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If you’re keen to embrace more sustainable ways of living, then you might be considering what form of transport is most environmentally friendly.
While walking or cycling to work makes no impact on the environment, the fact remains that these are not always feasible options. Those who live a long distance from their place of employment, or have to juggle school runs and other commitments that require more extensive travel, will no doubt prefer a car for easy access.
Electric cars are one of the most viable options for people who want to commit to environmentally friendly journeys. They allow us to travel long distances with barely any emissions and often provide superior speed and features to regular diesel or petrol-powered vehicles (read more below). In fact, both governments and car manufacturers seem to envision our future as an electric one. Many famous car makers are vowing to transition to electric-only production over the course of the next few years.
At the same time, the infrastructure required to charge these vehicles has become more widespread, with more charging stations being added across the globe. Exciting new concepts such as electric roads are also being pioneered to help charge cars, either while they are travelling or when parked.
As the shift towards electric vehicles accelerates, the expansion of charging infrastructure is keeping pace to support this transition. Companies like commercial EV charging solutions provided by Gobins are becoming more common in places like office complexes and shopping centers. These developments are making it easier for drivers to access charging stations as part of their daily routines. More and more drivers are finding electric vehicles convenient and feasible, making the vision of an electric future a reality.
But how ‘green’ are electric cars, really? What are the benefits of these vehicles, both for the environment and for us as drivers? If you’re still on the fence about trading in your motor for a new electric model, here are some of the most important reasons for making the switch and going electric.
They Benefit The Planet
The most significant advantage of adopting electric cars around the world is how environmentally friendly they are compared to other vehicles. Because they are powered by batteries rather than by burning fuel, they emit barely any emissions. If more people across the globe swapped their old cars for electric models, the production of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide would be greatly reduced. Carbon dioxide is a significant driver of global warming, so the less we can produce, the better.
The widespread use of electric vehicles will also help to ensure cleaner air, which is particularly important in large towns and cities where pollution can be a major cause of illnesses such as respiratory complaints.
They Are Cheaper To Run
On average, an electric vehicle will be cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel car, particularly when global unrest and rising inflation can lead to a spike in fuel prices. Of course, the exact cost of charging your EV will depend both on the type of electric vehicle you own and the energy tariff you are on, but it is possible to make big savings by switching to a battery-powered car.
EVs are also cheaper in other respects. For one thing, they are much less likely to require regular repairs and maintenance, as they do not have a complicated combustion engine, and you won’t have to worry about expensive car tax. EVs will also save you money when it comes to congestion charges in built-up areas, as you will not have to pay.
Unfortunately, the one area where electric cars can cost you a little more is insurance. However, you shouldn’t skimp on your coverage, so it’s worth doing your homework and finding a cost-effective insurance policy that provides extensive protection, such as the policies powered by LV Insurance.
Impressive Performance
In the past, if you wanted a car that looked and felt powerful and appealing, then you probably wouldn’t have envisioned an electric vehicle. However, these days there are electric cars that look and perform better than their fuel-powered counterparts.
Not only can they accelerate much faster, but they also provide more torque, greater power, and better handling, thanks to their low centre of gravity. This makes them pleasurable to drive, whether you’re just popping to the shops or hitting the motorway.
Arguably, the most impressive electric car is the Tesla Model S, which managed to achieve 0-60mph in a mind-blowing 1.99 seconds, amply demonstrating the staggering acceleration that electric vehicles can provide. However, you may also be impressed by the achievements of the Volkswagen I.D. R, which not only became the fastest electric car to scale Pike’s Peak but became the fastest car to climb the notorious hill full-stop, beating the record by a definitive 15 seconds.
EVs Will Eventually Become A Legal Requirement
While it is still legal to purchase a new petrol or diesel motor, in the not-too-distant future, it may not be, depending on the country you reside in. For instance, the UK has set out its plans to ban the sales of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles starting in 2030. In addition, the introduction of new hybrids will possibly only be allowed until 2035. This doesn’t mean that driving a car with a combustion engine will be illegal from then onwards, but the fact remains that, over time, as the remaining petrol or diesel cars grow older and begin to break down, they will gradually be replaced by EVs.
Driving an electric vehicle makes it easier for you to adhere to other regulations too. For instance, in towns and cities across the UK, you can now find free parking spaces with charging points that are designated for electric vehicles only. In Lancashire, parking a fuel-powered car in one of these spots could see you to incur a substantial fine.
Congestion charges are also being increasingly rolled out across the UK, particularly in the London area, although other cities have also been following suit. Unless you are driving an EV, you will have to pay every time you pay a visit to these Low Emissions Zones.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Many drivers hesitate to make the transition to an electric vehicle because they are worried about what might happen if something goes wrong with the very expensive battery. Fortunately, these days this needn’t be such a pressing concern, partly because EV manufacturers provide lengthy warranties to help put their customers’ minds at ease. For instance, if you were to purchase an Audi e-Tron or a Hyundai Ioniq 5, you would receive an eight-year warranty for up to 100,000 miles.
Meanwhile, Tesla has been tempting would-be EV purchasers with the prospect of its so-called “million-mile battery”, which seeks to guarantee that you will be able to drive your car for a million miles or more before the battery undergoes any significant deterioration.
If you are still worried, however, you may be reassured by the fact that research indicates that the batteries used in electric cars take much longer to degrade than once thought.
And Finally – EVs Are Now Much Quicker To Charge
While electric vehicles used to take a long time to fully recharge – a fact that used to be off-putting for potential buyers – the charging time for some models has increased exponentially in recent years. Newer releases, such as the Tesla Model S and the Kia EV6 take no more than 30 minutes to charge up to 80% from 0. While this can’t compare with the time it takes to fuel up a regular vehicle, it’s still a substantial improvement, and you can make your car’s charging time more convenient for you.
Whether by installing a charging point at home using public chargers while you’re at work or grabbing some groceries, there are plenty of opportunities to charge your EV while you are occupied with other tasks.
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