The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Debunking the myths of electric cars
Did you know that by 2035, there will be no new petrol and diesel vehicles for sale? That’s the country’s long-term plan, so chances are we will all own an electric car in the future.
When the first EVS were released a few years ago, there were many barriers that would deter drivers from buying – including cost, charging and mileage, to name a few. But in the year 2021 it is a much more viable option to petrol and diesel vehicles.
And, if the infrastructure is anything to go by, Dundee is one of the easiest cities in which to drive and own an electric car.
Here we explore the main reasons people may have been put off purchasing an electric car as we debunk the myths and show you how an EV is an affordable and tempting alternative to petrol and diesel motors.
“I CAN’T DRIVE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MILEAGE” – YES, THEY DO
Electric vehicles have come a long way over the years. The newest generation of EVS offer various different mileages, with top-of-the-range models going up to 300 miles and above.
More affordable options can even offer 250 miles plus – and charging is now faster than ever, with a number of models offering up to 100kw plus charging capability.
You’ll be able to travel pretty far on a single charge – and for longer journeys, you can use chargeplacescotland.org or zap-map.com to find suitable charging stops.
Plus, the future is only looking brighter, with features like wireless charging and even faster charging times all being tried and tested. As other places catch up with Dundee when it comes to EV infrastructure, travelling across the country will only become easier.
“I DON’T KNOW WHERE I WOULD CHARGE IT?” – YES, YOU DO
There is funding available (see the Energy Saving Trust website) for installing a domestic charge point, but don’t worry if that isn’t an option. Dundee is leading the way in Europe when it comes to EV infrastructure, so you’ll find a choice of charging options to suit while you’re on the go in the city.
As well as on-street electric charging bays and pop-up electric chargers, Dundee boasts state-of-theart charging points on Princes Street (previously a petrol station but now one of the most advanced EV charging hubs in the country, capable of charging 18 EVS at the same time), Queen Street and Lochee.
There’s also a new charging hub at Green Market, with more to follow at Olympia and Bell Street multi-storey car parks.
TOP TIP: Make sure to register for a Charge Place Scotland card which will activate most chargers across the country.
“I CAN’T BUY AN EV AS I DON’T HAVE ANYWHERE TO PARK” – YES, YOU DO
Dundee City Council is there to support all residents joining them in the drive to become an “electric city” by switching to an EV – in fact, you’ll even be able to park for free! All you have to do it register your EV (excluding hybrids) for the scheme and you’ll then be able to park for free in the following council multistorey car parks:
• Greenmarket
• Gellatly Street
• Olympia
• Bell Street
These car parks use ANPR barrier systems, so once your electric car has been added to the scheme,
simply drive up to the barriers and they’ll open for you! While your car is plugged in and charging, you’ll also be able to park for free in on-street charging bays.
“I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY OR RUN AN ELECTRIC CAR” - YES, YOU CAN
Because there is no combustion engine and it is run entirely (or in some cases partially) on electricity, using a rechargeable battery, there is less risk of having a hefty repair bill if things go wrong.
So, as there are fewer moving parts in an EV, maintenance costs are less compared to its petrol or diesel equivalent.
Topping it up is very affordable too, at as little as 15p per KW (with a 38p connection fee) in Dundee (and one of its numerous charging points, mentioned above) which is much cheaper than escalating petrol and diesel costs which are creeping up over 120p per litre and 130p per litre.
The biggest outlay, for an EV, is obviously the purchasing. However, the price of EVS have substantially come down in price with the cheapest EV on the market for around £15,000 (Skoda CITIGOe iV in Jan 2020), and you may also be able to pick up a preowned one, making it an affordable alternative to petrol/diesel cars.
“I AM DISABLED/USE A WHEELCHAIR, SO IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CHARGE AN EV” – NO, IT IS NOT
In fact this very issue was taken in to consideration by Dundee City Council recently and it is looking into introducing chargers with retractable cord reel, making it easier for wheelchair users to charge their cars. Instead of EV chargers having a fixed length of cable, the heavyduty retractable hosereel-style design allows it to stretch further. This follows a survey by Zap-map and Motability which recently found that “many disabled people will be thinking about investing in an electric vehicle but could be put off by a lack of accessibility at public charge point locations”. Manufacturers of chargers are being encouraged to install lighter and more user-friendly cables, making EV chargers accessible to all.
“I LIVE IN A FLAT/DON’T HAVE A DRIVEWAY, SO CAN’T OWN AN EV” – YES, YOU CAN
Traditionally electric vehicle charging used to be done at home as it was seen as the most convenient and cost-effective way to recharge its battery. Government grants were also introduced to help residents with driveways or gardens to install a home charge point. However, since then, the public electric vehicle charging network has rapidly grown, with Dundee being home to one of the best infrastructures for EV charging. The public charging points (outlined above) mean you do not need a driveway/home charger, making it much easier for those in flats to own an EV. You can also park for free as an EV owner.
“I DON’T DRVE, SO I CAN’T PLAY MY PART IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE CITY’S ZERO EMISSIONS TARGET” - YES, YOU CAN
Switching to an electric car is one way, but for nondrivers there are many alternate ways to help improve the air quality in Dundee by opting for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way of travel.
Next time you are boarding a bus, opt to travel on one of Dundee’s modern electric buses or switch to cycling instead. Maybe even consider purchasing an electric bicycle (e-bike) or hire one to help get you around town or on your daily commute.
To find out more about electric cars and Dundee’s electric vehicle infrastructure, go online to drivedundeeelectric.co.uk