Why Electric Transport is the Next Big Thing
In 2018, the UK government set out its ambition to lead the way in the field of electric transportation with the ‘Road to Zero’ strategy. Promising a “massive roll-out of infrastructure to support the electric vehicle revolution”, the strategy expects at least half of all new cars to be ultra-low emission by 2030, and the UK “the best place in the world to build and own an electric vehicle.”
And it’s not just cars. Electric buses are now a regular sight on the streets of London, and personal electric vehicles including electric scooters are expected to be legalised following the Department for Transport’s Future of Transport Regulatory Review.
So why is electric transport receiving so much support and investment?
Electric transport is better for the environment
In recent years, there has been a huge shift in public awareness surrounding climate change. An increasing demand for more sustainable and environmentally sound transport options has been reflected in the government’s stronger position on reducing greenhouse gases. By switching to zero emission electric vehicles, damaging carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide gases from petrol and diesel engines will no longer enter the air.
With large cities still feeling the harmful effects of air pollution, residents will benefit from improved health along with a reduction in ecological damage as more electric vehicles are introduced. London already has an ‘ultra low emission zone’, and other cities around the UK are all set to follow suit, supporting cleaner travel through urban areas.
Lower running costs
The cost per mile of fuelling an electric vehicle instead of a petrol or diesel one is much lower. Current estimates suggest that charging an electric car costs around half the cost of petrol per mile, and that price drops to a third if you charge your car at home instead of public charging points.
In addition, electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain than those with an internal combustion engine. To put it simply, battery operated vehicles have far fewer moving parts, and less to go wrong. Servicing costs are lower, and replacement parts are often cheaper too.
Convenient charging
With an electric vehicle, you will never be forced to take a detour looking for a petrol station or queue on a busy forecourt again. Designed to charge easily when you’re at home or work, an electric car can be charged by a standard outlet during the working day or overnight and be ready for hundreds of miles of travel, and smaller micromobility vehicles can even be plugged in under your desk. Public charging points are also increasingly widely available, and this will continue to improve as the number of electric vehicles on the road grows over time.
While new owners often struggle with ‘range anxiety’ – the fear of being restricted by battery levels – electric vehicle batteries offer impressive journey ranges that, with a little planning, won’t limit movement.
Electric vehicles are now becoming mainstream, which is a good thing for the planet and a great thing for our wallets. Offering a cleaner, cheaper and more convenient way of getting from A to B, the transition to a fully electric future is a real possibility.