Electric Cars vs Petrol and Diesel: What are The Benefits of Switching?
If you’re new to the world of EVs, you might not be aware of all their great benefits when compared to internal combustion engine cars.
Are you ready to pull the plug on fossil fuel cars and make the switch to electric? CUPRA, Citroen, Ford, Hyundai, MG, Mazda, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Skoda, and Vauxhall, are all now switching their focus to electric vehicles, meaning there's more choice than ever before.
With more choice, low to zero road tax, zero emissions, and cheaper running costs than standard petrol or diesel cars, the benefits of electric cars are endless. Plus, you could be eligible for funding to cover up to 75% of the cost of installing a home chargepoint, if you own and live in a flat or rent any residential property.
Whether you are going on the school run, or an adventure with the family, many electric cars now offer you the power to go further. Some premium electric cars can now offer a whopping 400-mile range of fully-electric driving.
With over 30,000 charging points now accessible in the UK, it's estimated that there will be over 300,000 by 2035 when the Government's ban on petrol and diesel cars comes into action. There's also set to be over 6,000 rapid charging points, which can deliver up to 80% charge in just 30 minutes so you can power up and go quickly.
If you aren't ready to take the plunge and go fully electric just yet, a plug-in hybrid car is a step in the right direction. Offering the reassurance of a petrol or diesel engine, plug-in hybrid cars also have an electric motor which is charged using the energy lost from when you slow down or brake. Plug-in hybrid cars offer a small electric driving range of around 30 miles and can be topped up from the mains, benefitting from lower road tax than petrol or diesel cars.
Scroll through our electric vehicle timeline to find out how things have evolved from the very first known electric model to the revolutionary EVs that we see on our roads today.
View the EV timelineVisit your local Bristol Street Motors dealership to view our electric car range and book a test drive now. If you need some help choosing the right electric car for you, we proudly have 21 EVA approved dealerships across the wider Vertu Motors Group, more than any other UK retailer.
Hybrid electric vehicles, otherwise known as mild hybrids or self-charging hybrids, feature a mix of a petrol or diesel engine with a rechargeable electric battery. Hybrids recycle the energy lost from slowing down and braking, converting it into electric charge that is stored in the battery, which then offers a small range of fully-electric driving.
Like hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric cars also feature a petrol or diesel engine combined with a rechargeable electric motor, which can offer a fully-electric driving range of around 30 miles. Plug-in hybrids offer great fuel efficiency when the battery is regularly charged and can be charged via the mains using a standard three-pin plug.
Battery electric vehicles don't rely on any fuel source and are powered 100% by a rechargeable electric battery. Like hybrids, BEVs also recycle the energy lost from braking and reuse it to power the car. Battery electric vehicles do need to be charged using a charging point, but there's now over 30,000 you can choose from in the UK.
A Bi-Fuel car can be powered by two different types of fuel. Two separate tanks store the different fuel types. Switching to either fuel type can be done manually or automatically when one is empty. Bi-Fuel cars benefit from lower running costs as they typically use LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas).
REX, also known as a Range Extender, can help to banish range anxiety. If your battery is running low, the secondary power outlet can help to top up your battery as you drive. While a range extender doesn’t power the car, it can give you enough power to get to the nearest charging station.
100% electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles both have great advantages. Learn more about which one is best for you and your lifestyle.
A battery electric vehicle is powered by a rechargeable electric battery that can be charged at home or public charging points and has no dependence on fuel.
A hybrid vehicle blends a petrol or diesel engine with a rechargeable electric battery that can be charged from the mains, offering a small range of fully electric driving.
Electric vehicles offer a fun drive with instant acceleration and no need to change gears thanks to an automatic gearbox. Unlike petrol and diesel cars, electric cars create little to no noise on the road.
Hybrid vehicles let you experience the best of both worlds. When driving using full electric energy, you can enjoy quiet, zero emissions driving. But the petrol or diesel engine comes in handy on longer drives to improve performance and efficiency.
Electric cars can look more expensive compared to petrol and diesel cars but work out cheaper in the long run. Smaller running costs, no road tax, and Government grants all help make the switch to electric more cost-effective.
A hybrid car is a great middle ground if you aren't ready to take the plunge and go fully electric. Hybrid's benefit from lower road tax and offer a short electric range, with the added reassurance of being able to fuel up on longer journeys.
If you are looking to lower your car running costs and impact on the environment, a battery electric vehicle is the car for you. Quicker charging, longer driving ranges, and over 30,000 charging points across the UK are just some of the many benefits.
While electric car driving ranges are always improving, if you find yourself driving on the motorway on a regular basis, a hybrid is probably the better option for you. Hybrids give you the flexibility to drive short distances fully electric with the added reassurance of a petrol or diesel engine.
Learn more about our new electric and hybrid car range from world leading manufacturers and make the switch to electric today with Bristol Street Motors.
With over 30,000 charging points in the UK, and more popping up each year, charging your electric car has never been easier. View a live map of your local charging points by clicking the button below.
You can also charge a lot of electric and hybrid vehicles from home using a standard three-pin plug, or a home charging point. If you do decide to install a home charging point, you could be eligible for a grant from the Government to make it more affordable.
How much will it cost to charge an electric car?
It's estimated by Pod Point, who are one of the UK's leading providers of electric charging, that it will cost around £15.10 to fully to charge your electric vehicle at home based on a 60 kWh battery.
Do you need to pay road tax on electric cars?
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) don't need to pay road tax if the electricity comes from an external source, or the car is not connected to any power source when moving. It's important to remember that you still need to apply and renew your road tax annually or risk a fine of up to £1,000.
How quickly can you charge an electric car?
The size of the battery and the speed of the electric charging point can influence the charging time of electric vehicles. Some cars can be fully charged in around eight hours, but charging times are always improving thanks to rapid charging points which can increase your range by up to 100 miles in just 30 minutes.
Are you able to charge electric cars at home?
Electric and hybrid cars can be charged from the convenience of your home, or from public charging points, giving you the flexibility to choose how you charge. A lot of hybrids or plug-in-hybrid cars can be charged from the mains using a standard three-pin plug; however, some electric cars do need a home charging point.
Are Government grants available to help with the cost of an electric car?
Unfortunately, the Government has announced that the Plug-In Vehicle Grant will no longer be offered to new electric vehicle buyers.
The scheme was officially closed on 14th June 2022, with funding set to be refocused towards creating more public charging points and helping taxis, motorcycles, vans and trucks, and wheelchair accessible vehicles make the switch to electric.
Any applications that have already been submitted will still be honoured. If you purchased an electric vehicle in the two working days before the announcement, but haven't submitted an application, you will still qualify for the grant.
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