Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Which Electric Car Should I Buy

Don't Miss

Electric Cars Just Keep Improving With Longer Ranges And Shorter Charging Times Here Are The Best Electric Cars On Sale Now

Electric Cars: Why Should I Buy an Electric Car?

Electric cars are still considered as a relatively new concept, but theyve actually been around since the 19th century. Buyers fell out of love with them in favour of petrol and diesel cars, though, and the term electric vehicle brought only images of golf buggies and milk floats to mind.

There is an increasing number of electric cars entering the market every year, leading to more and more new car buyers swapping petrol and diesel pumps for a plug. They range in size, too, with electric power now available in mainstream superminis to family-sized SUVs and performance saloons. You can buy popular models like the Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208 in electric form, as well as luxury and performance models like the Jaguar I-Pace and Porsche Taycan which would’ve been unthinkable only a few years ago. In this list, weve ranked the best electric cars you can buy today.

Top 10 best small electric cars 2021

These days, most electric cars are capable of travelling more than 100 miles on a single charge more than 300 miles in some cases and their recharging time has tumbled. Batteries have also become smaller and lighter, benefitting the packaging, efficiency and handling of these vehicles. The Government expects half of all new cars sold in 2027 to be battery-powered, and the number of charging points is increasing. From 2030 onwards, new car buyers will only be able to choose between an electric, hydrogen or plug-in hybrid car.

Top 10 cheapest electric cars 2021

A Home Charger Won’t Suit Everyone

Charging an electric car is easiest at home, but that can be difficult if you don’t have a driveway. If you park on the street or in a housing development car park with no chargers, keeping an electric cars batteries topped up can be a challenge.

Solutions to the problem are being rolled out across the country, however, including building chargers into lamp posts. But these are still relatively rare and there’s no guarantee one would be free when you need it.

There are lots of high-quality electric cars for sale at Cazoo. Use our search function to find one you love, buy it online and then have it delivered to your door or choose to collect it from your nearestCazoo Customer Centre.

We’re constantly updating and adding to our stock. If you can’t find the right car today, check back soon to see what’s available or set up a stock alertto be the first to know when we have cars that match your needs.

Should I Buy An Electric Car

There’s an ever growing choice of models available from a variety of brands. Whether or not there’s one that will suit your needs is another question altogether though.

Electric cars remain much more expensive than comparable petrol or diesel alternatives. The new Peugeot 208, for example, comes in at £18,850 in entry-level Active trim with a 1.5-litre diesel engine, the same spec e-208 version with electric power is an extra £6,200, which, incidentally, is the same price as you can get a used diesel-powered 2019 BMW 5 Series Touring on BuyaCar.

So they are expensive, but you will of course be saving money on fuel costs and road tax – electric cars run tax free thanks to their zero-emission status. But, the extra money you’re spending on the car itself will cancel out those savings for the first few years at least.

Youll need to make special arrangements at home if you want hassle-free charging – we suspect you would, as finding fully-functional and readily available public chargers can be a problem if you’re looking to make longer journeys.

This all sounds very negative, but we can also think of plenty of reasons why choosing an electric car would be a good idea. For a start they’re actually rather fun to drive. The instant power you get from an electric motor makes virtually every electric car the fasting thing away from a set of traffic lights.

Consider an electric car if…

Electric cars aren’t so good for…

Also Check: Car Salesman Earnings

The Electric Car Battery In Second

The battery is an electric cars most valuable component. So it makes sense to ensure its in decent shape when looking for a used electric car. Ask to see the car when its fully charged and check what the information screen says about battery health. At the very least, count how many of the bars are full and check this against the warranty conditions. If youre unsure, get a franchised dealer to check it for you.

Batteries are often guaranteed to have around 70% of their original capacity after seven years. And this guarantee is usually transferable . If youre buying second-hand from a garage, get crystal clear reassurance on whether the battery is covered by any warranty. Ask to have the details in writing and scrutinise them closely. If youre buying privately, check the cars ownership history carefully and, if necessary, call the manufacturer for advice.

If the battery needs replacing, the good news is that it might not cost as much as you fear. A replacement new battery for a first-generation Leaf, for example, cost just £4,920 in 2014. More recently, re-fabricated packs have dropped the price to around half that.

Even if the batterys still got life in it, you can restore or even upgrade the battery pack. And the cost of doing this is only likely to come down, with more, older electric cars on the road.

How Will I Charge The Car

Electric cars in 2014: Should I wait or should I buy ...

For most electric car drivers, the cheapest way to charge is overnight at home. Youll need a home parking space and a charge point for the fastest and safest home charging.

Getting the right electricity tariff is essential and it could save you money on your home electricity use too. Read more about choosing a tariff in our Ultimate guide to electric car tariffs.

Recommended Reading: How To Repair Clear Coat On Car

Are There Any Desirable Electric Cars On Sale

Some of the first battery-powered cars might not have made the neighbours turn green with envy. But the choice has grown dramatically, and will continue to do so, as car makers such as the Volkswagen Group which includes the brands of VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat and Porsche – gradually turn their back on diesel and divert their engineering resources into creating better electric cars.

