Should I buy an electric car?
Would an electric car suit your lifestyle?
Thinking of going electric? You’re not alone. Now more than ever, drivers are considering switching to electric vehicles. Interest picked up when the government announced a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars that comes into force in 2030. Recent statistics show the popularity of electric cars has increased, while demand for diesel vehicles has dropped by 22 per cent. The figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers show demand for electric and hybrid vehicles was up 20.6 per cent. This includes around 38,000 pure electric cars, which overtook plug-in hybrids for the first time.
After the government announced in 2019 that £1 billion of additional funding would be made available to develop automotive tech, £10 million of funding is available immediately for the first wave of research and development projects to scale up the manufacturing of the latest technology in batteries, motors, electronics and fuel.
Tom Clarke, LV= General Insurance Head of Electric Vehicle Strategy, said “This announcement shows that Boris was serious when he pledged to make the UK the Home of the Electric Vehicle. With EVs bucking the trend in a declining market for car sales, canvassing for proposals to build the UK’s first gigafactory could be a watershed moment in the green revolution of our country. Whilst this £10m investment will undoubtedly provide a shot in the arm for our EV infrastructure, it’s also important to make sure that drivers aren’t hit in the pocket for making the right decision by ensuring incentives are available.”
That's not all though, our cities are changing, too, with York making a bid to become the UK’s first zero-emission city when lockdown lifts, meaning only cyclists, pedestrians and drivers in electric vehicles would be allowed to enter the city.
Whether or not you should buy an electric car will depend on your lifestyle and a number of other factors. Any purchase should fit in with all your commuting and leisure pursuits, whether you’re looking to buy new, used or on finance. Here's a few questions to ask yourself before you commit.
