There is no doubt that electric vehicles (EVs) will eventually dominate our roads. So, what are some of the most important things to know if considering a switch to electric?
Types of electric vehicle
The three main types of EVs are battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and extended range (E-REV).
BEVs are powered only by electricity. They are also known as ‘pure’ electric or ‘100%’ electric. These do not produce any emissions whatsoever.
PHEVs have an electric drive motor, a battery, and an internal combustion engine (ICE). They can be driven using the electric drive motor, the ICE, or both. They have no real range limitation. PHEVs need to be charged regularly in order to be efficient.
EREVs are a sub-type of PHEVs. They have a battery, an electric drive motor, and a small petrol or diesel generator. The wheels are always driven by the electric motor, whilst the ICE acts as a generator when the battery runs out. The range on these is up to 300 miles.
Why are electric vehicles popular?
As well as being much more environmentally friendly, EVs attract lower running costs, charging is much cheaper than the equivalent cost of ‘fuel’, they have fewer mechanical components (and therefore fewer ‘bits’ that can go wrong), and some towns and cities now offer free parking for EVs.
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There are some downsides
The primary concern of many is around range. The average range of an electric car today is around 215 miles. Although this is fine for most, it is not enough for everyone.
Other issues include the unavailability of charge points, high initial purchase prices, and limited battery life.
They are still quite expensive
The purchase price of new electric vehicles actually varies quite considerably but the average in the UK is around £50,000. Of course, used ones cost less than this.