Is an electric vehicle right for you?

Technology doesn’t slow down for anyone. Since the introduction of electric vehicles to UK roads, over a million people have switched from petrol to battery power. It’s an electric-triggered exodus leaving many road users wondering whether it’s time to make the switch. Let’s find out.

Driving an electric vehicle

Who’s to say whether an electric vehicle is right for you? Until you get behind the steering wheel (or ‘yoke’ in Tesla’s case), you’ll never know. What you can expect is a smooth, quiet and quick ride with a pedal-to-performance response time that’s difficult to find with conventional alternatives.

For born petrolheads, an artificial engine sound is available with many EV models. It means pedestrians can hear you coming, and you still have the option to drown the neighbours in decibels (if that’s your kind of thing).

Benefits of an electric vehicle

You’re probably familiar with the main benefits of an electric vehicle, but here’s an overview just in case.

Cheaper to run

Electric vehicles typically have lower maintenance and repair costs, which means they’re more affordable to run than petrol or diesel alternatives.

Fewer parts to replace

With fewer mechanical components, you can save up to 40% on servicing costs compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. It all adds up.

Lower vehicle exercise duty (VED)

The current rate for EVs registered on or after 1 April 2025 is £10 for the first year, followed by a standard yearly rate of £165. For petrol or diesel, it can cost up to £945.

Cleaner vehicle discount

Electric vehicles emit zero tailpipe emissions which means they qualify for the cleaner vehicle discount on the London congestion charge until December 2025.

Free parking

Depending on initiatives set out by your local authority, you might be entitled to free parking and use of bus lanes.

Charging your electric vehicle

While we wait for the UK’s infrastructure to catch up, electric vehicle owners without off-street chargers might find the whole thing a bit of a nuisance. That said, great strides are being made in creating more charge points. Many councils are investing in EV charging on lampposts, and Vauxhall is running a campaign to electrify UK streets. It seems that with every passing week, a new charging station is popping up outside gyms, shops, restaurants and public car parks. We like it.

Cost of an electric vehicle

Even the cheapest electric vehicles are still relatively expensive compared to their fossil-fuelled counterparts. For an entry-level Tesla, you won’t get much change out of £40,000, which is enough to put most of us off.

But before you turn your back on those hefty, upfront price tags, it’s worth calculating the savings you’ll make in the long run. Reduced road tax, free parking, cheaper repairs and maintenance – it all adds up, especially if you keep your EV in good condition.

Protecting batteries in electric vehicles

Electric vehicle batteries typically last 10 to 20 years, depending on how well they’re maintained. You can extend the battery life by not letting it go too low on charge, not charging it fully and not exposing your vehicle to extreme temperatures.

Get in touch

For more advice about electric vehicles or the average costs of EV servicing maintenance and repairs, call our team on 01273 584987.