Electric cars are increasingly popular. With their environmental benefits and cost-saving potential, electric cars have several advantages. But what are the drawbacks? And is it time for you to go electric?
Electric cars are the future
In the UK, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2030. The deadline for hybrid sales is 2035. This ban is part of the government's efforts to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. By switching to electric, drivers can reduce their carbon footprint by an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2 each year.
Electric car insurance
Looking to switch? You may be wondering how to protect your EV. With AXA's electric car insurance, you can expect:
- The most important part of your electric car will be in safe hands, with our battery cover.
- Your charging cable is covered for theft and accidental damage.
- Accidents happen. So, if someone trips over your cable, you'll be covered with our third-party cover.
- We'll be there when you need us most, with 99.7% of car insurance claims paid out1
Pros of electric cars
Before you make the change into the next generation of driving, let’s explore the benefits of electric cars:
No emissions
Fully electric cars have zero emissions. They don't release harmful pollutants into the air. Regular car emissions like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide are both contributors to air pollution.
Save on fuel costs
You can cut fuel costs if you drive a hybrid car. But for ultimate savings, going fully electric means you won't pay for petrol or diesel at all. With fuel prices rising, switching to an electric vehicle could save you money.
Less maintenance
Electric car maintenance is easier than a traditional vehicle. You won’t need to get it serviced as often for oil changes or changing parts. However, battery problems in an electric car can be expensive to fix.
Performance
With an electric car, you can enjoy a quiet trip. They offer a smoother ride since there's no internal combustion engine vibration. Instead, the battery gives instant power to the wheels.
Cheaper tax
While the tax benefits for driving an electric car aren’t as good as they used to be, your first year taxing a new full-electric vehicle will be cheaper. Newly registered zero emissions cars will cost you £10 to tax.
Cons of electric cars
So there are plenty of benefits with driving electric. But it’s also important to be aware of some potential drawbacks:
Higher cost
Although the maintenance cost of driving an electric car is lower than a traditional petrol/diesel car, the car itself is probably more on the expensive side.
Range anxiety
If you’re looking to travel long distances, you may find another problem of electric driving is its range. The first models of electric cars could only drive around 100 miles on a full charge. Newer models can drive further, but depending on your day-to-day driving and lifestyle needs, you'll need to check the maximum range before you buy.
Fewer charging stations and more charging time
Having fewer EV charging stations and more charging time is another downside of electric cars. The UK's EV infrastructure is growing, but it can still be difficult to find a charging station when you need one. And when you do find one, you may need to wait a long time for your car to charge. This can be inconvenient if you're in a hurry, or travelling long distances.
High cost of battery replacement
As electric car tech evolves, so does the cost of the battery. Replacement batteries can be expensive, depending on the model and type of electric car. This cost can also factor in the resale value of electric vehicles, as the battery will need to be replaced at some point during the car's lifespan.
Now you know the benefits and potential drawbacks of electric vehicles, we hope we've helped you decide if you're ready to go green! If you do, remember to keep your vehicle protected with AXA Electric Vehicle insurance.
1 Data relates to personal motor insurance claims for policies underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc from January – December 2024
