Top five benefits of switching to an electric vehicle

We recently asked our followers on social media what they believe to be the top benefits of having an Electric Vehicle (EV). We have collated all of the responses and have put together our top five benefits of having an EV. We hope this helps if you’re on the fence about making the switch!

1. Lower running costs

This appears to be the most common benefit of having an electric vehicle among our followers and rightly so – the savings can be significant. Whilst EVs are typically more expensive to purchase than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, the cost to charge an EV is typically lower than the cost of petrol or diesel. One of our followers even shared that over the course of a year, they’d managed to save £,1000 on fuel. When you compare these costs over a few years, the savings start to show.

"We’ve saved £1,000 a year on fuel"
— Facebook User

Some EVs are also able to access the London Ultra Low Emission Zone without paying any fees and are exempt from the London Congestion Charges. If this is your typical commuting route, you may make significant cost savings by switching to an EV.

 

"cheap to run"
— Facebook User

2. Lower maintenance costs

With fewer moving parts, EVs can also be cheaper to maintain too. Nissan suggests maintenance cost savings could be as significant as 40% lower for EVs than ICE vehicles. As EVs are powered by a battery, they do not require a conventional clutch, cambelt or oil filter, which can often be the most expensive parts to replace in a petrol or diesel car. EVs can still experience wear and tear so you should service them in line with the vehicle manufacturer recommendations, however, they’re less likely to need significant repair work.

3. Reducing your carbon footprint

One of the significant benefits of switching from a fossil fuel-based vehicle to an EV is the impact on the planet. By nature, EV’s have zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they are much cleaner to run and cause a lot less pollution, particularly in highly congested cities. The UK government have recognised the environmental benefits of EVs and will ban the production of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. This is in a bid to significantly reduce the volume of greenhouse gases created by transport, in order to make the UK a more sustainable, cleaner country.

"The lack of fumes"
— Twitter User

What’s more, you can also charge your electric vehicle with 100% renewable energy – further reducing your carbon impact. The GeniePoint network uses 100% renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar to power all of our electric chargepoints. We’re continually investing in the development of sustainable resources to help you power your vehicle and reduce your carbon footprint in simultaneously.

4. A better driving experience

You may hear a lot of EV drivers talking about a better experience driving, but why? It’s likely down to the fact that EVs are much quieter to drive and a lot cleaner. In a petrol or diesel car, the noise often comes from the engine, whereas a battery makes little to no noise. What’s more, with zero tailpipe emissions, you can benefit from having your windows down with zero fumes! Not only are they much quieter and cleaner, EV’s can also feel smoother to drive, with more responsive acceleration - an all-around pleasant driving experience.

"Clean, comfortable and quiet"
— Facebook User

5. Government support

The government has introduced several schemes over the past few years to encourage drivers to make the switch to an EV. The Plug-in Car Grant is available through car manufactures and dealerships who pass on the discount to customers for specific EV models. 

There are also several grants available to businesses to help them to invest in EV charging for their employees. If your company / offices don't have EV charging yet and are looking for a partner, get in touch with us!

We may be a little biased, but we genuinely believe EV’s are the future and there are benefits to not only the driver but the entire planet. If you have any questions about running an EV and using our public network, our customer service team is always on hand to provide support and guidance whenever you need it. Already made the switch? Join the GeniePoint network for reliable rapid charging whenever and wherever you need it: Sign me up!