Extremely Safe Safety is not a concern for electric vehicles as they are just as safe as their petrol and diesel counterparts. Electric batteries are encased in a crash resistant structure to prevent fires and have systems in place that isolate the battery in the event of a collision. The vehicles themselves are fitted with a host of protective features too, from airbags to stability control.
Convenient Charging Charge times depend largely on the type of electric vehicle – plug-in or fully electric – as well as the type of charging point used. A vehicle with a 30kW battery would take around seven hours to charge using a home wall box. The same vehicle may take as little as 45 minutes using a rapid charger. You can get a home charger installed, allowing you to easily charge your electric vehicle at a time that suits you. Alternatively there are an increasing amount of public charging points across the UK, so range anxiety is now a thing of the past.
Financial Incentives Buyers can save up to £3,500 when buying an electric car thanks to the Plug-in Car Grant. Many models also offer reduced or zero vehicle tax, depending on their emissions and you may also benefit from free or discounted parking charges in towns and cities, allowing you to save even more money. Businesses can also benefit as they can write down 100% of the purchase price of an EV against corporate tax liability.
Reduced Driving Emissions Fully electric cars have zero tailpipe emissions – unlike vehicles with a combustion engine, they do not emit any CO2 or NOx. By choosing an electric vehicle, you are contributing to cleaner air quality as your car will emit zero local emissions. Plug-in Hybrid vehicles also have significantly reduced emissions if you're not ready to take the plunge into electric.
Quieter Engine Electric cars are battery powered, meaning there’s no engine noise. This means that electric vehicles are far quieter than their petrol and diesel counterparts. Many electric vehicles are now fitted with a noise-emitting device, which activates at speeds of under 12mph and during reversing. This is to ensure that pedestrians are able to hear the vehicle, allowing you to safely drive in urban areas.
Low Running Costs Running an electric vehicle can cost as little as 2-4p per mile, depending on the electricity source and the size of the battery. Topping up from a rapid charger – such as a Pod Point charger found in supermarkets – typically costs £6-7 for 30 minutes. Recharging at home may cost as little as £12 on an overnight tariff.