Over the last 10 years, the roads of the UK have seen a surge in electric vehicles. Sales of EVs now account for 14% of new registrations every year – and this is set to continue to rise in the coming years. This is because of the many benefits that electric cars have to offer compared to their petrol or diesel-powered counterparts including:
- There are no emissions when driving (0g C02 per km)
- Cheaper to maintain over the lifetime of the vehicle
- Extremely quiet
- Outperform petrol-powered cars
- Charge up at home
- Free parking in some places
- Electric cars are futureproof
Continue reading to learn more about the benefits that electric cars have to offer.
Electric Cars Are Better For The Environment
Electric cars are better, cleaner and kinder to the environment than their petrol or diesel-powered counterparts. This is because they are typically powered with a lithium-ion battery charged by electricity, rather than a combustion engine that runs on fossil fuels. No exhaust fumes are produced meaning there are less dangerous greenhouses gases such as carbon dioxide being expelled from the vehicle into the atmosphere.
Another benefit of electric cars is that they are more efficient in using their power when compared to cars with a combustion engine. Around 70% of the power produced by the battery makes it to the wheels of an electric car, compared to only 20% of power produced by a combustion engine.
Electric Cars Cost Less Money To Maintain
Electric cars are a lot more cost efficient to maintain than petrol-powered cars. A lithium-ion battery motor requires no oil changes, no engine component replacements and won’t have the general wear and tear that a combustion engine might over its lifetime. Instead, the battery of the electric car does all the work and because of this the car is cheaper to maintain. Find out about electric car maintenance.
The cost per mile to power an electric car is also generally cheaper than a similar petrol-powered equivalent – meaning you can travel further for less money.
Electric Cars Are Extremely Quiet
Combustion engines make petrol and diesel-powered cars much noisier than their electric alternatives. This is due to the process of combustion occurring in each of the engine’s cylinders, along with the vibrations of the air intakes and exhaust system. However, due to EVs being entirely powered by electricity, they don’t have any need for a combustion process, which greatly reduces the sound produced by the car.
Generally, the only sounds that an electric car makes happen when the wheels make noises if you’re going around a tight corner, or you encounter some wind resistance on the motorway. Although when travelling at slow speeds most electric cars will emit a noise to warn pedestrians of their presence to help increase safety for drivers and pedestrians alike. Other than that, electric cars are silent enabling you to enjoy the driving experience and your surroundings.
Electric Cars Now Outperform Petrol-Powered Cars
Around 5 to 10 years ago, there was a stereotype that electric cars were slower and less powerful than their petrol or diesel-powered counterparts – but a lot has changed. Most electric cars now outperform comparable petrol or diesel-powered cars in terms of the acceleration and torque.
One of the main reasons for this is because electric cars don’t require the need for a manual transmission, meaning that the power is transferred straight to the wheels. Electric cars also have fewer moving parts, meaning that power is transferred more efficiently within the car. The Peugeot e-208 for example boasts a 0-60mph time of 7.8 seconds.
You Can Charge Up Your Electric Car At Home
Owners of electric cars are able to conveniently charge their cars at their own home, saving them time and energy. This means that you can get on with the rest of your day without thinking about that last minute trip to the petrol station to top up, so your car is ready for the next day.
Also, the range of electric cars has improved considerably over the past 5 years, with the likes of the new Peugeot e-2008 now having a range of 206 miles (WLTP). This means that you can travel further than ever without having to recharge.
You’ll Be Able To Enjoy Free Parking In Some Places
Another advantage of owning an electric car is that you’ll be able to benefit from free parking in some places. All over the UK, there are free, prioritised parking bays for electric vehicles conveniently with charging points, so you’re able to top up while you’re on the move.
In London, each borough has its own rules when it comes to parking, which range from being completely free to heavily subsidised – so it pays to look around if you’re planning a trip which might require a long stay. Either way, in most places you’re likely to pay less for parking than you would in a petrol or diesel-powered car.
Electric Cars Are Futureproof
As electric cars become more widely adopted, so will the surrounding infrastructure around them. The UK now has more electric vehicle charging stations than petrol stations, a sign of the increasing popularity of EVs. This looks set to continue in the coming years, with more and more public electric vehicle charging stations being installed every week around the country.
Also, because of the investment in electric car technology by companies like Peugeot, electric cars have the capability to receive regular software updates and many are available remotely to complete from home. This means that your electric car will able to receive the latest technology long after you bought it.
Explore the range of electric cars that Peugeot has to offer and the many benefits that they have.
