4 reasons why 2017 is the year to switch to EVs in the UK

The London Mayor Sadiq Khan has voiced his growing concerns about air quality in the capital, which has caused an estimated 40,000 early deaths a year across the UK with more than 9,500 of those reportedly in London. To reduce the pollution in the city the Mayor has introduced the £10 daily ‘toxicity’ fine known as the T-Charge which will go into effect from 23rd October 2017 according to TFL (Transport for London). The T-Charge will see drivers of older and more heavily polluting vehicles pay £10 to enter central London.

There is a clear concern from the government to reduce gas emissions and improve the air quality in London. That is why now is the best time to switch to an electric vehicle.

Here are 4 reasons why 2017 is the perfect time to purchase an EV:

1. Government grants reducing the cost of purchasing an electric car.
2. Manufacturers are offering a wider choice of models.
3. Fuel savings.
4. Charging infrastructure.

1. Government grants reducing the cost of purchasing an electric car:

Plug-in car Grant:

• This grant provides up to £4,500 towards the cost of an eligible plug-in vehicle.
• The grant will be offered until 2018.

Find out more.

Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS):

• The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) provides the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant which offers £350 off the cost of purchasing and installing a new home chargepoint for eligible properties..

Find out more.

Workplace Charging Scheme:

• The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a government scheme for electric cars offered by OZEV and provides up to £14,000 off the cost of the purchasing & installing of a new workplace chargepoints.

Find out more.

Diesel Scrappage Scheme:

• The diesel scrappage scheme was first introduced by Boris Johnson in 2014 and is now being revisited within the next few months to improve the air quality across London.

• The scheme is said to offer cashback or a discount on low emission vehicles if you trade in your diesel car.

• Plans include providing £3,500 for 70,000 van and minibus drivers in London to purchase cleaner vehicles.

• £2,000 to help low-income (incomes below £231.60 per week) families in the city to scrap up to 130,000 cars.

• £1,000 to help remove the capital's oldest taxis from the roads with additional support from the Mayor's office.

Sadiq Khan said:"For years government has incentivised and encouraged people to purchase diesel cars it is only fair that they now help people to switch to cleaner alternatives. The government needs to help us clean up the dangerous air in London."

2. Manufacturers are offering a wider choice of models:

With the current EV growth trend, auto manufacturers are competing for the 'top position' with EVs that go further, cost less and accelerate faster.

This is looking promising with models such as:

• Nissan Leaf - up to 107 miles
• Tesla Model S - up to 294 miles
• Kia Soul - up to 132 miles
• BMW i3 - up to 180 miles

3. Fuel savings:

By switching to an electric car you could save up to £952.70 per year

Average petrol costs:

Petrol Costs

• Per day: £3.47
• Week: £24.31
• Year: £1,267.47

Electric costs:

• Per day: £0.86
• Week: £6.04
• Year: £314.77

Savings:

• Per day: £2.61
• Week: £18.27
• Year: £952.70

*This calculation was based on a Nissan Leaf with an average daily mileage of 22. The savings will vary dependent on vehicle and rate. The prices stated above are subject to change.

4. Charging infrastructure:

• With over 70,000 electric cars currently on UK roads and that number forecast to increase to 500,000 by 2020; charging infrastructure is more important than ever.

• By 2020 we calculate the UK will need an infrastructure of over 1 million chargepoints.

• POD Point have already provided over 30,000 chargepoints across the UK and our mission is to put a POD Point everywhere drivers park for an hour or more.

Based on the figures supplied by the SMMT for December 2016, data shows more drivers are going electric. With increased focus on charging infrastructure and support from government grants, 2017 is the year to switch to electric vehicles.