Are electric cars better than petrol?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are dominating the news headlines as we approach the 2030 ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars. But while there are clear benefits from a lack of emissions, it’s worth debating the pros and cons of each fuel type. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about how electric cars differ from petrol and diesel cars.

Which is better for the environment?

Research shows that EVs are significantly better for the environment than petrol cars. This is because they emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants, including in the manufacturing part of the process, as well as what it takes to keep them running. EVs have evolved over time and designs have become sleeker as new iterations have been released.

The cost of electric cars vs petrol cars

Something to bear in mind when considering an electric car is the starting price when you first invest in one. It can be significantly higher than petrol or diesel cars, which means that many people may feel priced out. This is because they are produced in smaller quantities and use more sophisticated technology.

However, there are finance packages that can help to make them more affordable. To qualify for many of these, you may want to consider improving your credit score to access better finance deals and ultimately, reduce the overall cost of the interest you repay.

The long-term costs

While electric cars are undoubtedly a bigger investment if you pay upfront, the long-term costs of running your EV may help to balance this out, depending on your circumstances. The cheapest EV charging points are likely to be domestic and workplace-based – a full charge can cost less than £5 and if your employer covers the costs with an EV scheme, you could save even more.

Public charging points tend to be more expensive, however, it’s likely you could pay between £10 and £20 for a full charge, which signals a huge difference compared to petrol and diesel costs.

Grants for electric cars

Many people may also be eligible for a government grant for EVs that meet certain specifications. You could receive £2,500 towards the cost of any car that emits less than 50g/km of CO2 emissions that can travel a minimum of 70 miles without creating any emissions. This is likely to exclude hybrid vehicles as only fully electric cars will be capable of this. Meanwhile, you could also receive up to £500 or up to 75% towards the cost of installing an EV charging point at your home.

What are your opinions on electric cars and how do you feel about swapping out petrol and diesel cars in the future?