Electric cars have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their environmental benefits, and cost-saving potential. While electric cars have several advantages, there are also some drawbacks. Explore AXA’s guide to the pros and cons of owning an electric car, to help you make an informed decision about whether an electric car is suitable for you.
Electric cars are the future
The recent UK ban on petrol and diesel cars by 2030, means it’s advantageous to move to an electric car model. This ban is part of the government's efforts to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. By switching to electric cars, drivers can reduce their carbon footprint and help protect the environment by an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2 per electric car - this is one of the major reasons why drivers in the UK are considering switching to electric cars or plug-in hybrid cars.
Pros of electric cars
Whether you are already a proud owner of an electric or hybrid car, or you’re looking into going electric, you may be wondering how to protect your vehicle. With AXA electric car insurance, you can expect:
- We'll be there when you need us most, with 99.7% of car insurance claims paid out1
- The most important part of your electric car will be in safe hands, with our battery cover
- Your charging cable is covered in the event of theft or accidental damage
- Accidents happen, so if someone trips over your cable, you'll be covered with our third-party cover
But before you make the change into the next generation of driving, let’s explore the many benefits of electric cars:
No emissions
Electric cars have many advantages over traditional petrol or diesel vehicles. One of the most significant benefits of electric cars is that they have zero emissions. This means they do not release harmful pollutants into the air, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which are both major contributors to air pollution.
Tax credits
When you drive an electric car, you can benefit from tax credits. This is one of the government incentives for electric cars, where if you drive a fully electric vehicle that meets the governments requirements, it’ll be tax-free, thanks to its zero-emission status.
Save on fuel costs
When it comes to electric vs gas prices, you’ll be pleased to know that you can save even more money by cutting fuel costs if you drive a hybrid car, and of course no fuel costs if you drive fully electric. With fuel prices rising and at a record high, switching to an electric vehicle could save you money, not to mention fewer trips to the petrol stations to fill up the tank!
Less maintenance
Electric car maintenance is easier than a traditional petrol/diesel vehicle. With an electric car, you won’t need to get it serviced as often for conventional services, such as oil changes or changing car parts as often. However, battery problems in an electric car can often be expensive to repair if you aren’t covered.
Performance
In terms of electric car performance, you can enjoy a quiet ride on board an electric vehicle. They offer a smoother ride due to the lack of internal combustion engine vibration, and the battery provides instant power to the wheels.
Cons of electric cars
Whilst there are plenty of benefits with driving electric; it’s also important to be aware of some potential drawbacks:
Higher cost
Although the maintenance cost of driving an electric car is considerably lower than a traditional petrol/diesel car, the purchasing price of an electric is, on the more expensive side. The upfront cost of buying an electric car can be considerably higher than a traditional vehicle.
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 for longer ranges, but depending on your day-to-day driving and lifestyle needs, we recommend checking the maximum range before purchasing.
Fewer charging stations and more charging time
Having fewer EV charging stations and more charging time is another downside of electric cars. This means that it can 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 especially inconvenient if you are in a hurry or if you are travelling long distances.
High cost of battery replacement
As the technology of electric cars continues to evolve, so does the cost of the battery. Batteries are expensive to replace depending on the model and type of electric car. The battery replacement 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 that you know the many benefits and potential drawbacks of electric vehicles, we hope these will help you if you’ve decided to go green! And when you do, remember to keep your vehicle protected with AXA Electric Vehicle insurance.
1 Data relates to personal car insurance claims for policies underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc from January to December 2023
