Wondering if now’s the right time to switch to an electric vehicle (EV)? Want to reduce the carbon footprint of your petrol or diesel car?

​​​​​​​Black Horse is committed to helping UK drivers to minimise their impact on the environment. That’s why our Green Driving Hub is full of useful tips and facts to help you on your way to a more sustainable driving future.

 


Is an EV right for you?

Are you ready to start your journey towards a greener future? Our articles below could help you to decide.

Choosing the right time to go electric

Many people want to drive greener, but is now the best time to make the switch? 

Find out more

How quickly will battery technology evolve?

Should you make the jump to an EV now, or wait for the next breakthrough in battery technology?

Find out more

Is an EV right for me?

Firstly, you’ll want to think about your driving habits and how you might adapt to driving an EV. How long is your average journey? How many miles do you travel each week?

A common worry among drivers who are thinking about making the switch to electric is that they might run out of charge and be stranded at the side of the road. This should become less of a concern as some of the latest EVs can travel as far as 300 miles on a single charge, more than enough for most UK drivers.

And when an EV does need a charge, you might be wondering how long it takes. This can vary, depending on things such as the size of your EV’s battery and the type of charging station you’ll use. According to analysis by Pod Point, one of the UK’s leading providers of EV charging, a typical electric car with a 60kWh battery takes just under 8 hours to fully charge from empty, whereas rapid chargers found at some supermarkets and petrol stations can give you up to 200 miles range in as little as 20 to 30 minutes.

 

Benefits of EVs

  • EVs and plug – in hybrids running only on electricity produce minimal exhaust emissions.
  • According to research by the AA, EVs are typically cheaper to run and maintain than petrol or diesel cars.
  • Currently, EV drivers don’t need to pay vehicle tax and Clean Air Zone charges.
  • EVs are more likely to come with the latest technology.


What you need to know

EVs could be cheaper to run

Depending on how long you own it, you could save money overall by switching to an EV. The yearly running costs should be much lower than for an equivalent petrol or diesel car and there are savings to be made on road tax and clean air zone charges.


How do EVs compare to petrol and diesel cars?

Range: Depending on the make and model, you can currently expect a range of between 100 and 300 miles from a fully charged EV. If you drive to work and your workplace has a charging station, you can plug in your EV so that it’s charged when you finish work each day. If you’re venturing further afield, your EV will give you plenty of notice before you start to run low.

Buying a used EV: Just like petrol and diesel cars, used EVs are cheaper to buy than brand new models. And even though used EVs might be a few years old, they still qualify for the low - emission exemption, so you won’t be charged to drive in a Clean Air Zone.