Those after a compact electric car can choose from the Renault Zoe, Smart ForTwo EQ and Volkswagen e-Up. These range from around £16,400 to more than £21,000.

For something larger, you could go for something like the Volkswagen e-Golf which places an electric powertrain inside a very recognisable shell. Alternatively, test drive something like the BMW i3 or Nissan Leaf for the full electric car experience.

At the top of the car market, the latest models blend luxurious interiors with impressive performance. But prices reflect as much, climbing from around £59,000 to more than £120,000.

The latest is the Audi e-tron, an SUV thats about the size of a Range Rover Evoque and a rival to the acclaimed Jaguar I-Pace. Tesla is perhaps the best-known name at this end of the market, and its Model S continues to sell well in the UK.

How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Car

As a rule of thumb, 100 miles in an electric car will cost about £4, depending on energy prices. The same distance in a petrol car will cost about £15 in fuel.

But it really depends on where and when you charge the battery.

Petrol prices fluctuate, too, of course, but you have a simple choice when you fill up your tank: either you pull into the next petrol station or you take a gamble and drive a few more miles in the hope of saving a few pence per litre there.

When it comes to charging your electric car, there are more factors to consider.

Do you do it at home, at a public charging station or at the motorway services?

If youre charging it at home, what electricity tariff are you on? Is it cheaper leaving it plugged in overnight?

If youre out and about, it depends on whether you opt for a quick charge or not, which provider you use, and whether you have an account with that provider or youre just making a one-off visit.

As a general guide, though, if you were charging a Nissan Leaf at home, it would cost between £5 and £6 during the day, and perhaps £4 if you did it overnight.

At a motorway charging point, a full charge would cost nearer £12, although it would be completed in less than an hour.

Don’t Miss: Car Salesman Pay

What About Fuel Cell Vehicles

A fuel cell vehicleor FCVis an EV that uses a hydrogen fuel cell to power the electric motor and battery, resulting in similar range to a gas-only vehicle. The main advantage of fuel cell electric cars is how quickly they chargein five or 10 minutes compared to multiple hours. Aside from not having as many charging stations, fuel cell electrics’ key disadvantage is costboth of the fuel itself after the automaker’s free fuel is gone, but also the more than $50,000 it costs to own one.

Unlike a standard battery electric vehicle, FCVs usually have larger openings in the front fascia to allow air to reach the fuel cell stack where it reacts with the hydrogen. The result of the chemical reaction is water and electricity that powers the car. In the U.S., three FCVs are available the Hyundai Nexo, Honda Clarity, and Toyota Mirai. All three are mainly sold in California and have a range of over 300 miles on a tank of hydrogen.

How Environmentally Friendly Are Electric Vehicles

Should I buy an electric car?

A lot of people choose electric vehicles to help protect the environment. Fully-electric cars have zero tailpipe emissions, but theyre not 100% emissions-free. Most electric vehicle batteries are lithium-based and take more energy to manufacture than gas-powered cars. However, studies show that electric cars and plug-in hybrids produce fewer polluting emissions over their lifetimes than gas-powered cars.

Don’t Miss: Are Car Lease Payments Tax Deductible

Is An Electric Car Economical To Own

Electric cars cost more to buy, but theyre more affordable to run than gas-powered cars. For one thing, fuel costs are lower. On average, it costs $300 to $400 per year to charge an electric vehicle, depending on when and where you charge it. A typical plug-in hybrid costs about $700 per year. By comparison, a gasoline car can cost you $1,000 to $2,500 a year to fill up. Electric cars are also a lot cheaper to maintain and service because they have fewer moving parts and dont need oil changes. You can even save money on your car insurance.

There Are More Electric Cars Than Ever To Choose From So We’ve Picked Some Of The Best You Can Buy In The Uk Now

Pressure is growing on UK motorists to ditch their petrol and diesel-powered vehicles and switch to pure-electric cars, but which are the best electric cars available to buy now on the UK car market?

The number of electric car sales in the UK remains relatively small compared to the fossil-fueled alternatives, but things are changing. The selection of new electric cars facing consumers is growing fast and will continue to do so as more and more manufacturers get on board with the technology – delivering models with longer ranges, faster charging times and lower prices.

At the same time, the electric car-charging infrastructure in the UK is improving, making electric cars more viable for more people. The wider availability of fast and rapid chargers at homes and workplaces, as well as in public spaces, means it’s easier than ever to make the swap into a BEV and enjoy its lower running costs with relatively little inconvenience. Even if you cant manage with a pure EV, todays plug-in hybrids offer a good halfway house.

Here we reveal our pick of the current EV options, and give you some top tips that will help you decide whether an electric car is right for you.

