Electric cars - future perfect?

Electric cars - future perfect?

Electric cars have come a long way since the Sinclair C5 and your local milk float: this year sees the launch of a number of desirable and practical electric vehicles (EVs) which could finally make zero-emissions motoring a reality for many British drivers.   

Clean, green - and cheap to run

Electric cars emit no harmful emissions from their exhausts, and while much domestic electricity in the UK is still supplied from coal-fired power stations, choosing to recharge on a 'green' tariff or opting for a renewable-source supplier will make running an EV even more eco-friendly. Though electric cars are more carbon-intensive to produce, over their entire lifespan they are lower-carbon than conventional petrol- or diesel-engined vehicles. That's the 'clean' and 'green' bit - and EVs are also cheap to run.

A full recharge for a typical electric car, giving a range of around 100 miles, can cost less than £1 and is unlikely to cost more than £3.50, depending on the electricity tariff and supplier used. Many EV owners recharge their car on a cheap overnight or off-peak rate. And some local councils even offer free recharging - and parking - at their public on-street points. 

Meanwhile, electric cars are exempt from vehicle excise duty (annual road tax) as well as fuel duty, and Londoners (or those commuting into central London) benefit from exemption from the daily congestion charge. Some local councils give further incentives to EV owners, such as lower-rate residents' parking permits. 

Manufacturers are offering all-in lease deals which include servicing, maintenance and warranties, to reassure buyers. And while electric cars remain expensive to buy in the first place, government-backed grants and subsidies of up to 25% of a car's price or £5,000 are available.  

Not for everyone - just yet 

Current battery technology means that most EVs still have a limited range (the distance they can travel between recharges). However, drivers doing up to 100 miles a day - the most that the majority need for everyday usage - should find the range perfectly adequate, especially if they are only using their EV as a second car or runaround for shopping, the school run and other local duties.

There is not, as yet, an extensive network of public recharging points, though most local authorities have a plan to introduce more over the next few years. Expect to see fast-charge points (for a quick-zap top-up) at service stations, car parks and in other public areas, as well as workplace facilities, in the not-too-distant future, too. 

Most EV owners do the majority of their recharging at home, however - which means that you need to have access to off-street parking (a driveway or garage) where you can install a dedicated charging point. This typically costs £250-£1000; charging via a domestic socket or extension cable is not recommended for safety reasons.

The limited choice of electric cars available has also been a drawback until now - the tiny G-Wiz two-seater or, at the other extreme, the Tesla Roadster, will not suit everyone. However, family-sized cars such as the Nissan LEAF and Ford Focus Electric, and practical small hatchbacks like the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iON, are now either on sale already or coming next year. And for those not quite convinced about going all-electric, a new breed of 'range-extended EVs' with tiny engines which act as a generator give more miles to the charge: the Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt are the first of these on sale in the UK. 

Buying an electric car is one potential way to save money on your motoring - but if you're not quite ready to make the switch, another way to potentially cut your costs while finding the right policy for your needs is to shop around online for a car insurance quote.

Issued by Sainsbury's Finance