The Government has announced a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, with hybrids – part-electric and part petrol or diesel vehicles – following suit five years later. So, is now the right time to consider going all-electric?
WEEE Technology are a leading computer disposal company based in central London. Here we look at some of the key factors to consider if you are thinking of making the switch.
The Mileage
If you have a short commute then an electric vehicle (EV) may be ideal; but if it’s longer, or you need to make business trips to another part of the UK, then it’s less clear-cut. The average range of all electric cars is around 190 miles; more expensive models such as Teslas, Porsches, Audis, Mercedes and Jaguars will do more miles on the road than the average electric hatchback.
And would-be purchasers should bear in mind – because EVs are around 20% less efficient in colder conditions – that their range decreases in winter or when the temperature is below 4°C. All of this means plenty of trips to the nearest charging point.
The Availability of Charging Points
While increasing numbers of charging points are being made available, it’s still not straightforward. At home, ideally you need to have your own driveway or garage to charge your car.
For maximum flexibility, you may also need access to a charging point at work – so ask what your employer intends to do if there isn’t one. Ideally you also need to live in an area with as many public access points as possible.
And the charging infrastructure in the UK is all privately run and owned, and overall provision can be very hit and miss. So do plenty of research into local charging points before you make the commitment to buy an EV.
The Financial Implications
Car insurance groups are based partly on the cost of the vehicle, so the high purchase price of EVs (compared to some petrol-engined models), and the potentially higher cost of replacement parts, mean premiums are likely to be higher.
However, EV services should be cheaper than a petrol-engined vehicle because it has fewer mechanical parts to replace.
And, of course, there’s the cost of ‘fuel’. At the moment a typical electric car, with a 60kWh battery and a 200 mile-range, costs around £15 to fully charge at home (public points are generally more expensive). Given the price at the pumps at the moment, this represents a big saving.
The Government Incentives
The Government is currently offering EV chargepoint grants; these cover three-quarters of the installation cost at domestic properties in the UK, although this does not include bungalows, detached, semi-detached and terraced housing.
And businesses can claim 100% of the cost of an electric vehicle against the profits of the year of purchase and there are no restrictions on the value of the vehicle. This initiative has been running for just over two years.
In London there is another financial incentive – electric vehicles are exemption from ULEZ and congestion charges. However, it’s difficult to predict whether these incentives will become more or less generous the closer we get to 2030.
Ultimately, They Are Better for the Planet
EVs emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants than petrol or diesel cars. They don’t have a tailpipe, and so don’t produce any carbon dioxide emissions when being driven. EVs are much quieter, too – in fact, for road safety reasons, they are now required by law to have an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System to emit a sound when reversing or travelling below 12mph to warn other road users of their presence.
WEEE Technology – A Computer Disposal Company in Central London
As things stand you will have to buy an EV at some point over the next few years, and they are an essential tool in driving down the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. At WEEE Technology we are also doing our bit to help the Government achieve its net zero target with our ethical and responsible recycling of electronic waste.
We always try to repair and refurbish old products and, if this is not possible, we aim to harvest the raw materials for reuse rather then send them to a landfill site. If you would like to know more about any of our services, then call us on 020 7859 4669, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
