5 things to think about when buying an electric vehicle

Electric Vehicles  |  By

Thinking about embracing the electric revolution and getting behind the wheel of an electric vehicle (EV)?

With their eco-friendly appeal and cost-saving advantages, EVs are becoming an increasingly popular choice for modern drivers. However, making the right decision requires careful consideration of various factors. With the purchase of EV’s on the rise, here at Vavista, we wanted to highlight our 5 things to think about when you’re buying an electric vehicle.

1. There are now over 42,000 EV public charging points in the UK 

A lot of potential electric vehicle (EV) buyers are worried about where they can charge their car once they’ve bought it. This is understandable but the truth is, there are lots of ways to charge.

5 things to think about when buying an electric vehicle. An EV being charged outside.

According to EDF energy, there are more than 42,000 charge point connectors across the UK in over 15,500 locations.[1]

2. Your EV insurance needs to cover different things to a normal car policy

This includes things such as: cover if your charging cable breaks, or public liability insurance if someone trips over your charging wire. Make sure you carefully research your insurance needs and get the correct coverage for you. Thoroughly check your policy documents for all the things you may need.

5 things to think about when buying an electric vehicle. A woman signing a car insurance document.

3. There are no gears in an electric vehicle

An electric car has only three functions: forward, reverse, and neutral. This is because the electric motor turns clockwise or anti-clockwise. The direction in which it’s rotating, determines whether the car will move forwards, or backwards. It’s a different experience to driving a manual car and much more like an automatic to drive.

4. You can recharge your EV at home

When you have off street parking, the best way to charge is to have a home charger installed. This is different to the normal 3-pronged plug you would use at home. Most home chargers have a cable attached, which you just plug in to start charging.  This will give you much faster charging speeds than a regular household plug and you can leave it overnight.

5 things to think about when buying an electric vehicle. A silver car being charged outside a house with wooden cladding.

5. Braking adds miles to the vehicle’s range

Electric cars have a form of regenerative braking. Every time the driver pushes the brake, a small amount of electricity goes back into the battery, increasing the car’s driving range on a single charge. [2]

 

[1] Electric Car (EV) Charging Points UK – A Complete Guide | EDF (edfenergy.com)
[2]  23465-EST+DFT-Charging Electric Vehicles – Best Practice Guide-WEB.pdf (energysavingtrust.org.uk)
Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

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