Why choose an electric car?
Most of us will have noticed the increasing number of electric cars that are making their way onto UK roads. As a nation, we are comfortable and familiar with traditional engines, so the thought of going electric may not be something that we've seriously considered. We are told that they are better for the environment, but there are some other great benefits that come with choosing an electric car that are perhaps lesser known. We're going to take you through them...
Financial Benefits
By choosing to drive electric, you’ll experience a number of financial benefits that you may not receive if you opt for a traditional diesel or petrol model.
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Exemption from ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone)
London is just one of a number of cities in the UK that has introduced, or planning to introduce, an ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone). The aim of any ULEZ is to improve air quality and reduce pollution, and any vehicle that does not comply is required to pay a charge. You will not be required to pay the daily charge if you are driving an electric car.
Find out which new vehicles are exempt from ULEZ or read our frequently asked questions for more information about the ULEZ.
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Exempt from paying road tax
As an electric car owner, you will also be exempt from all road tax charges. Additionally, company car tax changes, which come into effect in 2020/2021, will mean all fully electric cars and vans will pay no company car tax in 2020/21, just 1% in 2021/22 and 2% in 2022/23.
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Government grants and incentives
As a greater incentive to go ultra low, the government are offering grants and subsidies on the cost and maintenance of your electric/hybrid car. For more information visit the government website here.
Lower Running Costs
Electricity is far cheaper than fuel, so the cost of charging your electric car is going to be relatively low. It can be approximately worked out by multiplying the cost per unit of electricity by the size of the battery. The average cost for domestic electricity is 14p per kWh so, for example, if your car battery is 40kWh, it will cost around £5.60. Electric cars are designed to be efficient and sustainable, therefore you can expect less wear and tear when it comes to the motor. As a result, any repairs and servicing costs are going to be much lower than they would be for a traditional engine.
Environmentally Friendly
All fully electric cars release zero carbon emissions, and therefore they don’t contribute to atmospheric pollution on any level. This makes them better for the planet and better for your local community as more electric cars means the air we all breathe will be cleaner.
Plug-in hybrids, which can be seen as bridging the gap between milder forms of hybrid and fully electric cars, feature a small battery and electric motor. When driven in electric mode, they release zero emissions which make them another great option when considering a more environmentally friendly future.
Simple Charging
When you need to charge your electric vehicle, you’ll find that it’s super simple and far less hassle that heading to the fuel station. You can charge your vehicle using your normal sockets at home, or install a home charging port outside the house. Depending on the make and the battery size, your vehicle should be charged to full capacity in 8-12 hours. However, if you invest in a rapid charger, you could be on the move within an hour.
A Quiet-Yet-Thrilling Drive
As there’s no engine, just an electric motor, driving an electric car is almost silent – but don’t be fooled. One of the myths surrounding electric cars is that they’re slow and boring, but this is far from the case. All of them benefit from instant torque, which means as soon as you accelerate, you’ll have maximum power from the get-go. You’ll also find that the 0-60 times for some electric vehicles are far quicker than that of their fuel counterparts.
Find an electric vehicle
Go ultra low and explore our latest range of electric vehicles available for sale from our premium brands.
View all electric cars for sale
Interested in driving hybrid?
There are many benefits to owning a hybrid vehicle and many different variations to choose from. We've done a comparison of hybrid and electric vehicles that can help you decide which type of vehicle is best for you.
