Electric Vehicles vs. Traditional Vehicles

You'll be pleasantly surprised by the savings and performance of a hybrid or electric vehicle in comparison to a traditional vehicle with an internal combustion engine!

Money Differences

Given the current cost of living, one of the most differences is the cost of refuelling.

In 2018, Fleet News reported that switching to an electric car was “estimated by Energy Saving Trust to save £100 in refuel costs for every 1,000 miles driven”.

Although the cost of electricity may have gone up since 2018, it is worth bearing in mind that electric vehicles are getting more and more efficient every year, the cost of petrol and diesel is still considerably greater, and there are cost-efficient tariffs available for those who charge their vehicle up overnight as they might a mobile phone.

As EVs have fewer moving parts in its mechanisms, it means that they require less maintenance – another substantial saving!

Refuelling Differences

Many people still claim that the infrastructure of chargers is not in place to sustain ownership of electric vehicles in the UK and that charging is too slow. However, refuelling to go 100 miles with a petrol pump can take just as long as charging up an EV to go 100 miles using a 100kW charger.

Although long journeys take a bit of planning to make sure one drives near a rapid charger (particularly in areas without many chargers, such as rural Wales and Scotland), the numbers of rapid chargers available are increasing daily. Just check on Zap-Map.com to check out chargers wherever you drive.

Market Differences

Increasing numbers of hybrid and electric vehicles are being bought every year, so you certainly won't be in a small minority!

Alternative fuel vehicles are already outselling diesel cars in the UK and this trend will continue given the fast-approaching ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2035.

Environmental Differences

While hybrid and electric vehicles are not "100% green" given the emissions involved in generating electricity and manufacturing, they are still significantly cleaner than traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines. EV batteries also last a long time and can be increasingly recycled to reuse precious materials and reduce their impact on the environment.

Some people have wondered if the National Grid can cope with the extra demand and whether generating electricity itself will be clean & green. The UK currently has about 10GW of offshore wind power and has plans to be able to generate another 40GW of offshore wind power by 2030. 40GW gives enough energy for everyone in the UK to power an EV.

Performance Differences

Hybrid and electric vehicles do drive slightly differently. Electric vehicles have no gears, so any torque is instant, meaning that the acceleration can take many drivers by surprise!

To house the battery within the chassis, most manufacturers position it low down in the vehicle, which means that it has a lower centre of gravity. In turn, this means that EVs usually have good handling and a slightly softer suspension than drivers may be used to.