6 WAYS ELECTRIC CARS make life easy

There’s a lot to consider when buying a family car. Here, an expert explains how battery-powered options are a game changer

1 THEY’RE A SAFE BET

‘Reliability is especially important when it comes to a family car,’ says Erin Baker, editorial director at Auto Trader, who has four sons aged 11-16, as well as a dog, with her partner. ‘When buying an electric vehicle (EV) secondhand from our site, batteries come with an eight-year warranty. Also, there are fewer moving parts, such as the clutch, to go wrong.’

2 THEY CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

‘We’re lucky to have off-street parking, which means we can charge at home and make great savings,’ says Erin. ‘Using an off-peak electricity tariff means we pay about £4.72 for 200 miles of fuel, versus £30-40 depending on pump prices.’ Although it’s more economical to run an EV using home charging, nearby charge points are also an option.

3 YOUR KIDS WILL APPROVE

EVS can be a great way for your family to be greener, as they don’t run on fossil fuels or release tailpipe emissions. ‘My children are concerned about the environment, so love our EV,’ says Erin. ‘The cutting-edge tech makes it feel futuristic, so their pals approve too.’

4 THERE’S NO COMPROMISE ON COMFORT OR STYLE

‘Electric vehicles definitely aren’t a hair-shirt option,’ says Erin. ‘There are loads of great makes and models entering the market all the time. In terms of seven-seaters, I’ve got my eye on the Kia EV9 and the Volvo EX90, which are both released in the UK this year.’

5 THEY’RE BECOMING LESS EXPENSIVE

Like any new technology, the first EVS were pricey, but as they become more popular, the cost is lowering. It’s worth checking out the new and used EVS available within your budget – you may be pleasantly surprised. Auto Trader is a great place to start; its search function will help you narrow things down.

6 CHARGING NEEDN’T BE A PAIN

Some people are concerned about EVS on long journeys but many have a range of 200 miles or more, and rapid chargers can add up to 200 miles in 30 minutes. Erin says, ‘On long trips with young kids, you have to stop for breaks anyway, so you can charge then.’

To find the best electric vehicle for your tribe, visit autotrader.co.uk