After years of driving a petrol car, the move to an electric vehicle (EV) can be very daunting. Range anxiety, cost and slow top-ups are often cited as reasons not to make the move and up until a few years ago these were probably still very valid points.
But things are changing rapidly.
At the end of 2016, just 0.4% of all new vehicles registered were electric. By 2023 this had risen to 23.9% of new car registrations. [3]
Easy faster charging
Charging at home is ultra convenient, but a couple of years ago, finding a charging point away from home could be a challenge.
However, there are now four times more public charging stations in the UK than petrol stations (34,570 vs. 8,500) with 20,000 new chargers being added each year [2]. This represents a year on year increase of 46%[1].
Charging times are getting faster too. A 240 mile journey in an EV might mean just a 5 minute top-up en route. That’s less time than a quick loo stop takes (and yes we have timed this!) This is possible because faster chargers becoming available. Most of the 20,000 chargers installed last year were ‘rapid’ chargers or above. Rapid charger are rated at 50Kw, while ultra rapid chargers deliver 100Kw or more. The fastest chargers are now capable of adding 175 miles of range in 15 minutes[5] while you go and enjoy a coffee.
Faster charging and more chargers means it’s much less likely you will get to a charging location to find all the charging points taken.
Lower costs
EVs are getting cheaper to buy.
As the cost of making batteries comes down and the market becomes more competitive, prices are coming down. In June 2024, prices of new EVs were down 18%. [2]
In July 2024, nearly one in five of all new car registrations in the UK were electric cars.[3]
That is bringing down the price of second-hand EVs. You can now buy a three-year-old Tesla Model 3s or Kia e-Niros that will do 250-300 miles on a single charge for around £14,000[4].
EVs are cheaper to run.
Charge at home on a cheap overnight tariff and our experience is that even a light EV user will likely save over a £1,000 a year on energy costs compared with petrol. Charging away from home is more expensive, so it’s worth shopping around, but even the most expensive chargers are still cheaper than petrol.
Maintenance tends to be cheaper too as there are fewer moving parts compared with traditional cars. Even the brakes last longer as ‘one pedal driving’ means you use the motors rather than brakes to slow the car down, which generates power that can be fed back into the battery.
Driving experience
EVs are also incredibly fun to drive. No one will forget their first time driving an EV. The silent, smooth acceleration is an incredible experience.
If you have questions about EVs and would like to talk to someone local and impartial, contact us and we’d be happy to chat.
Disclaimer:
This article was written by a SWaCS EV driver and we have no commercial interest in promoting EV sales.
Sources:
[1] Zap-Map
https://www.zap-map.com/ev-stats/how-many-charging-points
[2] Octopus Energy
https://octopus.energy/blog/should-you-get-electric-car-ev-2024/
[3] Zap-Map
https://www.zap-map.com/ev-stats/ev-market/
[4] The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/24/spectacular-bargains-why-now-is-a-great-time-to-buy-an-electric-car-in-the-uk
[5] Tesla UK
https://www.tesla.com/en_gb/model3