Read Also: How To Burn Mp3 Cd For Car

Electric Vehicles Are Convenient

Instead of searching for a gasoline station with the cheapest prices, you can charge at home at a cheaper and much more predictable cost. And plugging in at home takes only a few seconds and lets you wake up with a full tank every morning. EVs also have other convenient advantages. Battery electric vehicles are mechanically much simpler than a conventional gasoline car, so the maintenance requirements are often much simpler and, for this reason, cheaper to maintain. Drivers of electric cars a do not have to change their cars motor oil every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, and they never have to schedule spark plug changes, timing belt replacements, or other engine tune up items. Depending on your location, EVs have additional benefits, like access to restricted express lanes on highways and bridges, special parking spots, and reduced or free tolls.

Electric Motoring Also Brings Other Cost Savings:

Should I Buy an Electric Car?
  • No congestion charge
  • only pay road tax if your electric car was new after April 2017 and cost £40,000
  • reduced maintenance costs

Electric motoring also brings other cost savings. Youll pay no Congestion Charge in London, and youll only pay road tax if your electric car was new after April 2017 and cost £40,000 or more. Youre also likely to save on servicing and repairs, since electric cars have fewer moving parts to inspect or replace.

You May Like: How To Make Car Freshies Step By Step

Electric Car Stocks: Final Thoughts

EV stocks are very exciting right now.

Electric vehicles are hitting the mainstream, with much of the development happening in China and in the US.

Sustainable transportation has become a must have to combat our global climate crisis.

Electric car stocks have been very successful in the last year, and its likely just the beginning.

As governments around the world continue to encourage low-emissions technology, we can expect to see EV stocks increase in value.

When Does An Ev Make Sense

Currently, EVs only make sense in certain situations, theyre by no means a straight swap alternative for your current fossil-fuelled machine unless you have incredibly deep pockets.

An electric car makes for a great commuter vehicle. If you only travel a few miles to and from work an EV will suit you down to the ground. Youll save a fortune on fuel, and the lower range wont even matter.

In fact, if you commute a total of 30-40 miles a day, youll probably only have to charge up once a week.

If you travel into central London regularly for business, an EV will save you a small fortune when it comes to the congestion and ULEZ charges.

All-electric cars are exempt from the fee, as are all the current PHEVs on the market as they emit less than 75g/km of CO2.

But the rules surround the congestion charge will change come 2025, with hybrids being phased out in the next few years.

With other larger cities looking to introduce congestion charging over the next few years, electric cars make for a strong commuter argument.

It also helps if you have somewhere to charge up at home. On-street parking is a big no-no, you cant trail a lead from your house, across the pavement to your car.

Ideally, you need a driveway or a garage, that way you can have a home charger installed allowing you to plug in whenever youre at home.

Youll also benefit from free parking at a majority of placeswhile youre plugged in and charging.

Read Also: How To Protect Car From Hail

Things To Consider When Buying An Electric Car In India

However, to protect your EV from damages from accidents, car insurance is crucial. Along with the car insurance rates, here are some factors you should consider before you opt for an EV.

1. Driving Range- If you are seeking a vehicle that you can drive across cities, then an EV is not the ideal choice. An EV can run as far as its battery life allows it. And while you can easily refill the fuel tank of a conventional vehicle, you may face difficulty in locating a charging station for your EV.

2. Price- The purchase price of an EV is high, as are car insurance rates. This is mainly due to the vehicle’s battery. And while manufacturers are trying to replace cobalt with nickel to reduce the final cost of an EV, it will take some years before any prominent improvement comes into effect.

3. Variants- You have several options for the type of EV you want to purchase. If you wish to go completely eco-friendly, you can select a fully electric car. But if you want to maintain some conventionality with less harm to the environment, then you can go for a hybrid vehicle. Hybrid electric/gas automobiles run on both electricity and fuel.

4. Maintenance- It is a known fact that electrical equipment is hard to maintain. The same goes for an EV. The battery of an EV is the expensive part. Any damage caused to the battery will attract a lot of expenses as repair or replacement costs. Repairing or replacing any other parts of the vehicle is also not a cheap deal.

EV specifications to consider

It’s A Big Question These Days So Here Are Some Things To Consider If You’re Wondering About Purchasing An Electric Car

Should I lease or buy an Electric Car?

If you’re considering your options for your next car, you won’t be able to ignore the growing presence of electric cars. Pretty much every mainstream manufacturer offers at least one electric model now, and the movement towards an electric future is in full swing.

So, you’re asking yourself: “should I buy an electric car?” It’s a very difficult question to answer, but we can certainly help you understand if buying an electric car is the right decision for you.

Considerations including charging, battery range and cost are all vitally important in the electric car buying process, but there are an increasing amount of electric cars on the market which can tick all the boxes you need them to in order to consider them a viable purchase.

Ultimately, the decision is yours to make, but we’re here to help you make an informed decision, and hopefully before too long you’ll be enjoying your first taste of electric motoring. Read on for insight into buying and owning an electric, and whether going electric is the right thing for you.

Recommended Reading: What Stores Accept Carcareone Card

More articles

Popular Articles