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Even though electric vehicles (EVs) are more popular than ever, there are still several misconceptions that surround them. As the future is firmly electric, it’s about time here at The Co we put some of these concerns to bed once and for all. From range issues to the cost of electric cars, read on as we debunk six of the most common electric car myths out there.
We may as well get this old chestnut out of the way first. Range anxiety is a thing of the past. We repeat, a thing of the past. Around 15 years ago, electric cars were typically only capable of covering less than 50 miles on a single charge. These days, Vauxhall's new releases like the Corsa-e and All-New Mokka-e boast WLTP ranges above 200 miles.
That’s more than enough for most of us. However, if you cover greater distances in a day, you can quickly replenish your battery up to 80% in 30 minutes at one of the many rapid charging points which are now prevalent right across the UK.
Most of us are aware of the environmental benefits of EVs, which have led the UK government to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, and incentivise electric vehicle use through 100% discounts on London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Congestion Charge. This London centric (though understandable) policymaking combined with concerns those new to electric cars have about range might make you wonder: Are electric cars are only suitable for city driving? This couldn’t be further from the truth. EVs are also a great option if you don’t live in London, you will still make savings on fuel, vehicle maintenance (company car tax if you’re a business driver) and reduce the impact your journeys have on your local air quality too.
There is also excellent charge point access outside of London, and more and faster rapid chargers are being added to the UK’s charging networks all the time. Between towns and cities, rapid charging facilities are easily accessible at motorway service stations, which is great for people who cover large daily distances for work. With more and faster rapid chargers being added to the UK’s charging networks all the time. Even if you don’t need to drive hundreds of miles per day, EVs are perfectly suited for all kinds of driving. Their comfort levels and efficiency-minded engineering makes them a pleasure to drive, and amongst other things, perfect for short local jouneys and commuting, as well as longer trips for weekends away or travelling between meetings.
Another ‘becoming more outdated by the minute’ myth which modern EVs are proving to be untrue. Electric cars were pricey in the early days, partly because they were packed with a new technology that was expensive to produce. Since then, prices have come down as this tech has become commonplace and far higher demand has driven down prices. This is to do with both improved and streamlined manufacturing processes, as well as greater competition between carmakers.
Better still, EV running costs are much lower than their traditional counterparts. Electric car cost per mile figures are far cheaper than petrol or diesel vehicles due to EV efficiency and electricity costing much less than fuel. Maintenance costs are also lower, while the rising value of second hand EVs means leasing them is cheaper than ever (this is down to the reduced depreciation). Electric car battery replacement cost can be a worry for some people, but Vauxhall's new EVs come with lengthy 8 year warranty covering their power packs. This means you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries for a long time, if ever, should you decide to lease or buy an electric car from The Co.
There are indeed plenty of options out there if you’re looking for a luxury electric car. However, it’s far from the case that all EVs are premium cars. Perhaps the impact of the pioneering brand Tesla is a little to blame, but nowadays there are all different types of Vauxhall electric cars and vans available to suit all manner of budgets.
From the inexpensive Corsa-e to All-New Mokka-e, you can also choose from a range of fully-electric vans. Of course, if you do want to have a luxury EV or two as part of your fleet, that option is always there too.
This can be true if you charge an EV with an enormous battery (which is not the case when it comes to Vauxhall's electric range) using a regular 3 pin plug charging cable. This cable will charge your EV at speeds of up to 3kW, this is called slow charging for a reason. Most home charge points are 7kW, allowing you to charge a car like the Mokka-e, which has a 50kWh battery, in just 7.5 hours.
This is ideal for most people who leave their cars plugged in overnight, taking advantage of what can be the cheapest off-peak energy costs. Rapid charging is only available at public stations, with 50kW speeds available on networks like Polar and Ecotricity. IONITY chargers, capable of charging a car at 350kW are becoming more common across the UK.
Although we do recommend EVs as being more suitable for people who can park on their drive at night (so you can have a home charge point), there are plenty of instances where this is not necessary. One of these is when businesses have charge points installed on their premises, allowing employees to charge either their personal or fleet vehicles. There’s even a government grant you can take up at present, which contributes up to £350 per charge point installed through the Workplace Charging Scheme for businesses. And if you do have a driveway or your own off street parking, there is a government home charger grant ‘Electric Vehicle Home Charge Scheme’ also offering £350 towards buying and installing a charger.
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