Electric cars are increasingly growing in popularity. Now, many people are deciding to ditch their petrol and diesel cars in favour of electric. Although electric cars are better for the environment, they come at a price. Therefore, before you decide to switch, there are a few things you will need to consider. This article is going to discuss eight of them in more detail.
Your Required Range
What is the average distance you drive each day? This is an important question to ask yourself before switching to an electric vehicle. Although they are improving as technology evolves, electric cars have a much shorter range than diesel or petrol cars. So, if you are driving a long distance each day, your car will quickly start to run out of charge.
If you require a high range from an electric vehicle, you will need to do your research. There is plenty of advice online regarding electric vehicles with the most extended range. If you are unsure of the average distance – you drive each day, start writing down your daily mileage to give you a rough idea. If you drive long distances each day, this is certainly something you will need to consider before making the switch to an electric vehicle.
Charging Options
When driving an electric vehicle, it is important to remember that it is not as simple as filling up a petrol or diesel car when it runs out of charge. You can’t fuel up the car and drive off instantly. In fact, you will need to wait hours for your car to fully recharge. Therefore, you must consider your charging options. Are there enough local charging ports around your local area?
If your local area does not have enough charging points for electric vehicles, you will need to consider installing one in your home. However, expect to pay a hefty price tag for this. The average cost will set you back anywhere between £400 and £800. It is important to note that the government offers grants to people who use greener solutions like electric vehicles. So, the money could help fund your home charging point.
If your home is equipped with solar panels, it will enable to place Dcbel’s EV charger. Its ability to integrate solar energy into your vehicle charger along with an offboard inverter means you can charge your car with the power of the sun. Drivers simply plug their car into their Dcbel’s EV charger when they return home for the evening. The battery replenishes overnight, and by morning, it’s ready to roll.
Battery Life
One of the great qualities of electric vehicles is their lack of parts. This means there will be less maintenance needed. However, one thing you do need to consider is the battery. Eventually, most electric vehicles will need to replace their battery as they degrade over time. You will notice that the range of your car is a lot shorter than usual. This is because they will struggle to charge.
If you do not drive long distances most days, you will not need to replace your battery as regularly. Typically, an electric car battery should last you for 100,000 miles. The price of a battery replacement will depend on the car model. It can cost you around £5000. However, expect to pay a lot more for the expensive models like Tesla.
Leasing
It is no surprise that electric cars are a hefty upfront cost. Before making this significant financial commitment, you may want to consider more cost-effective ways to purchase one. Instead of buying a vehicle outright, you could consider electric car leasing. The resale value of these vehicles will decrease over time as technology is constantly evolving. Therefore, considering electric car leasing rids you of depreciation risk.
You can also enjoy lower monthly outgoing by leasing. It gives you greater flexibility over your finances as you have a clear picture of your finances each month. You can lease an electric vehicle thanks to organisations like LV. Not only do they educate drivers about electric car leasing through the platform LvElectriX, but they also help you find the right vehicle for you.
Maintenance Costs
An electric car might sound a lot more complex than a diesel or petrol vehicle, but this is because they are relatively new to us. You may be surprised to know that an electric car has fewer moving parts, meaning they require less maintenance. You also don’t need to change the oil, which leads to fewer expensive repairs. Although – there are lower maintenance costs, there are still some that you need to consider.
Tyres, coolant, brake and battery maintenance are all factors you need to consider. As previously discussed, a battery replacement can cost you thousands of pounds. The charging cable will also need to be replaced if it falls victim to some wear and tear, which can end up costing you a few hundred pounds. You can learn more about charging cables and the different types by conducting some online research.
Insurance
You may be surprised to know that electric vehicles cost a lot more to insure than your regular petrol/diesel car. This is all down to the battery. The large batteries that these vehicles have cost a lot to repair and replace, increasing insurance premiums to an all-time high. These prices could be subject to change in the future once insurance companies can adjust to this new technology.
If you want to find the best electric car insurance deals, it is advised that you use price comparison websites. These sites allow you to compare insurance policies between a large number of providers to help you find a price that is suitable for your budget. Some electric car models will also be cheaper to insure than others. Therefore, you must do your research if you want an electric car that is relatively cheap to run.
Safety Measures
Will your electric car have enough suitable safety features such as cruise control or lane-centring assist? Depending on your requirements, you will notice that some models of electric vehicles offer more safety features than others. If you are investing a lot of money into a car, you want to know that it is equipped with enough safety features to keep you and your passengers safe.
Electric cars are crafted with outstanding technology. Some vehicles are equipped with an autopilot that slams on your breaks for you in the event of an accident. To find out what safety features you require, it is advised that you conduct some research to see what is on offer. You will need to take your budget into consideration. The more safety features you require, the higher price you can expect to pay.
Electric Bill
If you plan on installing a charging point at home, you will need to understand the influence this will have on your overall energy bill. Energy prices are soaring across the country. The price cap on energy bills has increased by 54% in the UK alone. Adding a charging point into the mix will dramatically affect your monthly energy usage. Add this on top of maintenance costs and insurance costs, and the price of your electric vehicle will soon soar.
This is why electric car leasing is also favourable, as it will help you save money. You can also try and reduce your energy usage while at home. Make an effort to switch off any unused appliances and refrain from bad habits like leaving the tap running when brushing your teeth. Although these sound like small changes, they can positively influence your energy usage, which will help you lower those monthly bill costs.
