In the UK, the sale of brand-new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030. This will mean new car buyers will have to opt for an eco-friendly vehicle to help towards the UK’s net zero target. Whilst 2030 may feel a while away, more drivers are considering adopting an electric or hybrid model now. If you’re yet to take the plunge, the article below looks at how adopting an eco-friendly vehicle could change your life and save you money!
What is an eco-friendly vehicle?
Eco-friendly simple means environmentally friendly and when something is designed to have a reduced or no impact on the environment. The most eco-friendly vehicles are fully electric as they produce zero harmful emissions. Hybrid cars are eco-friendly but do still have a petrol and diesel engine present and depending on which type of hybrid you choose; the engine could be used more. Petrol and diesel cars aren’t environmentally friendly as they produce emissions such as CO2 into the air when driving. These emissions speed up the rate of climate change and are damaging to human health. Switching to an electric vehicle will not only help the environment but also promotes cleaner air for all.
Why are electric and hybrid cars so beneficial?
If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint and invest in an eco-friendly vehicle, you may be wondering how it could benefit your life. There are so many reasons why getting an EV could improve your life.
- Better for the environment. There’s no surprise the biggest reason to get an eco-friendly car is to reduce the impact you have on the environment. Eco-friendly cars produce less emissions or no emissions at all and help to improve overall health for everyone.
- Save money. Eco-friendly vehicles tend to benefit from lower running costs when compared to a petrol or diesel equivalent. It cost considerably less to recharge an EV than it does to refuel with petrol. Eco-friendly cars tend to be much more efficient and can even have lower servicing and maintenance costs too.
- Better performance. Due to the build structure of electric and many hybrid cars, they tend to outperform their rivals. They have a lower centre of gravity which helps to improve safety, responsiveness, and handling. The electric motors also provide instant torque for faster acceleration and performance.
- More funding options. There are many electric cars you can buy on finance with no deposit to pay if you are struggling to pay for an electric car in full. Due to their modern technology, electric and hybrid cars tend to have higher price tags, but it can depend on which make and model you choose.
What should you be mindful of?
It wouldn’t be fair to only discuss the benefits of EVs without quickly touching on why an electric car may not be the best choice for your situation.
- More expensive. As mentioned above, electric and hybrid cars can have higher price tags due to the more expensive technology used. If you’re worried your car affordability won’t stretch to an EV, you could consider finance to help spread the cost. However, car finance is always subject to status and may not be offered to everyone.
- Battery charging. There are more EV charging points across the UK than ever, but many drivers still feel it is not enough. Range anxiety is a common worry for EV drivers who fear they may run out of charge before they reach their destination.
- Long recharging times. Not only is range anxiety an issue but drivers also have to spend a lot longer recharging their vehicles then they do refuel with petrol or diesel. The fastest of charges can guarantee 0-80% charge in 30 minutes but it will never compare with a 5-minute trip to the petrol station.
Battery lifespan. Electric cars have been around for a number of years, but many drivers still feel there is little knowledge around them. On average, EV battery warranties is around 8 years or 100,000 miles but many drivers are worried how long their EV battery would actually last through ownership.