The COP26 summit has got a lot of families thinking of how they can tackle global warming. Many of whom may be looking to buy an electric vehicle but have lots of unanswered questions about green alternatives.
Electric vehicles (EVs) were heavily spoken about at COP26, in fact pretty much all of Transport Day was dedicated to further developing EVs. So how will electric vehicles change our lives and how on Earth are we meant to afford one?
Do I need to buy an electric vehicle now?
The switch to electric (or zero-emission) driving is something that all of us are going to have to do sooner or later. The UK Government has already committed to banning the sale of all new petrol or diesel vehicles in 2030. Plus, the UK’s goal is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, which is still a long way off!
So will COP26 change our lives overnight? Probably not, no. But it does set the goals for the UK’s future, which means you have plenty of time to switch to an eco-friendly vehicle. If you want to be ahead of the curve, you may have had a look at some EVs already.
If you have, you’ve probably seen the price of some electric cars. Overall, electric cars are more expensive to buy than petrol or diesel ones, but this gap is narrowing every year. You can buy a brand new Volkswagen e-UP for around £20,000, which we know is a lot for a VW UP. But the point is that they’re not always Tesla prices.
Historically, electric vehicles have always been more expensive to buy than conventional vehicles as their batteries are more expensive to produce or buy. However, with the number of battery factories popping up in the UK, amongst other factors, the price of batteries has fallen sharply in recent years.
It is predicted that within the next five years, new electric cars will cost the same as petrol and diesel ones do now. Plus, EVs have been around long enough now for some great second hand options to pop up on the market – and that’s where we come in!
Buy an electric vehicle from EV Sales
Want to avoid the rush and buy an electric vehicle on the second hand market? EV Sales is here for you! We specialise in the sale of used electric vehicles, all of which come with a one month warranty and one registered keeper! All of our vehicles are quality assured and you can choose between a range of different manufacturers and models.
To view our full stocklist, click here.
What else can I do to cut the costs of an EV?
The UK Government currently offers a bunch of different grants to support EV buyers. Those looking to buy a brand new electric vehicle can receive a grant of up to £2,500 on the price. You can also claim a grant of up to £350 towards the cost of installing a chargepoint at your house. This grant is available whether you lease or own an electric vehicle outright.
Separately, the Scottish Government offers interest-free loans to support people to purchase new or used electric vehicles.
What’s the difference between an electric vehicle and a hybrid?
It can be easy to get lost in a maze of jargon when you read words such as BEV and PHEV. So let’s break down the differences. A BEV (battery electric vehicle) is a vehicle that runs solely on electric power. Whereas a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) is a vehicle which runs on both electric power and conventional fuel.
What this means, in relation to climate change, is that hybrid vehicles are still emitting dangerous emissions to the atmosphere. These emissions are lower than in petrol or diesel vehicles, but new hybrid vehicles will also be banned from 2035.
If you’re worried about the impact driving has on the environment then an all-electric vehicle is the best option. However, hybrid vehicles produce low emissions for a similar price tag. Of course, when driving an all-electric vehicle you will benefit from minimal servicing, maintenance and ‘filling up’ costs.
Plus, when you consider splashing out £20,000 on a hybrid, why wouldn’t you buy an electric? The overall costs are far lower on electric vehicles than any other and they are the best option for the environment.
What are the running costs for an electric vehicle?
Speaking of costs, how much does it cost to run an electric car? The ‘biggest’ cost of running an electric car is the electricity to run it, which is cheaper than petrol or diesels by miles. When you charge an electric vehicle at home, you should be able to add 100 miles for roughly £2 or less.
This cost rises slightly if you use public charging stations, which will vary on price. On average, it could cost you around £6.50 for a full charge. Either way, the cost savings are massive when compared to petrol or diesel cars. It could cost you £30 or more in petrol to fill up!
Electric vehicles are generally cheaper to maintain too, as they have fewer moving parts and less need for ongoing maintenance on things like oil. Plus, vehicle tax is free and you’ll avoid paying any congestion charges, like the ones implemented throughout London.
Have you got a question about electric vehicles?
Got more questions on electric vehicles? Check out our advice section, or get in contact with our team via mail@evisionsales.co.uk.
* All information correct as of 22/11/2021.
