With the 2030 ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel vehicles, the move to an electric future for the automotive industry is nearing. The United Kingdom is leading the way to a greener future and is set to be the fastest G7 country to decarbonise new cars and vans. The UK is working with international partners, governments, industries, businesses and society to make the transition to zero-emission vehicles more efficient for all.
Hybrid vehicles will be available to purchase as new for a further five years on the condition that they can cover a significant distance in zero-emission mode. Meaning that after 2035, all new cars on the market will be pure electric or hydrogen-powered.
If you are considering buying a new car in 2023, should you make the move to electric power now?
There are a number of benefits to making the switch to an electric vehicle (EV) with the most notable mention being for a cleaner environment. EVs are zero-emission at the point of use which reduces the drivers’ carbon footprint considerably. The main efficiency of EVs are their use of power as around 70% of the power reaches the wheels of an electric car, compared to only 20% of power produced by a combustion engine. The positive impact on local air pollution is also vital, particularly in congested cities.
There is a noticeable impact on noise pollution as electric vehicles are so quiet that they are now required to have an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System so that they emit a sound when reversing or travelling below 12 mph.
EV owners also benefit from lower running costs not only in terms of fuel costs, despite the recent increases in electricity, but also in terms of maintenance and road tax. The battery motor in electric cars requires no oil changes, no engine component replacements, and won’t have the same general wear and tear that a petrol or diesel engine would. As there are fewer moving parts in an electric vehicle, owners will deal with less maintenance and it leads to a longer lifespan for the vehicle itself. Regenerative braking technology uses braking energy to charge the battery which improves fuel efficiency and also leads to less wear and tear on the tyres and brakes.
The torque available from an electric motor means that the initial acceleration offered by electric vehicles is more responsive to the driver. As well as this, regenerative braking means that the car starts ‘braking’ before the driver's foot touches the pedal. As the batteries in an EV are typically located low in the car’s chassis, it leads to a lower centre of gravity which improves handling and improves the overall journey.
EVs are future proof in that they are typically well-equipped and sit towards the top of a manufacturer’s trim levels. The electric-specific features also mean that there is plenty of tech available and manufacturers offer regular software updates that drivers can complete from home. As EVs become more widely adopted, so will the surrounding infrastructure, particularly as we near the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel vehicles.
EVs have been ideal for drivers in the city or urban areas where traffic congestion and emissions are high. However, due to the limited range of some EV models and the limited availability of charging stations in some areas, some EV owners may find it hard to plan longer trips. However, to facilitate the transition to EVs, the UK is continually developing the charging infrastructure so that charging points are more widely available. This will only improve more towards 2030 when the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is put into practice.
Drivers with off-street parking will benefit from the convenience of at-home charging, where they won’t have the inconvenience of stopping on a journey to fill the tank. Without off-street parking, it can be difficult for EV drivers to recharge their cars in a residential area particularly without a dedicated parking bay. To tackle this the government have introduced the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme which is introducing new options for on-street charging such as lamp-post charging which is easing the pressure on local councils.
The environmental benefits of an electric car can be further increased by using renewable energy to charge, whether this is via a solar panel system installed in the home or the switch to a renewable energy supplier.
EVs are generally more expensive for consumers to purchase, however the reduced operating and maintenance costs associated with EVs means that the total cost remains generally lower.
The range of EVs varies depending on the model and it's battery capacity. Before going electric, drivers should consider how they use their vehicles, what range they would typically need for their day-to-day travel, and where they would have access to EV charging points. Especially as charging times, even at fast-charging stations, take longer than refuelling, and so it would not be an option for many drivers to stop mid-journey to top up their charge.
SERE Motors currently offer four new EVs from the Belfast Showroom, as well as a range of electric and hybrid used vehicles from both the Belfast and Lisburn showrooms.