Pros and Cons of Using an Electric Vehicles

Fossil fuel powered vehicles continue to be the most popular types of cars in the UK. However, the use of electric vehicles is steadily increasing in number. If you are planning to buy a new car and you are contemplating about getting an electric vehicle, understanding its pros and cons can help you come up with the right decision. We listed some of the benefits and drawbacks of using an electric vehicle below.

Electric vehicle pros

• No CO2 emission. One of the most popular benefits of using an electric vehicle is that it doesn’t emit carbon dioxide or other noxious gases. When you use a car that is powered by traditional fuel, it emits CO2 that has a negative effect on the environment and health. Zero CO2 emission means reduced pollutants released to atmosphere which will benefit people, plants, animals and the planet in general.
• Buying grant. With the hope to encourage more people to go green, the government also offers a grant to qualified individuals when they purchase an electric vehicle. You can get a 35% grant from the purchase price; the grant is to a maximum of £3,000. However, there are only specific brands and models that qualify for this grant listed at the UK Government website.  The manufacturer will typically apply on your behalf, and the grant will be automatically deducted from the amount that you will pay.
• Save money. Aside from the grant that you may get from buying an electric vehicle, you will also save money on other areas with its use. It includes the money you save from fuel consumption. Charging cost is lower than the use of traditional fuels. Electric vehicles are also cheaper to maintain. They are also tax-free, except if your electric vehicle falls under the premium rate, which are vehicles that are £40,000 or higher in price.
• Quiet operation. They make little noise compared to their petrol or diesel powered counterparts.

Electric vehicle cons

• Higher buying price. Electric vehicles are still more expensive than fuel powered vehicles. If you do not qualify for the grant, it can leave a gaping hole in the pocket to purchase one.
• Longer charge time. Fuelling a car is still quicker than charging one. Depending on the vehicle and charger, it can take several hours to charge the car fully. For instance, the charging rate can be 7.5 miles per hour if using a regular three-pin socket. If you have a home wall charger, it can be quicker and can be 30 miles per hour. Still, it will take longer compared to fuel.
• Charging station availability. While the number of charging stations is now increasing, they are still not as prevelant as fuel stations. If you run out of charge somewhere and there is no charging station, that can be a huge problem. You need to be careful to ensure that you have enough charge and that there are charging points to the area you are travelling.

If you decide to buy an electric vehicle, you may also consider having a charging point installed in your home. You can get more information about the available options from Power-EV.co.uk. You can also save up to 75% of the installation with the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme.