Should I Buy An Electric Car?

Conversations About Electric Cars And Desserts Have Become The Norm At Social Gatherings

For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

I find myself discussing plug-in electric cars in all sorts of gatherings, social and work. In social gatherings, the conversation is never instigated by me, but invariably the topic comes up for discussion. The first question posed is, ‘should I buy an electric car?’ Followed by a rather animated debate and irresistible dessert.

I am always hugely encouraged by these conversations. This only means one thing. The transition of zero-emission electric cars from a niche emission free solution to mainstream transportation is firmly underway. Many of those seeking answers, are looking to either change their incumbent petrol or diesel vehicle or buy a new one.

Volumes have been written on the ‘top reasons’ to buy an electric vehicle (EV). I will certainly get to it. But let me commence with, why you should not buy an EV.

Jaguar IPACE SUV Electric — **The All-Electric Jaguar I-PACE SUV (credit: JLR)**

Two Reasons To Avoid Buying An EV

1). You travel well over 300 miles on a regular basis and do not have access to public charging or workplace charging EV stations

Most of us certainly do not travel such distances on a regular basis. The average owner of an internal combustion engine (ICE) or EV, will travel significantly less distances. The average annual mileage in the UK is 8,000 miles i.e. just over 20 miles a day! Moreover, the average commute distance is a mere 12 miles. The drive to your local school, grocery store, gym, high street etc., is at best a couple of miles.

**The All-Electric Tesla Model S Saloon (credit:Tesla)**

Most recent BEV models can travel between 150 to 300 miles (WLTP) on a single charge. BEVs therefore can easily meet the requirements of most drivers, even the most demanding ones. In fact, popular pure electric cars like the Tesla Model S Long Range can travel up to 412 miles on a full charge.

Now if you happen to be that individual that travels over 300 miles regularly without access to public charging or workplace charging , I would encourage a move to a lower emission vehicle like a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). This way you can travel long distances with a reduced carbon footprint.

2). You do not feel the need for clean air

Again, if you are like me and most other people I know, you crave clean air, just like a child hungers for an ice cream. Many of us travel significant distances to isolated corners of the world for just a breather. I get this. I do the same. I was in Darjeeling in the Himalayas a month ago for the very same reason.

But honestly, we do not need to travel across continents to breathe clean air. The solution is at our door step, right under our noses. It is called zero emission transportation, more commonly referred to as EV driving. It is a staggering and shocking statistic. Nearly, 60% of emissions in the UK are a result of emissions from road transportation. This significant increase in health problems and deaths as a result of increased emission, further amplify the urgency of the problem.

And honestly, one does not have to be an environmental activist to achieve this very basic epiphany. It does reassure me that many everyday people like myself, have come to the realisation that road transportation can be clean and economical. So, bottom-line, there really are very few valid and robust arguments for not getting behind the steering wheel of an emission-free, smoother and more economical driving experience.

Three Reasons To Buy An Electric Car

1). Lower maintenance costs

It may surprise you at first, but electric cars are much easier to maintain compared to polluting petrol and diesel cars. The reason for this is simple. Electric cars have very few moving parts compared to internal combustion engines. Therefore, less can go wrong or breakdown, resulting in lower costs. Now you do not have to commence another long weekend forking out hard earned money for the repair of your petrol guzzler. You can instead use the money saved from driving an EV to get to a nice destination and treat the family to a well deserved holiday!

2). Lower cost to fill up (recharge)!

ashvin suri e-zoomed founder — **You Can Recharge A Pure Electric Car For £5 (Ashvin Suri, Founder e-zoomed)**

Yes, you have read this correctly. How many times have you driven around looking for the cheapest petrol station, in the hope to save yourself a few pennies when filling fuel. Well, with a pure electric vehicle, which by the way, does not even have a fuel tank, you don’t need to do that anymore. Instead, just before bedtime, after your last cup of tea, plug-in the EV to charge overnight. Now that is what I call a good night’s sleep. Awake the next morning to find a fully charged EV costing between £3 to £8 for a full charge versus £50 to £85 for a full tank of fuel.

3). Lower taxes and incentives: take advantage while it lasts!

No, you do not need to emigrate to some desolate island to lower your vehicle tax burden or cost of vehicle ownership. You can achieve that, living and driving right here in the United Kingdom. I encourage individuals to take advantage of the generous UK government plug-in car grant (PiCG) towards the cost of purchase of a pure electric car. Also take advantage of lower to zero vehicle excise duty (VED), congestion charge, parking, and the grant towards home charging.

There are many more valid and exciting reasons to start your individual emission-free journey. But the above is a good start to get you into gear! You can save by buying your first, second or third electric car by letting us help you. Just follow this link.

Nissan Leaf Hatch Electric — **The All-Electric Nissan Leaf EV (credit: Nissan)**

Two Practical Tips for Buying an EV

1). Rent before you buy

Please do no get carried away by the sales pitch of an over enthusiastic car salesperson. Of course, listen to all he or she has to say, but before you buy your EV, rent one.

By renting an EV will you truly understand if an electric car is right for you. By this I mean, answering at least some of the following questions if not more:

Is an electric car as easy to drive as people say?
Is an EV as smooth a drive as written in so many reviews?
Is charging really quite as easy as making my evening tea?
Is going for the school run fun? Do the kids love driving in a pollution free environment?
Does my workplace have charging?
For the longer distance trips I may do on a regular basis, does the EV meet my needs?

The list of questions you can assess are endless. But they all have one theme in common. ‘practicality’.

2). Do not buy the most expensive EV

If you are new to EVs, I would suggest to start with a smaller budget for your first green electric car. It is better to upgrade overtime, instead of finding yourself stranded with an expensive car you can hardly afford. Of course, cheapest is not always the best and I would suggest looking at the mid range. Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe and Kia e-Niro are certainly worth considering.

**The All-Electric Renault Zoe (credit: Renault)**

Conclusion

The desserts and the conversation on EVs will no doubt continue. In time, the discussions will evolve to comparing driving experiences of EV drivers as the adoption of electric cars matures.

I am certainly looking forward to the future. Much cleaner air and more tempting desserts!

wallbox EV charger — **EV Charging Stations Available Via e-zoomed** **(credit: Wallbox)**

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