieved on a full tank.
- Plug-in Hybrid – a plug-in hybrid, or PHEV, is a type of electric Hybrid which requires its electric battery to be charged with a charger and cable just like a standard EV.
How Long Does An Electric Car Take To Charge?
The time it takes to charge an EV or PHEV depends fully on the engine size and the equipment you use.
A PHEV will usually charge quicker than an EV, as they have smaller electric motors to work with their fuel engines. With a standard 7.4kWh charger, a PHEV will likely be able to reach full charge within a few hours.
To calculate how long an EV or PHEV will take to charge, you can use the following equation: battery size / charging power = charge time.
So, for example, if you have an EV with a 75kWh battery and use a 50kW fast charger, it will take around 1.5 hours to reach a full charge.
What Are The Benefits?
There are lots of benefits to getting an electric vehicle. Many of these are environmental, as fully electric EVs don’t release any carbon emissions, and PHEVs release reduced amounts. Some further benefits include:
- Exemption from congestion zone charges – congestion zones are becoming more common in large cities and can have charges for cars that let off emissions. Driving an EV means you can drive through these zones without penalties. PHEVs and hybrids can also be eligible for reduced charges.
- Less expensive than fuel – once you have made the initial investment in charging equipment, it can be much less costly to charge your EV than a standard petrol vehicle.
- Less noise pollution – electric motors are much quieter than petrol engines, so you’ll be helping to lessen noise pollution by driving an EV.
- Solid resale values – as electric cars have become more desirable, you’ll find that resale prices are very good compared to petrol vehicles. The UK Gov plans to ban the sale of petrol vehicles by 2030, so the market for electric vehicles is growing in anticipation.
What Are The Issues With Electric Cars?
The main issue you might run into with electric vehicles is the cost. It can be expensive to purchase a car, charger and cables. However, it’s important to remember that investing in high-quality charging equipment will help you get the most out of your EV and ensure its battery has a longer life.
There are a few things you can explore to help with the cost of investing in an EV:
- Government grants – the UK government has a range of schemes to help people switch to electric vehicles. These include grants and loans for the car and chargers, and charging equipment.
- Off-Peak charging – if you already have an EV and are worried about the cost of charging, consider trying off-peak charging. Off-peak energy hours are when a low amount of power is used across the grid (usually overnight), so energy prices are reduced.
Final Thoughts,
Should you get an electric car? If you want an efficient and future-forward car, the answer is yes!
Electric cars are the future of our roads. With the ban on petrol vehicles less than a decade away, there has never been a better time to switch to an electric vehicle.
