On the road What to consider before switching to green

Q How much will it cost to switch to an electric car?

A Because of their lithium batteries, electric vehicles can be more expensive than diesel or petrol cars.

Cheaper electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf cost around £27,000, while the Renault Zoe is £30,000 and the Volkswagen ID3 about £32,000.

Higher-end ones such as the Tesla Roadster start at around £189,000.

However, by 2030 it is likely electric vehicles will be significantly cheaper.

Q Will an electric car be more expensive to run?

A Electric vehicles are subject to certain tax exemptions that make them cheaper to run. They are exempt from vehicle excise duty, though cars over £40,000 are subject to an additional rate, while hybrids are charged a flat rate of £140 a year.

MOTS and general maintenance are usually cheaper for electric vehicles. Servicing an electric car is usually £120 to £150, compared with an average of £200 for a petrol vehicle.

Insurance is more expensive, but this is expected to decrease.

Q What will happen to my energy bills?

A Charging an electric car costs far less than buying petrol or diesel.

This does not account for the initial outlay for a home charger, however.

According to EDF, rapid chargers at supermarkets cost £6 to £7 for 30 minutes of charging, or 100 miles, depending on the vehicle’s range.

Most people charge their cars at home, which means higher energy bills. EDF calculates that fully charging a Nissan Leaf would cost about £3.20 for a 168-mile range. It can cost up to £1,000 for a home charge point, and there are grants available up to £350.

Q what will happen to the value of my petrol car?

A BY 2030 most existing petrol and diesel cars will be nearing the end of their life. Emissions charges in more towns and cities could also affect value. James Hind, of Carwow, said: “This announcement may itself not have a big impact on valuations now or in the near future. But with more restrictions on petrol and diesel cars in cities, and for future likely vehicle tax increases, we do think if you plan on owning your car for a long time then it’s wise to consider how much petrol or diesel cars will hold their value.

“However, we must not forget that over 80 per cent of people who buy a new car do it through finance, where the depreciation risk is not a concern.”