A decade ago, the idea of electric cars was more futuristic science fiction than a realistic possibility, but in this ever evolving world of technology, electric vehicles are fast becoming the most talked about and important advancement. But what are the key things you need to know? In reality, although electric vehicles have been around for several years, it was not until 2015 that they started to come into their own and become established.
So, what are the key factors you need to know?
Firstly, where can you charge them? There are over 17,600 charging units across the UK with many fuel garages now upgrading to accompany for electric vehicles. The EV Charging points are easy to install at your home and require no special permission.
What is the range of the vehicle? As with diesel or petrol cars the range will vary depending on the model, style of driving and also temperature. But typically they will range from between 120 and 150 miles on a single charge making them ideal for city or urban travel. Although these figures don’t seem high, 80% of Europeans drive less than 63 miles per day and UK drivers, less than 25 miles!
Are the vehicles more expensive? The upfront cost of the car is generally more than the equivalent diesel or petrol model, however with tariffs normally at between £3-£4 for a range of 100 miles this is significantly cheaper than the £15 of a fuel car, so the saving will be made with investment.
Do the batteries die? Yes, as with most batteries even rechargeable ones, they will eventually lose capacity over time. Most car makers offer warranties of around 5 years or 60,000 miles. By the time the new battery is needed the costs should have fallen or you can sell the car on.
Will charging my phone drain the battery? Only at the normal rate it would your traditional petrol or diesel car. The voltage used in electric cars is so minimal for the size of the battery, so don’t be afraid to keep your phone topped up!
Are EV Charging points expensive to install? The simple answer to this is no. The entire upgrade including survey and post-care can be done for a reasonable fee with no additional payments to the installer once complete.
Government initiatives and grants? With the initial cost of installing a home EV charging point ranging from the average £500 – to the £1000 mark, to help promote the installation of home charging devices, the government is offering 75% (capped at £700) off the installation and purchase cost of having this done.
One of the most important factors to consider, is the ease of the transition. Ideally due to their range, electric vehicles are more suited to being city cars as oppose to travelling on motorways over a distance. However, this doesn’t limit you to shorter journeys; as there are now over 150 service stations fitted with new higher wattage electrical charging ports, allowing you to get up to 80% charge in 30 minutes.
The future is here.
Ryan Richefond, Mara Facility Services
