Electric Cars

Alternatively fuelled cars have risen to prominence over the past few years as a result of the rapid increase in sales of electric and hybrid cars. New registrations of plug-in cars increased from 3,500 in 2013 to more than 75,000 at the beginning of August 2016. This upturn in registrations has coincided with the increase in the number of electric and hybrid models available in the UK.

During the first half of 2014 only around 500 electric cars were registered per month which rose to an average of around 2,400 per month during 2015. 2016 has seen electric car registrations go from strength to strength by outselling the same period in 2015 by more than 30% with more than 23,000 Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) eligible vehicles already registered. Electric cars now represent around 1.3% of the total new car market in the UK with figures predicted by Go Ultra Low that electric power could become the most popular fuel method for all new cars sold in the UK as early as 2027.

What is an Electric Car?

​There are a number of features that separate electric cars from traditional cars:

  • ​Electric cars have an electric motor and batteries. The batteries store the power to drive the motor and turn the wheels
  • Electric cars need to be recharged using grid electricity from a wall socket or a dedicated charging unit as opposed to filling a tank with petrol or diesel
  • Electric cars have zero tailpipe emissions of CO2 
  • Electric cars produce very little noise and are significantly quieter than conventional internal combustion engine cars
  • Electric cars cannot travel as far on a single charge compared to a single fill-up. Typically, electric cars can travel a range of around 100 miles on a full charge depending on how the car is driven

Why Should You Buy an Electric Car?

There are a number of positives for buying an electric car, especially at the moment because of the huge Plug-in Car Grant you would receive from the government of up to £4,500. If forecasts are to be believed, all new cars and vans are expected to be electrically powered by 2040. It seems as though traditional combustion engine vehicles will be phased out and it could be an advantage to already be familiar with how electric vehicles work, among other fantastic advantages:

  • Cleaner Driving
    • With zero tailpipe emissions electric cars do not release harmful gases into the environment when you drive them
  • Cheaper Driving 
    • Electric car owners pay £0 in road tax
    • Electricity is cheaper than petrol and diesel.
    • You can charge your car at work further reducing your fuel costs
  • Incentivised Driving
    • Buying a brand new pure electric car will mean that you receive £4,500 off of the car's list price
    • Electric cars receive a 100% discount on London's Congestion Charge

  • Advanced Driving
    • Electric cars typically come with advanced technology that are not normally found on conventionally-powered rivals
  • Quicker Driving
    • As a result of instant pick-up from the electric motor's torque, electric cars are capable of short bursts of acceleration because they are faster and more efficient than building revs
  • Quieter Driving
    • Electric motors produce very little noise making for a very calm and quiet drive around town or commute to work
  • Sustainable Driving
    • Oil, coal and gas are finite resources and one day they will run out. Electricity is an infinite resource that is far more environmentally friendly

What Electric Cars Can You Buy Right Now?