As of September 2020, more than 142,000 pure electric cars are on UK roads. Despite the myths that theyre costly to repair and don't go very far, Ev's are kicking petrol and diesel cars out of the spotlight for good. So why is this new technology so popular? Is it worth owning an electric car? What are the benefits of owning an electric car? This guide will walk you through the benefits of owning an electric car, as well as debunking some of the myths that might be putting you off the idea.
Unlike your conventional petrol or diesel car, an electric car doesn't have many moving parts, in fact, there is only one, the rotor. Therefore little servicing is required and maintenance is cheaper, only the brakes, tyres and suspension. Batteries usually last about 8 years before they're needed to be replaced. So despite the fact that the upfront cost of an electric car is often higher, they are considerably cheaper to run, meaning you may be saving more in the long run.
According to CNN, transportation is the second leading cause of climate change, making up to nearly 15% of the global climate change pollution. Petrol and diesel cars emit dangerous greenhouse gases, but electric cars emit no CO2. Although the manufacturing of the batteries does produce some CO2, it is considerably less than that of a full life cycle of a petrol or diesel vehicle.
With less petrol and diesel cars on the road brings cleaner air, which can only be a good thing! Clean air means clean lungs, and the reduced risk of heart, lung or arterial diseases.
One chore none of us enjoys is taking your car to the petrol station. Uncomfortably watching the price go up, and up, and up.
Not only can you charge your car up at home, either with a traditional three-point plug or by having a wall box installed, but it is considerably cheaper and, of course, better for the environment. You can find out more about the cost of charging your car at home with our guide: How much is the cost of running an electric car in the UK?
Many people are worried about the lack of public charging stations, however, with more people turning to electric cars, more stations are being added. There are currently more than 30,000 spread across the UK.
Those who already drive an electric car will agree that they are considerably quieter to drive. This in itself benefits not only the driver but those around you, too. Removing the constant drone of a nearby road will no doubt make everybody's lives better. Driving an EV is almost a completely different experience to that of petrol or diesel. Every button press, every pedal push, has instant response, giving them the ability to glide in between cars at ease.
Being the cars of the future, EV's have added safety improvements that make them literal lifesavers. With the battery located in the floor of the car, meaning that the car is balanced well, reducing the risk of a rollover. With the exemption of petrol or diesel, major fires are also not as much of a risk in EV's. Lastly, their construction makes them safer during a collision.
The most common misconception with electric cars is that they don't travel far enough to be worth buying (or leasing).
With the ever-growing number of charging stations in the UK, this soon won't be an issue at all. Yes, petrol or diesel can take you further without stopping for a refill, but when you put all of those petrol station visits together, they wind up being more expensive than charging up your EV more often.
Check out our comparison guide: Top 10 Electric Cars with the Longest Range for a better understanding of how far electric cars can go.
So, after reading the benefits of getting an EV, as well as debunking some of the myths surrounding them, are you anymore convinced into getting your hands on one? While you here, why not take a look at some of our latest special offers on electric (or non-electric) cars by checking out our special offers page.