When is the best time to switch to an electric vehicle?

Why now is the best time to purchase an electric vehicle

With around 22,000 new electric vehicles hitting the UK’s roads last year, there is no doubt that electric vehicle (EV) market is booming.

Since the government announced plans to bring forward a ban on the sale of new petrol or diesel cars to 2035, interest in electric vehicles has risen. And with many areas across the UK set to become Clean Air Zones in 2021, now could be the perfect time to make the switch to an electric vehicle.

It is not only the changes to legislation that is influencing people to go electric. The green credentials and low running costs of EVs are encouraging car owners to wise up to the benefits of going electric.

Electric vehicles may have once been seen as a poor alternative to the motor vehicle, but thanks to the likes of Tesla, the way people view electric vehicles has changed.

Today, most big-name car manufacturing brands are releasing some fantastic electric numbers to keep up with demand.

So, should you consider swapping your fuel-powered number for something battery operated? We give you the lowdown on why now is the perfect time to hit the road in an electric vehicle.

Zero emissions

One of the main reasons people are drawn to purchasing an electric vehicle is because of how great they are for the environment.

EVs produce zero emissions, meaning if you drive one, you are playing your part in reducing the impact of CO2 and greenhouse gasses on our planet. In fact, the average EV driver may help to save up to 660kg of carbon dioxide a year. Brilliant!

And because electric vehicles are so green, drivers will still be able to enter the UKs Clean Air Zones when they come in to force in 2021. Areas including Birmingham, Leeds and Bath will be joining London in cleaning up their acts when it comes to air pollution. Clean Air Zones will discourage certain diesel or petrol cars through a charging system, but anyone with an electric vehicle will be able to enter for free.

Cheaper running costs

If you decide to buy an electric vehicle, you will be able to take advantage of their much cheaper running costs.

On average, it will cost you around £4 to drive 100 miles in an electric vehicle. But to drive the same distance in a petrol or diesel car you will pay three times more, thanks to the UK’s fuel costs.

When it comes to the cost of maintenance and tax, EV owners triumph once again over those with motor vehicles. Servicing an electric vehicle is around half the price, and tax comes in significantly cheaper or often, free.

Low maintenance

All cars need a little bit of TLC from time to time, but electric vehicles are actually far lower maintenance than their gas-guzzling counterparts.

Compared to traditional vehicles that have hundreds of moving parts just waiting to go wrong, electric vehicles only have around 20 parts to contend with. With no engine, exhaust, fuel tank or pistons to keep running, EVs are far easier to keep in good working order.

Not only are they less likely to run in to problems, the cost of repair is generally much lower. Electric vehicles still need to be serviced regularly, but these services are usually much more minor as there are less parts to look over.

Wide range of choice

With electric vehicles becoming more and more popular over the last few years, it is no surprise that manufacturers are launching new electric vehicle models all the time.
In fact, there is actually more choice than ever in 2020, with plenty of high-quality models available to suit a range of budgets.

Dependent on your needs, you can pick from lower budget models like the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe, or opt for a top of the range EV such as the Tesla Model X or the Jaguar I-Pace.

Whatever your requirements, it is really easy to find an electric vehicle that suits you down to a tee.

Fast and convenient charging

With charging times coming down dramatically over the last few years, and the public charging network set to expand even further, getting on the road in your EV has never been easier.

EV owners can even benefit from at-home charging, meaning you are always ready to go each morning. You can either use an extension cable to charge your EV via the mains, or invest in a fast charging point to be located wherever is most convenient.

Here at PlusHeat, we offer at-home EV charger installation. Our team of experts will help you choose the EV charger which best suits your home and arrange for a friendly electrician to carry out your installation. Best of all, our chargers are OLEV grant approved meaning more money in your back pocket.

Government grants and tax reductions

Did you know that you can actually get money off if you buy a brand-new electric vehicle?

Support from the Government means dealerships and manufacturers can offer you a discount of up to £3500 on a new electric car. There are various rates of saving for vans, taxis, motorcycles, and large goods vehicles too.

As well as that, EVs that cost under £40,000 are exempt from paying road tax, giving you another significant saving if you choose to go electric.

Other cost saving perks of owning an EV include the ability to move around London’s congestion zones charge free, and free parking in certain urban locations. These benefits will apply in the new Clean Air Zones later in 2021 too.

Will you take the leap and switch to an electric vehicle? With the benefits only set to increase over the coming years, now is a great time to consider ditching the diesel and getting out on the open road, EV style!

Don’t forget, with PlusHeat electric vehicle charger installation, it is quick and easy to get up and running at home. Make sure you are fully charged for your next adventure by getting in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team.