Why Go Electric | Chippenham, Wiltshire | Chippenham Motor Company

Owning an electric car offers numerous advantages that go beyond just getting from point A to point B. From significant cost savings to environmental benefits, electric vehicles (EVs) are revolutionizing the automotive industry and reshaping our approach to personal transportation. Here, we will explore the many benefits of owning an electric car, including lower operating costs, reduced carbon footprint, cutting-edge technology, and a smoother, quieter ride. Discover how switching to an EV can enhance your driving experience while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Benefits of owning an electric car:

Lower running costs

While the initial upfront purchase price of an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle can be higher, this is usually offset by lower running costs.

Electric vehicles offer savings including:

Electric vehicle servicing is typically cheaper as there are fewer mechanical components when compared to a typical combustion engine. This cost saving can also be enhanced by choosing a service plan for your electric car.
Lower or zero vehicle tax. Until 2025, there is no VED (vehicle excise duty) to be paid on electric cars. After 2025, electric vehicles will be charged, but this rate will be significantly lower than petrol or diesel cars for the first year.
Clean air zones typically charge less for lower or zero emission vehicles.

EV Battery VS Petrol/Diesel

The average range of modern electric vehicles is around 200 miles on a full charge. This would cost approximately £17 to charge your electric vehicle at home (depending on your tariff). In comparison, a petrol or diesel car could cost in the region of £45 to achieve the same mileage range. This cost saving increases further for EV users charging their car at home on an off-peak overnight electricity tariff.

Cheaper servicing and maintenance

Electric vehicle servicing is typically cheaper as there are fewer mechanical components when compared to a typical combustion engine. This cost saving can also be enhanced by choosing a service plan for your electric car.

Vehicle Excise Duty (Tax)

Lower or zero vehicle tax. Until 2025, there is no VED (vehicle excise duty) to be paid on electric cars. After 2025, electric vehicles will be charged, but this rate will be significantly lower than petrol or diesel cars for the first year.

Clean Air Zones

Clean air zones can now be found in most cities and large towns. They charge a fee for driving through and this fee can vary depending on your vehicle. You can expect to pay much less when you drive lower or zero emission vehicles.

Better Driving Experience

With the advances in technology, electric vehicles now have equal, if not better, driving experiences and performance than their petrol/diesel counterparts.

Electric cars tend to now have better acceleration, with their motors creating instant torque and the ride tends to be smoother and much quieter.

Another advantage of electric cars is that they are also designed to be as efficient as possible, with less moving parts to the vehicle.

There are generally three main components; the on-board charger, inverter and motor. This means there is reduced wear and tear and less stress on the motor, with fewer parts susceptible to damage.

As the automotive industry continues to innovate and develop the electric car market, we predict that the quality, comfort and features offered by new electric cars will outshine any combustion vehicle competitor.

Charging at home

You can read more about electric vehicle charging on our Electric Vehicle Owners Page.

It's extremely frustrating when you get into your car and notice the fuel tank is on empty. With an electric vehicle, you don't need to worry about rushing to a fuel station, or even driving around to find a charge station as you can charge your electric car at home.

When charging your electric vehicle at home, you have two main options:

Slow Charging: This involves plugging your car into a standard domestic socket using a traditional 3-pin plug. While this method is easy to use, it can take over 24 hours to fully charge your vehicle in some cases.
Wall Box: Alternatively, you can invest in a wall box, which can be installed on the side of your house or in your garage. Wall boxes provide a much faster charge and are both safe and reliable. A typical wall box installation can cost around £1,000.

Environmental Benefits of EVs

Electric cars have many environmental benefits and many experts agree that the electrification of the automotive industry will be vital in our efforts to stem climate change. Here are some of the benefits EVs are having on our natural world:

Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, which means they don't release harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. By driving an electric car, you contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, which are a significant factor in climate change. Even when accounting for the electricity used for charging, EVs typically have a smaller carbon footprint compared to conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles.

