Whether or not to switch to an electric car can still pose a dilemma. With the 2030 deadline to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars looming, there has been concern about whether the infrastructure will be robust enough to cater for the switch to electric vehicles (EV) in time. So, is now a good time to buy one?
Gradual change
As of June 2023, there were over 44,000 charging points across the UK, in over 25,000 locations. That’s an increase of 36% in June 2022, but much more needs to be done to convince some drivers to take the plunge.
The phasing out will be gradual, however, as petrol and diesel vehicles bought in the 2020s will still be in use throughout the 2030s, and the Government won’t be phasing out hybrid cars until 2035.
Change of habit
Using an electric or plug-in hybrid car means learning new driving habits, like knowing the location of charging points on your journey, especially if you don’t have off-street parking and a charging unit at home. But concerns about the battery’s range and the availability and reliability of charging units will lessen as technology and the charging network continues to improve.
Buying an EV now would put you ahead of the curve by the time it comes to 2030. However, factors like the area you live in, whether you regularly make long motorway journeys or only use the car for short hops around urban areas will affect the decision to go for an EV. Specialists such as https://www.autolyne.co.uk who offer car leasing in Bristol are in a perfect position to provide advice on whether switching to an electric car would be suitable for your lifestyle.
For now, if you’re looking to make the transition but live in an area with few charging units or would prefer the peace of mind of a full petrol tank when embarking on a longer journey, a hybrid car may be the answer for your next vehicle, with a switch to an EV a few years after that.