All photos: Jenny Ueberberg
Just like a traditional car with a fuel-powered engine, the cost of running an electric car will vary depending on the make, model, and specifics of the vehicle that you choose. The good news is that there is an option for everybody, and an electric car is likely to cost you much less throughout ownership compared to traditional petrol- or diesel-powered car. Electricity costs much less than fuel, and electric cars also require less maintenance.
Along with this, there are lots of incentives including government schemes and grants that you might want to take advantage of when saving money on your electric car. Most electric and hybrid cars are exempt from car tax or vehicle excise duty, and many are cheaper to insure due to various safety features. You can drive in the London Congestion Charge zone for free in many electric cars and they are also exempt from fees in Clean Air Zones.
How Much Does Charging an Electric Car Cost?
If you are thinking of getting an electric car, it’s important to think about charging your car. You can work out and better understand the costs involved here at ElectriX. This site looks at electric car costs, charging costs, and maintenance costs. ElectriX has all the information that you will need to get started as a first-time electric car owner.
The cost of charging your electric car will depend on whether you have a charging point at home or are using a public charge point. At public charge points, the cost will depend on the network and location. You can find street chargers and car park chargers offered by local authorities that you can use for free with a network subscription or pay per session. Rapid charge points are usually found at motorway service stations but are generally the most expensive option as they offer a faster charge.
Charging Your Electric Car at Home
The main charging option for most electric car owners is charging your car at home. If you are thinking of upgrading to an electric vehicle, then you will want to make sure that you are on the best home energy tariff to keep this cost down. This is because you will pay for the cost of charging your electric car included with your regular home electricity bill.
How much you can expect to pay will depend on the type of charger you have and how much you charge your car at home. Along with this, you will need to consider the cost of installing a home charge point, which is generally around £1000. You can reduce this by up to £350 with a grant from the Office for Zero-Emission Vehicles.
A lot will also depend on the type of charger you are going to use. There are three types or levels of chargers: level 1, level 2, and level 3. If you love spending long hours riding your electric car then it is better to get a level 2 charger and install it at home with the help of a special service, like the Aardvark Electric - EV home charger installation. This will allow you to charge your car fast and fuss-free.
Road Tax Costs for Electric Cars
Road tax or vehicle excise duty is a personal tax that most car owners will need to pay depending on the carbon emissions of their vehicle. Most drivers of traditional cars that are powered by a combustion engine will need to pay this tax either monthly or yearly. Whether or not you will need to pay vehicle excise duty on your electric car will depend on several factors including whether your car is purely electric, or hybrid, and when it was registered. Purely electric cars are completely exempt from the vehicle excise duty meaning you will have no tax charges to pay for them.
On the other hand, hybrid cars are liable to vehicle excise duty. Some are exempt, while others could cost up to £135 per year depending on the level of CO₂ emissions. Any car that is registered between 1st Match 2001 and 31st Match 2017 with CO₂ emissions that are less than 100g/km will be exempt from vehicle excise duty.
Cost of Electric Car Maintenance
Maintenance and servicing for electric cars are different from regular fuel cars, and you will be glad to hear that it is also more cost-effective, and simpler. This is because electric vehicles have fewer parts, so with a lot less to wear out and break down, you could save up to 50% less on maintenance compared to petrol- or diesel-powered car.
In addition, all-electric cars include some form of regenerative braking, which involves using the electric motor to slow the car while putting electricity back into the battery. This leads to braking that is more efficient and puts less wear and tears on the brakes. As a result, you will need to maintain the brake pads and discs less often compared to a traditional combustion engine car, which can help you save money. MOTs are required, but these are likely to be cheaper with fewer parts to test and no emissions test needed.
As electric cars become more accessible, they are growing in popularity. Before deciding if an electric car is right for you, it’s important to weigh up the costs.
Lots of love,
Liz
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