So much is talked about on the subject of electric vehicles (EV) that it can get a bit bewildering, what with thinking in terms of kilowatts instead of brake horsepower, looking into different types of public and home charging and the like. Choosing the right vehicle and getting it right first time can be tricky unless the potential buyer is well steeped in EV lore. Is the car the right size for my family? Will it cover my regular daily route of over 100 miles without topping up? One motor or two?
These days, many more clients are expressing an interest in EV technology as they consider the switch to driving an electric car. To aid the search for the right electric car we’ve provided our ten top tips to help the decision-making. Then it’s just a question of getting in touch.
What’s Available?
On offer these days there are pure electric cars that require
charging when depleted. Then there are hybrid cars (These combine a plug-in electric drive combined with a fossil-fuel engine. Then there are self-charging hybrids which do as the name suggests.) which help reduce emissions and are ideal for folk who are not yet ready to leap fully into electric technology.
Hybrids come in varieties: There are plug-in hybrids. The supplementary drive battery pack can be charged routinely. There are also mild hybrids (with less battery assisted drive) and range-extender hybrids to go further. Here though we will concentrate on the full electric versions.
There’s a wide range of prestige cars, many in an SUV style to select from premium manufacturers like Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz. Even supercar brands are getting in on the act. Also there are now some new kids on the block, names that may not be familiar, like Lucid or Polestar.
Are EV’s Expensive?
Premium cars cost more; that’s a given. This new technology means nothing changes but the good news is that buying your electric vehicle through MHH International means no Value Added Tax is paid, saving money on the purchase. EV’s should be less costly to service and there is less to go wrong. Electric motors are sealed and most car makers offer a long warranty on battery packs.
Increasingly, electric cars are appearing on the used car listings.
Are They Cheaper To Run?
Globally, electricity costs less than fossil fuels like diesel and petrol. Commodity prices can also be affected by regional problems as the world has witnessed of late. There are too many variables to give a precise figure but basically the bigger the battery pack the more it costs to charge, although more charge means more miles. We have a listing of the ten best long-range electric cars that can be found here.
Think About Where You Live
Consider which car will deliver value for money. World prices of petrol vary widely. However most owners know the sort of mileage they get for a gallon of petrol. Then look at the capacity options of suitable electric cars and check the price of and work out the unit price in your area. This should give options as to which car to buy within any given budget.
Ask Questions
Are you looking for a business car or a family runaround? The passenger space and luggage capacity may be a crucial point. In terms of physical size, which car looks the best. Study reviews. Check out our blog where all the latest EV’s are looked at in depth.
Try A Test Drive
Whatever is on the shortlist, try and arrange a test drive locally. There is no commitment to buy. It’s worth noting that electric vehicles require a slight modification in driving style to get the best from them. They are smoother and quieter. Certainly they are easier to drive, not having gearboxes; you just push the pedal and go. Most drivers find it refreshingly simple.
About Charging
Every EV has a maximum rapid DC charging rate. It varies depending upon the vehicle; it might be 80 kW, 100 kW, 150 kW, 240 kW and so on. DC charging allows the driver to get extra range into the car quickly. For example, twenty minutes plugged into a rapid charger at a service station at 50kW will give you about 60 miles more range.
Lately, the newer rapid chargers are rated at 150 to 350kW. But if the car has an internal maximum DC charge rate of say 100 kW, then it can only charge at 100 kW, even on a 350 kW charger.
Ideally then, especially for high mileage drivers, or for regular long journeys, it’s worth buying an EV with a high DC charging rate to be able to charge quickly.
Public Charging
In many parts of the world publicly available charging points are becoming increasingly available. This is good news but it does mean taking into consideration range. Will the car take you where you want to go on one charge? On a long trip it maybe necessary to stop for a top-up, so forward planning is needed. In western Europe public charging is growing quickly but elsewhere things may be different, in which case it may be worth considering one of the long range cars available, like the Audi e-tron, which will travel almost 400 miles (depending on weather and road conditions) on a single charge.
Home Charging
Getting a qualified electrician to fit a home charging point at your home will mean that overnight charging will fill up the battery pack while you sleep. It’s worth noting that home charging is invariably cheaper than public charging which is why journey planning is important as is a new mindset to motoring.
Should I keep My ICE Car?
That the internal combustion engine (ICE) is on the way out remains to be seen. This is entirely a personal choice. For urban dwellers it’s a no-brainer. With increasingly strict emission regulations in cities, there is not really any point in sticking with the old car, especially if most journeys are short. Selling the old car will also help the new car budget. If a very long trip is planned then why not hire a car? It’s a cost effective solution.
Along The Green Avenue
Globally we are being encouraged to go green to help protect our environment. Once an EV is on the road it does not have any tailpipe emissions. There are far less lubricants like oil to dispose of. The electric car has evolved to become a very feasible option. Many countries are offering duty free imports for EVs making the switch very cost effective. So over to you: Think about the right car for you and get in touch and we’ll be delighted to help.
