Choosing a new car can be a complicated decision, especially when you factor in the quality and reliability of the car, how suitable it is to meet your driving needs, and whether it befits your usual style. Nowadays, there is the tough decision of whether you should purchase an electric car or continue using petrol or hybrid models?
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What are the Benefits of Electric Cars
Many benefits come with these new electric-powered cars, but you should still assess whether these vehicles are the right choice for you.
Environmental Impact
Arguably, the main benefit of electric cars is that they heavily reduce the environmental impact that most vehicles have on the world. They are not entirely free of CO2 however, as some electricity used comes from non-renewable sources and electric cars must be built first. Nonetheless, energy from power stations does not produce near as much CO2 as petrol engines and electric engines can be up to three times more efficient.
Technology
Battery technology has significantly advanced within the last decade, meaning electric cars can now travel for longer periods between each charge. Cars like the Vauxhall Corsa-e can rapidly charge to 80% of the full battery within 30 minutes, ensuring that you can get back on the road as soon as possible.
Most electric cars also have a regenerative braking feature, which converts the kinetic energy from braking to electrical power that consequently charges the battery of the car. This also helps to assist the traditional brakes in helping slow the vehicle down. This modern braking system helps to save up to 70% of the energy that would usually be lost from heat caused by the friction of the brakes.
More affordable
Although the initial cost of buying an electric vehicle may seem higher than that of petrol or diesel cars, the costs over the lifespan of an electric vehicle can be considerably lower. Considering the ever-increasing cost of fuel, recharging an EV costs less than filling a tank with fuel, meaning they are a lot cheaper to run.
There are fewer mechanical elements used to make up electric cars than standard petrol vehicles. Even though these parts can be more expensive, it means that there are generally lower servicing and maintenance fees.
If you manage to get a company car, these prices can be even lower, with some electric cars having a tax rate as low as 1% for the year. Further benefits include the waiver of clean air zone fees, due to the fact that they have ultra-low emissions.
Pleasure to drive
What most individuals tend to overlook about electric cars is that they have incredibly quiet engines and so produce very little noise when driving. Removing this background noise when driving can make for a more relaxed driving experience and can have a positive effect on your stress levels and overall well-being when enduring longer journeys.
Electric vehicles are also highly responsive and can accelerate and decelerate quickly due to their powerful motors and single-gear gearbox. This instant acceleration is great when climbing steep hills and makes driving much easier in traffic.
