Considering making the switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle but still not sure?
Here at EV leasing company, we’ve put together some of the top reasons for making the switch!
Learn more from the ev leasing experts
Why switch to an Electric Vehicle
Costs explained
Cheaper to run and maintain
Cost to Fuel
Servicing & Maintenance Costs
Road Tax
Congestion Charge (Per Day)
Insurance
Electric Car e.g. Nissan Leaf
6.67p per mile
£123
£0
£0
£433
Petrol Car e.g. VW Golf
16p per mile
£173.98
£165
£15
£574
why choose an electric vehicle
Switch to EV and benefit from a variety of cost savings
Lower emissions
Lower emissions, means less road tax (VED – Vehicle Exercise Duty) you will pay. If you opt for fully electric with zero emissions = zero road tax to pay!
Cheaper to maintain
As electric cars have only 3 main components and significantly fewer moving parts, servicing and maintenance is simpler, therefore cheaper.
Fuel saving
Driving an electric car can cost around one third of that of a petrol or diesel!
Parking
In some areas and boroughs, EV drivers can also benefit from free, or reduced charge parking.
Cheaper tariffs
Many EV drivers will fully charge overnight meaning they may then also benefit from a cheaper energy tariff.
No Congestion Charge
EV drivers can travel within congestion zones, ultra-low emission zones and clean air zones without charge which can lead to a significant saving if you travel within these areas regularly.
Fantastic Driving Experience
Instant Torque from the electric motor means there's no waiting around for the motor to spool, instead you will experience immediate, responsive acceleration enabling you to hit those top speeds quickly.
Electric vehicles are virtually silent, the only noise being the faint whirring of the electric motor, or road noise which results in a much more comfortable driving experience.
Benefit from improved handling, comfort, and greater response when driving an electric vehicle because of their weight, distribution of batteries and low centre of gravity.
As the batteries are usually mounted lower in the car and the electric motor takes up less space than an engine, interior passenger compartments tend to be much more spacious.
Latest safety features
Most new electric vehicles have been awarded a maximum 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash tests.
Majority have latest driver assistance and safety features such as lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), parking assistance, blind spot/overtaking sensors.
Higher Mileage Ranges
Whilst ‘range anxiety’ is still a cause for concern for those considering the switch to EV, the continuous development of battery technology means the range on an electric vehicle is constantly increasing.
In fact, today you can travel quite a distance in an electric vehicle. For example, the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S can travel between 200 – 410 miles on a single charge, depending upon the type of road and weather conditions:
Continuous advancements and improvements in battery technology meaning range is always increasing.
Average UK motorists travel 20 miles per day.
Regenerative breaking also re-charges whilst coasting per day.
If range anxiety is stopping you from switching, think about when the last time you ran out of fuel was, if heading on a long journey would you risk it without fuelling up?
Electric vehicles are no different, you prepare for the journey by ensuring the car has sufficient charge before heading off, as you would ensure there was enough fuel.
Giving you more reasons to go electric
Better for the Environment
With vehicles being the single largest contributor to CO2 emissions, switching to electric is one way you can contribute towards protecting our environment. Electric cars produce zero tailpipe emissions which means less CO2 and harmful greenhouse gases, improving overall air quality which helps eliminate localised pollution.
Increasing choice of Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular and with the government imposing a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, there is now a much wider range of brands that offer fully electric and hybrid cars. Some simply an electric version of a conventional car, like the Vauxhall e-Corsa, Hyundai Kona and Volkswagen e-up! and some all new exciting models, such as the Kia EV6, VW ID.3 or Mercedes EQC! Whether you are looking for familiarity or something new and exciting, there are plenty of options to choose from!
Tax Incentives & Government Grants
Although electric vehicles do currently cost more to buy than a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle, some of this cost is mitigated by government tax incentives and grants that are available to encourage people to switch to electric.
Find out more
Benefit In Kind
Plug-In-Car-Grant
EVHS
Benefit In Kind
Company car tax, Benefit in Kind (BIK) is much lower for electric vehicles. Currently Benefit in Kind (BIK) for a pure electric vehicle is 2% (2022/23) and remains at that rate until April 2025, at which point it will increase to 3% in 2025/26, 4% in 2026/27 and 5% in 2027/28.
Plug-In-Car-Grant
You may receive a discount on the price of a brand new electric vehicle through a grant the government provides called a Plug-In-Car Grant (PICG).
The grant provides a discount on the purchase price of a brand new, eligible, plug-in van or motorcycle – cars are no longer eligible for this scheme.
The amount of the grant varies by vehicle type. Motorcycles and moped can get 35% off, up to a maximum of £500 (or £150 for mopeds). Vans get can up to 35% off, up to a maximum of £5,000 (or £2,500 for small vans)
For further information on eligible vehicles, contact a member of our team today on 01782 450745 or visit https://www.gov.uk/plug-in-vehicle-grants
EVHS
On 1st April 2022, the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) was replaced with the EV Chargepoint Grant.
The EV Chargepoint grant provides funding of up to 75% towards the cost of installing electric vehicle smart chargepoints at domestic properties across the UK.
The scheme is open to:
- homeowners who live in flats
- people in rental accommodation (flats and single-use properties)
Looking to lease an Electric Vehicle?
Contact one of our leasing specialists today or check out our sister company site for the latest online deals.
