The government plans to ban the sale of all new fossil fuel cars, which are classified as petrol, diesel cars, and vans, in order to meet the UK’s net zero emission targets and where electric vehicles (EVs) will by then be the most common option for car drivers who wish to purchase a new car. The government’s plan to meet its target is to have the available network and infrastructure set up to accommodate at least 300,000 charging points.
There were approximately 35 million cars on the road in the UK, but only 1.3% were EVs in 2020, and the figure is climbing. The latest figures show that battery electric and hybrid cars accounted for nearly a third of new cars being driven off the forecourts last month, as stated by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. (SMMT). Recent surveys have shown that prospective car buyers are still not totally convinced that there’s an adequate infrastructure in place to be confident enough to invest heavily in a new electric car, and they’re not yet exactly regarded as cheap purchases.
Why are electric cars expensive?
As it stands now, brand new electric cars are costing thousands of pounds more than buying a brand new petrol or diesel car. This is mainly due to the fact that EV batteries are expensive to produce and not only that, it also factors in the additional costs of getting existing factory production lines transformed to manufacture or assemble the new technology.
The good news is that costs for EVs are expected to come down in the near future. A statement from the SMMT read; “the forecasts are showing the price for electric and internal combustion engine cars would cost roughly the same by the end of this decade.”
Don’t forget there are a few potential instant savings to be had when purchasing new electric cars, such as no need for oil changes, as there are fewer moving parts, so less wear, and tear. Even though the cost of replacing batteries is steep, they do come with a guarantee that they’ll last for at least eight years.
Are there enough public chargers in the UK?
Currently, the UK has approximately 30,000 public charging stations, of which two-thirds are classified as “fast” or “rapid” chargers as highlighted by the company Zap-Map. The government is still focused on fulfilling its plans to expand the numbers to 300,000 by 2030.
Currently, only rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are suitable for drivers wishing to recharge on long journeys. Zap-Map has data that shows at the moment there are around 5,500 charging stations, with only 800 of which can be used only by Tesla drivers, using the Tesla Superchargers.
How far can a fully-charged EV go?
The range an electric car can travel will depend on the actual make and model of the EV, but currently, to give you an idea of the sort of distances you can expect from an EV, you will be
looking at around 200-250 miles for a hatch-back car. The range will be increased quite considerably as technology evolves by the end of the decade. Many electric car manufacturers are looking to take full advantage of the new introduction of solid-state batteries, which is still in the development stage.
What if I don’t have a charging unit at home?
It’s estimated that around 18 million (65%) households in the UK, either have or could offer on-street parking for at least one vehicle. This leaves around 8 million households without access to home charging, this also takes into account those living in flats.
To cope with the shortfall, local authorities are currently installing on-street chargers and placing them in public access areas, such as local supermarkets.
Will everyone be driving electric cars in the future?
This a great question, which has been answered by Paul Wilcox of Vauxhall says “seismic changes are coming”. He went on to say, “a huge rise in things like subscription models”, where customers pay monthly to use a car with other costs like insurance and maintenance included.
There is expected to be a new option in the new EV marketplace, this is called “fractional ownership” otherwise referred to as car-sharing clubs. Melanie Shufflebotham of Zap-Map says car sharing could grow in popularity until driverless cars eventually become a reality.
In the not-so-distant future, they’ll be an app available that will enable you to book and order an autonomous car to take you where ever you want to go.
Why not buy a used electric or hybrid car?
Ok, so there are really six questions, this one is the easiest one. WOO Carz, based in Southampton, is a family-run used car dealership that can source a huge selection of quality used cars, which include used electric cars and used hybrid cars. The company’s USP is to use a contactless service by offering customers the ability to purchase any used car online, even via a mobile phone and once the car of your choice is selected, you get it delivered free of charge at your home or place of work. Even if can’t find the used car you are looking for online, WOO Carz has a huge network of partners and units across the UK, so we’re able to provide you with a fully nationwide service.
WOO Carz can even take your old car off your hands and use it as a part exchange to help lower your monthly payments if you decide to apply for quick approval car finance. All this can be done from the comfort of your sofa at home.
To find out more about our products and services, call us now at 02380 225 666 and speak to one of our friendly advisors or to apply for a quick decision on car finance, click here and get approval normally within one hour.
WOO Carz Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 626798. Finance is subject to status.