If you are thinking about getting an electric car and are just starting out with researching and looking into your different options, then you probably have a lot of questions to ask. If you have never owned or driven an electric car before, then your biggest questions might be regarding the day to day practicalities of being an electric car driver. And even if this is not going to be your first experience with an electric car, you might still be confused by some of the language and new features, especially as electric cars are being improved and changed on a regular basis.
Keep reading to find out more about switching to an electric car and to get answers to some of the main questions that you might have, to make it easier for you to find the electric car that is a good fit for you.
What are the Benefits of Electric Cars?
There are lots of benefits of making the switch to an electric car. Not only are they undeniably better for the environment, but they also have less maintenance due to fewer moving parts; they are easy and convenient to drive; have lower running costs, especially with the rising cost of fuel; and they tend to hold on to their resale value better compared to traditional petrol and diesel cars. Along with this, people who are interested in getting an electric car can also access various government grants that are in place to help make the switch more affordable, including grants to cover some of the cost of installing an electric car charging station at your home.
Why Are More People Getting Electric Cars?
There are many reasons why people are ditching traditional cars and making the switch to electric car leasing. When you are leasing an electric car, there are much cheaper running costs compared to a traditional car including no need to pay for the rising cost of fuel right now, exemptions from car tax and no Congestion Charge if you are driving in London. Electric cars are also much better for the environment as they have no exhaust emissions, so it’s no surprise that they are a popular choice among people who are concerned about their impact on the planet.
Choosing the Best Electric Car for You
If you are looking into leasing an electric car, one of the biggest questions is which model to go for. As more and more models are released onto the market, this is becoming one of the biggest decisions to make. Just a few years ago, there were only a few electric car models to choose from, making the decision fairly easy. But today, there are many more on offer from several manufacturers.
Since the range is now no longer such a big concern as it has been improved, many electric car drivers choose their vehicle based on something more interesting such as features, how it drives, storage space, how it looks, or even how cheap it is to insure. You can get more information on charging, insuring, and maintaining your electric car at ElectriX in their latest guide to electric cars. ElectriX is a great informational resource for people who are interested in making the switch, helping to ensure that you have all the relevant details before you make your choice.
Driving an Electric Car
It can be easy to focus on the environmental benefits and the money that you will save if you drive an electric car, but what are they actually like to drive? Electric cars can be a lot of fun, as unlike conventional petrol and diesel engines, electric cars can produce their maximum torque immediately from a standstill. This means that you can enjoy a lot of benefits when driving such as less noise and fewer vibrations when driving, improved acceleration, fewer or no gears to worry about, and more engaging driving due to a lower centre of gravity thanks to heavy batteries that are mounted in the floor of the car.
What to Look for in an Electric Car
If you are planning to lease an electric car, then one of the main things to consider is what you plan to use it for. A smaller electric car might be an ideal choice for you if you need a city car to get to work or are shopping for a second car to use for shorter journeys. Or, if your family is expanding and you need a car that offers more space, then an electric SUV or larger hatchback might be the ideal option. Whatever electric car model you decide on, the most important thing is that it will fit in with your lifestyle. You need to consider various factors such as the range, how it is charged, and how your driving style and mileage requirements are going to affect this. Some of the main things to think about include:
Mileage Requirements
Before choosing the right electric car for you, think about the regular journeys that you make. On average, the UK commute is a round trip of twenty miles, so most electric cars that are on the market today will handle your weekly commuting easily on a single charge. However, if your commute is longer or you make regular long journeys outside of going to work, then it might be worth making a longer range a bigger priority when choosing the right car for you.
Charging the Car
How you are going to charge the car is another main factor to consider before you make a final decision. For most people who drive an electric car, charging overnight at home is the easiest option. However, this might not be viable for everybody since you will need access to a home parking space such as a garage or driveway and a charging station set up for fast and safe charging. If you are planning to charge your electric car at home, then it’s important to get the right electricity tariff to ensure that you are not spending more than necessary.
No Suitable Home Charging Space?
If you do not have a suitable home charging space, for example, if your car is parked on the street outside your home or you live in a flat, then there’s no need to worry as you can still get an electric car. In the UK, there are currently more than thirty thousand public electric car charging points available, and the network is growing constantly. Sometimes, you can use public charging points for free depending on how long you need to use them for. Many are located at supermarkets and offer fast charging so that you can charge your car while you are getting your groceries and return to a full charge.
Driving Style
Finally, think about how you drive before you commit to an electric car. Like with petrol or diesel cars, how you drive will affect the amount of electricity that you are using on any journey. Slow and smooth driving will maximise your range and allow you to get more from a full charge. On the other hand, driving at high speeds and braking harshly will cause your battery to lose charge faster.
Electric cars are becoming more and more popular across the UK for good reasons. Before you commit to making the switch, there are a few key things to consider.
