We take a look into why now is the time is to go electric with the motor industry’s latest developments.
To date, electric cars have played towards energy efficiency and a unique driving experience for short range driving for our commute, a trip to the supermarket, or picking the kids up from school. In fact, Car Analytics reports 68% of us commute by car, and drive just 20 miles a day on average in the UK, so, making the switch to an electric car with a decent range like the Lexus RZe which has a range of 251 to 271 miles is more than enough to cover those daily miles with just one charge per week.
When driving an electric car for the first time, it’s hard not to notice its smooth handling and peaceful silence. But despite this and knowing it’s a more sustainable alternative, many of us are still scared to make the switch, with concerns about charging, charge points and initial costs.
But the EV scene is closing the gap between petrol and electric cars, getting more popular each year, not least due to battery efficiency.
Firstly, because batteries are being manufactured smaller, they can offer higher range. The first popular cars on the market back in 2012, the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Model S, both had an average range of 150 miles, now in 2023 we’re seeing plenty with double the range and beyond.
Secondly, new advances in EV design have adapted for better battery temperature management, meaning better battery life.
Hotter climates were wearing down battery life faster, but now, with built in cooling mechanisms, the battery’s charge and longevity is improved.
Finally, the industry has acknowledged the materials used to create EV batteries, such as cobalt, had a poor effect on the environment. The latest batteries are being produced with manganese rather than cobalt making them more cost efficient and environmentally friendly than before.
Another success for the electric car industry is its expanding charging infrastructure. Not only are more EV chargers being rapidly installed at service stations across the UK, but endeavours to create electric only service stations are on the up. GridServe plan to open 100 Electric Forecourts by 2025, the first one currently residing in Essex. The all-electric stations allow 36 cars to charge at once.
Electric chargers are also now streamlining to a nationally agreed charging port the CCS (Combined Charging System). This means if you’re buying a new electric car, it will be compatible at all UK charging points, a significant development. Complimenting the advances in charging stations is advancement in route checking programmes. EV charger route calculating app, Zap Map, keeps track of over 35,000 electric chargers across the UK finding you the best route for your range and destination. The app also allows you to check whether chargers are malfunctioning due to comments posted by other drivers. The app also keeps astute monthly statistics tracking chargers and details each new charger installed per month.
So with the ban on selling petrol and diesel cars is set to be enforced in 2030, closely followed by hybrid cars in 2035 and new advancements constantly occurring, it’s time to get ahead of the curve.