You know the change is coming, but you don’t feel like you are ready for it, or excited by it. Sound familiar? We understand, this is why we’re here to help.
The Government has decided to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles (ICE) by 2035 . After this, all new vehicles producing tailpipe emissions, including hybrid vehicles, will be banned by 2035. Before the 2035 ban, you can buy a new vehicle if it has the capability to drive an approved distance with zero emissions. The distance required is defined via consultation.
There are different types of electrified vehicles available. Some of them are fully powered by electricity, and some use a combination of traditional petrol and diesel engines and an electric motor. The commercially available type of EVs include:
With the ban of traditional petrol and diesel vehicles edging closer, more UK drivers are deciding to make the switch to electric. By the end of July 2023, there were approximately 840,000 battery electric vehicles in the UK*. This is a 26.5% increase from the previous year.
The high initial price of EVs has been one of the main obstacles for a long time for those thinking about making the switch to electric. However, electric vehicles end up costing you less in the long run, thanks to several factors:
Electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel – yes, even now.
If you choose to charge your EV at home, you can choose the optimal time for your charging, when the electricity is cheapest. This is usually during the night. You get to enjoy a well-deserved rest, while your EV also charges its battery!
Concerned about how much servicing your EV will cost you? As electric vehicles have fewer parts compared to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, they are easier, quicker and cheaper to service. In fact, servicing an EV is on average 23% cheaper than an ICE vehicle.
Most people have heard about this benefit: if you drive an electric vehicle, you are exempt from paying road tax. In the long run, you can gain significant savings, and it’s also one less thing to worry about!
Many cities in the UK have introduced Low Emission Zones (LEZs). In these areas, any vehicle that does not release harmful emissions to the atmosphere, is classed as exempt from paying the congestion charges.
For instance, in central London, you save as much as £14 every day if you drive a fully electric vehicle.
Another key barrier for switching to electric for many people is the range of EVs. In their early stages, EVs typically had a low range, and they required regular charging to keep them running. However, today there are many electric vehicles with fantastic ranges.
The longest range of EV is 452 miles, and you can get it with the Mercedes EQS. This is more than enough for a road trip around the country. You might not have to charge the EV until you return home!
Typically, the range of an EV ranges from 150 to 300 miles. It’s time to wave goodbye to range anxiety!
Charging may just be the main reason people put off buying an EV. There are several misconceptions about charging opportunities, and negativity around charging your EV.
You can charge your electric vehicle at home with a wall charger, or when out and about with a public charger. The public charging stations also include faster charging, so you can get back on the road in no time. For instance, Hyundai IONIQ 6 can be charged from 0-80% in 18 minutes.
As of July 2023, there were 45,737 public electric vehicle charging points in the UK, across 26,805 locations**. The number of charging points is growing fast each year, as the UK Government is building an infrastructure ready for the large change in 2035.
Find your nearest public charger
There are five type of electric vehicle chargers. These are Type 1, Type 2, CHAdeMo, CCS combo type 1, and CCS combo type 2.
Increasingly, you will also come across rapid and ultra-rapid chargers. The official name for these is direct rapid (DC) charger. Most new electric vehicle models come with DC charging as an option.
At home, you can also charge your EV with a regular UK three-pin plug. Although, you can expect a longer charging time with this method.
Like any other battery, electric vehicle batteries also degrade over time, resulting in shorter range. However, the batteries in electric vehicles last at 10-20 years. For instance, an eight-year-old Nissan LEAF vehicle will still have a battery capacity of around 80%.
You can preserve your electric vehicle’s battery with simple steps:
Learn more about electric vehicles
Yes! Electric vehicles have many personal benefits, not to mention being better for the environment. You will end up saving money in the long term, without compromising on safety or performance.
With more models on offer, the price of new electric vehicles is expected to reduce. The UK Government is also helping people buy EVs with their grant schemes.
Electric vehicles have lower running costs compared to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles. The UK Government is banning all new ICE vehicles from 2035 onwards, enforcing the transition to electric vehicles.
Yes, they are! When comparing to traditional ICE vehicles, you end up spending less on fuel, servicing as well as taxes and charges. Even though the initial price of an EV might feel high, you will end up saving money in the long term.