With the surge in global temperatures raising alarm bells and a cost of living crisis well underway, the appeal of electric vehicles keeps growing. Despite being around for centuries (literally – the first electric car was built in 1884!) many of us are still hesitant to make the switch due to our reliance on traditional petrol or diesel powered vehicles. However, if you find yourself intrigued about switching to electric, here’s a few tips on what to look out for in your first EV!
Know your usage
Are you a regular road tripper? Or do you just nip to the shops and back? The number of miles you regularly clock up should be considered when finding an EV that’s best for you. The average UK commute is a round trip of just 20 miles according to the RAC, so most of today’s electric cars will handle your weekly errands on a single charge. But if you drive further, you should consider a model with a longer range.
Find your local charging spots
For most electric car drivers, the cheapest way to charge is overnight at home. You’ll need a home parking space and a charge point for the fastest and safest home charging. However you may not want to commit to this right away, so finding out where all the local charging spots are around you is a necessity. You find this out by visiting www.fasterevcharge.com/faster-charge/find-an-electric-car-charging-point/
How much does it cost to charge?
Electric cars usually cost hundreds of pounds less to charge compared to filling a comparable vehicle with petrol or diesel. Charging your car at home will always ensure you’re getting the best rate, but many public charge points are still free to use or cost very little in comparison to filling up a car at a petrol pump! Medium and large sized electric cars cost on average between £800 & £900 a year to charge according to which.co.uk. If you compare that to the £3,000+ average spend on a similarly sized petrol or diesel vehicles there really is no comparison.
Research the range
Make sure to do thorough research into the range of the electric vehicle you are looking to buy is paramount before purchase.
Statistics for different models can be found online meaning that the information you need is only a search away but be warned that studies have shown that some of the maximum ranges listed online are not totally accurate and we highly recommend taking any vehicle you are interested in purchasing for a proper test before making your final decision.
Ask for a comprehensive dealer handover
Driving an electric car can be a very different and often daunting experience for a novice. It is recommended that drivers when purchasing their vehicle ask the dealer for a detailed handover whereby they are shown how to effectively operate and get the most out of the vehicle. This is becoming a more commonplace request of leading brand dealerships but it is important to ask for that support if it is not automatically forthcoming.
If you’re still not sure, why not watch our webinar dedicated to this very subject which includes contributions from Simon Acton (Next Eco Car), Elyse Jacks (Energy Saving Trust), Jim Blair (Arnold Clark) and Aaron Callaghan (Lease Plan Ireland)