Your questions answered...
There's no escaping the fact that electric vehicles are the future of driving. With rising fuel costs, increased awareness of environmental issues and the government's pledge to cease production of all ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles by 2030, the automotive industry has seen a surge in interest in EVs.
Despite the fact that the market was 28.7% below pre-Covid 19 levels, 2021 was a record year in terms of the electric vehicle. In fact, of the 1.65 million new cars registered; 190,727 were battery powered electric vehicles (BEV) and 114,554 were plug-in hybrids (PHEV). That accounts for a staggering 11.6% and 7% market share respectively.
2022 looks set to continue in the same vein with BEVs making up 17.7% of the market share by the end of February alone. This sets a new precedent in a month that is traditionally quiet ahead of the 1st March plate change. By the end of this year, it is estimated that electric vehicles will outsell diesel and mild diesel hybrids.
Which is a pretty compelling case to consider opting for an EV if you're in the market for a new car, we think. But if that's not enough to convince you, then there are plenty more tricks up the proverbial sleeve of the EV phenomenon to pique your interest...
Driving, as we all know, is an expensive necessity. From maintenance and fuel costs to road charges and VED (otherwise known as Vehicle Excise Duty or Road Tax) motorists commit to more than just the cost of a car when they buy.
Granted, the initial outlay on a brand new electric vehicle is somewhat higher than its ICE counterpart - in some cases up to £5,000 more. However, a new EV is nothing if not an investment and the moment you drive away from the forecourt, you'll start to reap the rewards, financially speaking.
On account of their zero emissions, electric vehicles are exempt from VED; which is an automatic saving of anything up to £2,365 per year depending on the emissions level of your chosen car. In addition to that, anyone who regularly drives within London will be exempt from the Congestion Charge. Similarly, those who are looking to purchase a vehicle for business purposes will benefit from lower Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax rates. For 2022, this stands at just 2% - a figure that will remain fixed until at least 2025.
Electric cars are also significantly cheaper to run on a daily basis, coming in at around 21% cheaper than their ICE counterparts, according to a study by Direct Line . In monetary terms that's around £33.50 per week for an EV versus £42.40 per week - a saving of £8.90 per week or a whopping £462.80 per year.
Servicing and repair costs too, are considerably lower in an electric vehicle, simply because they have fewer working parts to consider.
In recent years, range and availability of charging points have been a concern to those who are unsure about entering into EV ownership. However, as demand increases, the world is adapting to accommodate. To date, there are 18,873 public charging stations across the UK and with the Tesla Super-Charger network set to open up to all electric vehicles in the near future, long journeys will become much easier.
Likewise, limited range is slowly becoming a thing of the past. With models such as the KIA EV6 blazing the way onto the market with an impressive 328 mile claimed range and rapid charging speeds that outperform entry level Tesla Model 3 units, it's easy to see why it was recently crowned European Car of the Year 2022.
Last but not least, in this very real age of Climate Crisis, switching to an electric vehicle is an excellent way to 'do your bit' for the environment and help to reduce emissions.
Murray Group encompasses a variety of popular brands who are at the forefront of the electric revolution. So, from the much loved Volkswagen ID-4 and the innovative Skoda Enyaq iV to the all new MG ZS EV and the Hyundai Ioniq, you'll be sure to find your perfect match.