I attended a virtual event this month delivered by car leaser Pike+Bambridge to learn more about the pros and cons of using an electric vehicle (EV). Pike+Bambridge shared some interesting facts including:
- In 2021, EVs made up 11.6% of all new car sales in the UK.
- The best-selling electric car in the UK is the Tesla Model 3, with 34,783 sales in 2021, followed by the Kia E-Niro and Volkswagon iD3.
What are the advantages of Electric Vehicles?
- EVs obviously reduce emissions and lower your carbon footprint.
- EVs may also help you save money through reduced running costs. Given the current high fuel prices, this may be a particularly attractive benefit.
- If you rent your home, funding is currently available for home charger installation.
- The number of EV charging points across the country is also increasing.
What are some of the disadvantages of Electric Vehicles?
- The real mileage range of many EVs may be less than advertised, especially during winter.
- Electric cars can be more expensive as an initial investment, before taking into account the future tax savings and running cost reductions relative to a traditional vehicle.
- Longer journeys can require more considered planning due to the need to find charging stations on route.
Which EVs are most popular?
Pike+Bambridge outlined the top EV bestsellers, which are:
| Model | Battery Capacity | Combined urban and highway drive range |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes Benz EQS | 107 kWh | Summer 435 mile and winter 315 mile |
| VW iD3 | 58 kWh | Summer 225 mile and Winter 180 miles |
| Tesla Model Y | 75 kWh | Summer 310 mile and Winter 225 miles |
| MG ZS EV | 68 kWh | Summer 260 mile and Winter 190 miles |
Plus, there are more EVs being released in 2022 including:
- The Cupra Born (part of the VW family) with a 215 to 335 mile range dependent on battery size.
- The VW Buzz with a range of 300 miles.
- The Nissan Ariya with a range of 300 miles.
A world of electric mobility
When it comes to electric vehicles, there are ever-developing technological advances and government regulations and incentives expected in the years to come, plus loads more car models being developed.
The UK Government have set a deadline to end the sale of diesel and petrol cars by 2030. It has also announced huge infrastructure investments in charging networks with a commitment of to increase local charge point coverage.
Manufacturers that are committed to only develop EVs in the future include Mercedes and Volvo, plus new entrants such as Lucid and Amazon-backed Rivian are entering the market.
As a result of attending a couple of informative webinars and events on EVs, I have decided to make the change to an electric vehicle, but now which one?
If you’d like to find out more about EVs, check out the key takeaways from our session with bpPulse.
*All figures provided by Pike and Bambridge
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