The age of electric vehicles is here with more and more manufacturers bringing out superb options to rival the traditional car market. The rising popularity now means that there are almost one million electric vehicles on UK roads. So, if you’re in the market for a new car, you may be wondering whether to go for an EV yourself.
To help you come to your own conclusion, we’ve put together a handy comparison guide below. We’ll take a look at the positives and negatives of both electric and petrol-based cars, so you can see which one suits your driving needs. Read on to find out more.
Positives of electric vehicles
- Low carbon emissions – driving an EV releases low carbon emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly way to get around.
- Affordable to run – the cost of charging the car is lower than paying fuel prices and you won’t have to pay road tax, helping you save money every year.
- Government grants are available – these can help to make a car more affordable. You may still need to buy your car on finance, which will require you to build your credit score up to be approved.
Negatives of electric vehicles
- Can be expensive to buy – the price for electric vehicles is high at the moment due to the technology required to build them. Plus, the used EV market is relatively scarce compared to fuel-based cars.
- Charging time can be long – it can take up to eight hours to fully charge a car, making it more time-consuming than filling up at a pump.
Positives of petrol-based vehicles
- More affordable – you can pick up new petrol-based vehicles for a fraction of the cost of an EV, making them more accessible to the UK population.
- Huge used car market – if you don’t need a brand-new car, there are plenty of used options available.
- Convenient to refuel – petrol stations can be found all over the UK, so you won’t have to worry about not being able to find one nearby.
Negatives of petrol-based vehicles
- High fuel prices – fuel prices can rise by a lot, making the average cost of filling your car up expensive.
- Harmful to the environment – some petrol-based cars release huge amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, making them dangerous to the environment.
- Road tax charges – you’ll have to pay road tax every year to drive your car on the road.
The infrastructure of electric vehicles in the UK is now at a level that makes them an extremely viable option for drivers. However, different driving preferences will dictate your decision when picking your new car. Be sure to consider all the points above to make sure you’re happy with your final decision and you should end up with a car you’ll love for years to come.