Got a question about buying an EV? Never fear, as Steve Cropley has the answers. So read on to find out just how eco-friendly an electric car really is, whether you need to worry about range and much more.
EV guide part one: every electric car rated | EV guide part two: how to buy a used electric car
Is it true that the total cost of an EV is currently greater than of an equivalent petrol or diesel car?
Yes, mostly due to the high initial cost of the vehicle. The entry-level Volkswagen ID 3 costs around £37,000; an equivalent 1.0-litre turbo petrol Golf undercut that by around £12,000. But it has to be remembered that the resale prices of EVs are high now and likely to remain so, while the pricing gap between the ICE and EV is narrowing all the time.
Meanwhile, the fuelling costs of an EV are substantially lower. EDF Energy says that, based on an average electricity cost of 34p per kWh, a Nissan Leaf or a Kia e-Niro costs about £9 per 100 miles, compared with more like £14 per 100 miles for a 40mpg petrol equivalent. In a 12,000-mile year, assuming no further hikes in tariffs, that puts the cost of the electric ID3 at a shade over £1,000, whereas the petrol Volkswagen Golf will cost more like £1750.
On top of that, you save big time on company car tax, road tax and, if you’re a Londoner, the ULEZ fee and the congestion charge (just raised from £11.50 per visit to £15). Tesla says that for inner-city commuting, this amounts to £576 per month, or an enormous £27,627 over four years.
Batteries degrade, don’t they? If so, how quickly?
The jury is still out on this one, but the general feeling is that automotive traction batteries degrade slower than owners and manufacturers initially feared. Some early, high-mileage Nissan Leafs and Renault Zoes are showing battery degradation, but later cars are resisting this better. Many regular users are pleasantly surprised. Having said that, the battery is the most expensive component in any current EV, and if it were to need replacing after eight or 10 years, it’s doubtful that the car would justify an investment of up to £5000 to £10,000. There are ways of prolonging battery life – such as not fully charging every time – which help.