Making the switch to electric
Steve Carter has racked up more than 10,000 miles in one year on his Zero DS
“Working as an insulation surveyor I do about 20,000 miles a year visiting building sites, hospitals, school, etc, most of which are in urban areas. I used to have a BMW RT but it was so big and heavy I struggled to get it out of sites if the terrain was poor and occasionally even got stuck. In the end I started to use my Ariel Huntmaster instead.
“Last year the thought of an electric bike got into my head and so I started to read up about them and after weighing up the pros and cons the Zero seemed to make financial sense as well as being practical, so I bought the DS from the English Electric Motor Co. “The DS’s upright riding position is very comfortable, which is essential as I ride whatever the weather and is why I’ve also fitted an Avon fairing, which admittedly isn’t the best looking thing... Although initially expensive as I bought it outright, it is saving me money longterm and I have also claimed cash back on it. As it is a business vehicle I can write its value off against tax, claim back the VAT and every 10,000 miles it saves me about £1000 in fuel costs, probably more as I often charge it up on site or at free charging stations.
“You have to work with an electric vehicle, not fight its limitations. If I have to go on a long ride I keep it at 60mph to conserve the battery rather than 70mph, which might take 10 minutes longer but dramatically improves the range. And when I stop I always look to top the battery up, a quick 30 minute charge while I’m having a coffee can gain me necessary miles. And I look at going the shortest distance, which often means through London rather than around the M25 but doesn’t seem to take any longer as you are on two wheels and the Zero is brilliant in an urban environment.”