The advantages of driving electric vehicles are becoming clearer, even as more manufacturers increase their investments in this field. Currently, there are about 20 car manufacturers who have announced plans to release new models in the coming year. Increased choice means buyers can now find an EV that perfectly suits their budget needs.
Drivers are today being urged to look beyond the acquisition price when in the market for an electric car. The reality is that over the span of owning or leasing the EV, the driver will get to benefit from better performance, major cost efficiencies, comfort, and greater convenience. And this is not forgetting playing a role in improving the environment around them.
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF AN EV
Perhaps the biggest benefit of driving low emission cars comes in the form of enhancement it can help bring to the surrounding environment. A pure EV doesn’t have a tailpipe, a car driving on petrol or diesel does. This means that it’s not capable of emitting exhaust gases. This assists in reducing air pollution, more so in busy and/or congested cities.
EVs are, thus, a desirable solution for localities facing air pollution issues. Reduced air pollution leads to an improvement in the local’s quality of life, which also means fewer health issues and a decreased mortality rate.
ENJOY DISCOUNTS ON CONGESTION CHARGES
As previously communicated by 50five E-mobility, certain areas have started to introduce Clean Air Zones. Each zone comes with a set fee that is meant to discourage vehicles with high emission rates from getting access to certain places. Having an EV means you don’t have to worry about ever paying such charges.
For instance, as soon as registration is complete, an EV driver in major cities such as London can visit the new Ultra Low Emission Zone and the congestion zones free of charge. For those who make such journeys frequently, the amounts saved on the fees can translate to enormous annual savings.
Anyone planning to access the Ultra-Low Emission Zone is required to part with a fee of £12.50 per day. Annually, an EV owner will get to save £2,875 and this is not counting the money they have saved on fuel. Considering that more cities in the UK are considering introducing similar schemes, it may prove advantageous for one to consider making the switch to electric.
ENHANCED DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Driving an EV comes with 3 main advantages as opposed to driving an Internal Combustion Engine, better known as ICE.
1. An electric motor has an instant torque known to give the driver high and responsive acceleration.
2. EVs have regenerative braking which kicks-in immediately a driver starts to ease off the accelerator. The regenerative braking then immediately begins sending the energy back into the battery thereby helping to add to its overall efficiency.
3. Last but not least, the distribution and weight of the EV batteries coupled with its low gravity center benefits safety, comfort, and handling. Studies have shown that driving an EV is likely to result in fewer injuries compared to an ICE combustion vehicle. Of all cars tested, the Tesla 3 has been seen to have the lowest injury probabilities.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING TOWARDS EV CHARGING POINTS
Currently, all EV drivers stand to benefit from an EV charger grant from the government aimed at helping them install a charging point at work or home.
The government is offering an EV charger installation grant of up to £350, which should go towards the costs incurred when installing a charging point at home.
Also, the government has introduced a Workplace Charging Scheme aimed at providing eligible companies and businesses with the support they need to install charging points.
GET UP-TO £3,000 OFF THE INITIAL PURCHASE PRICE
A plug-in car grant is being provided by the UK government which will see potential buyers enjoy as much as £3,000 off from the cost of acquiring a brand new EV.
For you to benefit from this grant, you need to choose a model that has CO2 emissions that are lower than fifty grams per kilometer. Also, the model needs to have a zero-emission range of seventy miles or more.
Provided the chosen model meets the requirements put in place by the government, the dealer will deduct this grant from the asking price.
