The electric avenue
Experts wire in with timely advice for those seeking an EV amid fuel crisis
MOTORISTS have shown a huge surge of interest in electric cars after the recent forecourt fuel shortage crisis.
So experts are lining up to provide advice to those thinking of swapping from traditionally powered machines to electric vehicles (EVs).
And it has a particular resonance for many Scots as the nation looks forward to hosting the COP26 international climate change conference.
Price comparison website Uswitch has come up with a sensible checklist to use when buying an EV.
It points out that, just like shopping for a petrol or diesel car, size and suitability should be the top considerations when looking to buy an
EV. If you do a lot of small journeys and need to be able to park in small spaces then your car model should reflect that.
You should also find out how much it will cost to insure, many EVs are now cheaper for policies and some manufacturers have deals with certain providers.
EV ranges have vastly improved and many models can travel 200-250 miles and some more than 300 on a single charge, while recharging times can be as quick as 30 minutes to get you to 80 per cent capacity.
So ensure you know how long and how often you would need to charge your new car in order that it fits in with your lifestyle.
An increasing number of secondhand EVs are available to buy but it’s worth finding out about the manufacturer’s guarantee on the battery.
It’s also important to properly budget for financing your new wheels, whether you are buying or leasing, and don’t be afraid to haggle. The same cost factors apply to getting a wallbox charging point fitted to your home.
If you’ve never driven an EV before, it might be wise to rent the one you fancy to see if it really is the right vehicle for you.
Vehicle leasing outfit Vanarama, meanwhile, has been keen to dispel myths concerning draining battery packs and public charge point availability.
It has found that no in-car features would run down an EV battery by more than 20 per cent. Heating was found to be the most energy-sapping (17 per cent) – but you would need to be driving your car at 70mph with the heating at full blast.
Vanarama’s experts say the range of new EVs is comparable to combustionengined machines, while there are more than 16,000 public chargers with nearly 45,000 connectors UK-wide.
Before you ever end up anywhere near the danger zone of running down the battery pack to zero, your electric car has sophisticated systems to give you plenty of warning – normally at about the 20 per cent charge mark.
Many cars also have integrated satellite navigation systems that can automatically route you to the nearest charging point – be it a lamp post or supermarket car park – and there are many apps and websites that can help.
As your battery life heads closer to zero, the warnings will become more strident and many EVs have a failsafe mode that will reduce performance to a crawl to enable you to safely pull over to the side of the road.
Simple ways to preserve your charge include driving at slower speeds, using