Over the last 12 months, the team at Pike + Bambridge have all made the move towards a greener electric mobility, and we’re pleased to say it’s been (almost) a seamless process. It’s fair to say that it is new, and it requires giving more thought to your daily commute or weekend away with the car. In this blog we look in detail at areas you may wish to think about to support you making the decision to move to an EV lifestyle.
The Pros
Electric cars reduce emissions
The Department for Transport are currently estimating a 60% CO2 reduction as a direct result, from making significant changes to our domestic transport by 2030. This includes better use of public transport, but also the shift to zero emissions cars.
Electric cars will save you money
The average cost of using electricity over fuel is 72% cheaper, and works out at around 3-5p per mile for an EV. There is support from the Government for all electric cars under £32,000 BLP (Basic List Price). Changes to the Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) were announced in December 2021, which resulted in a reduction in the support available from the Government for new electric vehicle purchases, with a grant towards the cost of cars with a list price of £32,000.
Grants for Home and Commercial Charge Points (for now!)
We recently wrote a blog post about the grant support available for making the move to an electric car. Learn more about the options available to you here.
Electric cars require low maintenance
With no need for frequent oil changes, an electric car simply requires software updates rather than annual service check-ins. If you can’t go fully electric, you could consider a plug-in hybrid. Hybrids are also still an upgrade on combustion cars. We are seeing a wide range of additional vehicles becoming available within the Plug-In Hybrid space across all of our manufacturers. Mainly offering between 20-40 miles of electric range, before moving into the combustion engine, it’s a good stepping stone to EV driving.
Public infrastructure is seeing serious investment
Charging infrastructure across the UK is improving, with public authorities prioritising public charging stations within budget announcements. There is a great network nationwide (currently 25,122) for the public to use - every day, or when on longer journeys. However, they do vary in power, with the slower 7KhW chargers found more frequently. The best app we have found is Zap Map. As well as mapping charge point locations, it also tells you of any issues with the charger and whether it is available before you travel to it.
The Cons
Charging time
Of course, it will take longer to charge your EV than simply fuelling up at a forecourt, so planning is key. The time it takes will vary depending on the type of charger you use (slow vs rapid), and the size of the battery your vehicle has, as well as the speed it can receive charge. With local authorities prioritising faster networks across the UK, and new technology allowing for greater vehicle electric range; the charging process will undoubtedly become faster in the years to come. We recently wrote a blog on the variations between chargers - how long you need to charge your car for and how much it will cost - a great read for those starting out on their EV journey.
Electric Vehicles publicised ranges can be unreliable, particularly in winter...
Mileage range can vary due to a number of reasons, such as weather conditions, driving styles and the condition of the car. For these reasons, it’s important to note that the range that manufacturers advertise can often be different to the ‘real world range’ you achieve. For more detail, please read our recent blog on Real World Range. When you start driving an EV you’ll quickly get used to managing your electric range as you get used to the car.
Electric Cars are more expensive
It is historically true that the cost of purchasing an electric car in general is still more expensive than a combustion engine. However, with tax-savings, grants and a large reduction in both fuel and maintenance costs, beware of assuming EV’s are automatically more expensive in their ‘True Monthly Cost’.
Summary
There are many many variables to consider when contemplating the move to electric, and clearly there are many pros and cons right now if considering a move to an EV lifestyle.
As a team, we are pleased we’ve made the move, and we’re excited to help you do it too. In 2021 the registration of electric cars rose more than 75%, from 108,000 to 191,000. last year, essentially 1 in every 4 new car sales. In addition, the second-best selling car in 2021 was the Tesla Model 3!
If you want to find out more about making the move to electric, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today. We look forward to welcoming you to the world of electric!
