Why are the goalposts moving with the ban of new non-electric vehicles and should they be a priority?
The automotive sector has seen a rapid onslaught of changes in the last few years, from a revised highway code to smart motorways and dazzling LED Lights. One change that might stand the test of time, however, is the steady implementation of Electric Vehicles (EV).
The plan to accelerate a greener transport future was launched in late 2020, with a ten-year roadmap. In 2023 the UK Prime Minister, Sunak, pushed the 2030 target of banning new non-electric vehicles back five years to 2035.
Should it be a priority of road users to find an Electric Vehicle? And how much will it cost?
COVID interrupted world plans between 2019 – 2022, bringing economies and industries to a standstill. With less than ten years to reach the 2030 deadline, barely any media coverage, and the mounting cost of living, it’s prudent to suggest that people outside the automotive sector forgot about the initiative, in light of more pressing news matters.
It’s viable to consider that the global pandemic could have contributed to the deadline moving – allowing more breathing space, and a full ten years of preparation.
The UK Government is pushing for the implementation of EVs, but some consider it to public detriment. London's Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was expanded in August 2023 to cover the entirety of London - penalising those who don't have an EV by charging them £12.50 a day for the convenience of driving their car, and causing an outcry.
To put it into context, if you needed your car to drive to work 5 days a week, it would cost you £62.50. For a month, £250. For a year, £3000. Mixed with a cost-of-living crisis, it would arguably short-change motorists, preventing them from saving effectively to make the switch to an EV.
It's imperative to note the cost of Electric Vehicles, versus their Petrol / Diesel counterparts. The price of a cheap, reliable Petrol/Diesel runner, £1,000-£2,000, would soar dramatically, with the cheapest Electric vehicles on the market (presently, 2024) being around £10,000 to buy outright, second-hand. That’s a huge increase for the average person, considering that wages have remained relatively stagnant in the UK since 2020.
Anyone unable to save an extra £10,000 a year (which would take a chunk out of anyone’s salary, never mind the median UK person, which is £34,900 in 2024) on first look at this, would probably start looking at transport methods of non-car dependent travel, such as greener-methods such as buses or cycling’s, or stick to their Petrol/Diesel.
It should be a priority for road users to switch to EVs, but it would be naïve to assume it’s an easy switch, especially for Petrol/Diesel Vehicle owners based in London, or those who frequent the area. One of the best things to do is consult an auto broker, so they can assist you with buying or selling such vehicles.
With ULEZ in force, and the price-point of EVs causing road users to look into more affordable public transport options, this would contribute to the planned future of greener transport. However, there are grants to help individuals and businesses buy Electric Vehicles or install charging points for them, from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
As of the time this article is written, April 2024, 4 grants are of direct benefit to individuals:
1.) The Plug-In Vehicle Grant (PIVG) provides a discount. Since 2022, this does not apply to cars, with the Plug-in Car Grant being withdrawn. The vehicles must be on the government-approved list. You can get a 20%-35% discount, capped at certain amounts for different vehicles, whether it's a van, motorcycle, wheelchair-accessible, or a moped.
2.) The Electric Vehicle Home-charge Scheme (EVHS) helps EV owners offset up to £350 off their residential charger. Limited to those who live in flats, and people who live in rental accommodation, where there is off-street parking.
3.) The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) covers electric car charger installation.
4.) The On-Street Residential Charge-point Scheme (ORCS) helps local authorities install on-street residential electric car chargers, which is great for residents who don't have off-street parking.
Is immediately changing over worth it?
In the short term? Don't worry. In the long term, yes. And ten years isn’t that far away…
The Plug-In Vehicle Grant is still a highlight to consider, allowing for a mutually beneficial relationship between brokers and dealerships promoting Electric Vehicles, and consumers.
The grant also applies to vehicle manufacturers. Fiat and Skoda, for example, offer grant-based schemes across their website. The discount is of certain help and provides aid to those struggling due to ULEZ.
The cost of an Electric Vehicle may pay off in the long run. As it stands for 200 miles, it would be £35 to fill a petrol car, or £17 for an EV, a 50% saving. It's also worth pointing out that zero-emission vehicles are completely exempt from Road Tax, saving you money.
The mileage is less obvious than Petrol/Diesel vehicles, but it can be more economical. In Winter, the average capacity is 150 miles (Motorway Driving, Sports Mode, and Fully loaded). This almost doubles, if driving on Urban Roads, Eco, in Summer as a Driver only, with an estimated range of 310 miles. The average mileage of a Petrol / Diesel vehicle is 390, which isn’t a huge difference, so the transition shouldn’t be that difficult, especially considering the large amount of EV charging points across England.
Considering the maximum 35% discount off the cost of a brand-new EV, and the savings made by EV Charging, this is definitely a change to consider saving for, before the mandate of 2035 bans the manufacture of new fossil fuel vehicles.
The environmental benefits are also worth consideration – EVs significantly reduce your carbon footprint, and combat air and noise pollution, especially in cities. Fossil fuels, such as petrol and diesel, are finite resources, and the gradual switch to Electric will allow societies to seamlessly adapt, without the entire motor industry grinding to a halt when those resources are exhausted.
Whilst you’ll still be able to drive your Petrol/Diesel car come the 2035 deadline, we do not know, at present, how expensive or scarce fuel may be, or if the rise of EVs will have made regular petrol stations concede to prioritise EV Charging Points. The technological advancements of the last ten years also hint that the mileage capacity may increase, as well as the efficiency, making it a smart trade in preparation for a greener future.
Overall, Electric Vehicles offer long-term cost savings, an enhanced driving experience, and contribute to environmental conservation. We offer a 100% free car brokerage service - for more information on how we can find, or sell, an Electric Vehicle that meets your requirements get in touch with us via awcarbroker@gmail.com
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