Decreased Air Pollution

Since electric cars do not burn fossil fuels, they help reduce air pollution in urban areas. This leads to improved air quality and public health, as lower levels of air pollutants like particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reduce the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Cleaner air contributes to a healthier environment for everyone, especially in densely populated cities.

Conservation of Natural Resources

Electric vehicles support the conservation of natural resources by reducing the demand for oil and other fossil fuels. Additionally, many EV manufacturers, including Kia, are incorporating sustainable practices and materials into their production processes. For example, some companies use recycled or eco-friendly materials for car components and focus on creating batteries that can be recycled at the end of their life cycle. This sustainable approach helps preserve natural resources and reduce the overall environmental impact of vehicle manufacturing and operation.

It's clear to see that driving an electric car is better for the environment in comparison to conventional petrol or diesel vehicles, but there is still a long way to go before the young industry's infrastructure is developed enough to be truly sustainable and have hard hitting impact on climate change.

Many areas, such as battery production and recycling, as well as electricity generation still have huge room for improvement.

Research from the European Energy Agency shows that even accounting for the electricity generation needed to power an EV, emissions are still 17-30% lower than those of conventional cars. Electric cars can become even greener if powered by renewable energy sources.

The UK is at a pivotal moment in electricity production; while fossil fuels are still in use, the latest statistics indicate that more electricity is being generated from low-carbon sources. The government's goal of net zero emissions by 2050 aims to transition the UK to renewable energy completely.

To ensure your EV is as environmentally friendly as possible right now, consider switching to an energy provider that supplies low-carbon electricity.

Electric Cars are Futureproof

As electric cars gain popularity, the supporting infrastructure is rapidly expanding. The UK now boasts more electric vehicle charging stations than petrol stations, highlighting the growing adoption of EVs. This trend is expected to continue, with new public charging stations being installed across the country every week.

Additionally, companies like Kia are investing heavily in electric car technology, allowing EVs to receive regular software updates. Many of these updates can be completed remotely from home, ensuring that your electric car stays up-to-date with the latest technology long after purchase.

Government Funding for Electric Vehicles

As part of their green initiative, the UK Government has been offering incentives and funding to help people switch to EVs.

Here are some of the grants and funding available to electric car owners in the UK (correct as of June 2024):

Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant

The Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant offers up to 75% of the costs of installing a smart charge point at home. You might be eligible for this grant if you live in a flat or rental property, and could receive up to £350 towards the cost of installing a charge point at a dedicated off-street parking site at your home.

You can find out more information on the government website.

On-Street Residential Charge Point Scheme

The On-Street Residential Charge Point scheme offers funding to support the installation of public charging stations in areas lacking private parking.

This initiative aims to increase charging options for residents without driveways or garages, ensuring a smoother transition to all-electric driving for everyone. It's crucial to apply for these grants while they’re available, so if this would benefit your community, consider discussing it with your local authority.

Workplace Charging Scheme

The Workplace Charging Scheme is an excellent opportunity for businesses to install EV charging points at their workplace. This initiative encourages employees to use electric vehicles for their commute by providing financial support for the purchase and installation of charging stations.

The grant covers up to 75% of the cost, capped at £350 per socket, and supports up to 40 sockets across all sites per applicant. This voucher-based scheme makes it easier for businesses to promote sustainable transportation options among their staff.

Grants for electric company cars

Choosing an electric vehicle for your company car can mean that you can save money in other areas, like lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax.

Because BiK is calculated depending on the emissions that your car puts out, choosing an electric car can help you save some money.

Benefits of owning an electric car:

Lower running costs

EV Battery VS Petrol/Diesel

Cheaper servicing and maintenance

Vehicle Excise Duty (Tax)

Clean Air Zones

Better Driving Experience

Charging at home

Environmental Benefits of EVs

Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Decreased Air Pollution

Conservation of Natural Resources

Electric Cars are Futureproof

Government Funding for Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant

On-Street Residential Charge Point Scheme

Workplace Charging Scheme

Grants for electric company cars

New Kia EV

EV Kia Offers

Used EV cars

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