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In part one of a new series focusing on electric vehicles, Daniel Butler-Hawkes, energy solutions officer at Jersey Electricity, offers some pointers for anyone thinking about buying their first EV
HAVE you just taken your car for its annual service, only for the mechanic to announce that the repairs and new parts needed would cost more than the vehicle is worth?
Have you just completed that milestone journey which takes the car to the mileage at which you decided, when you bought it however many years ago, that you would trade it in?
Or have you simply grown tired of the daily battle to squeeze your children’s musical instruments and sports kits into your small run-around and decided that you need something with a little more space?
If, for whatever reason, the time has come for a new set of wheels, have you considered venturing into the world of electric vehicles?
Having taken the step myself some years ago, after first ‘testing the water’ with a hybrid, this is a move which I understand can be daunting for some people.
While the growing choice of EVs means that there is now an option to suit nearly all needs, the constant arrival of new models makes it difficult to know which car will suit you best and, also, whether something more appealing might be just around the corner.
To help you make the right choice, the first thing to do is to determine your budget. While this might sound quite simple, EVs can be more expensive than a similarly performing petrol or diesel car would be. Having said that, the running costs are much lower, with the price of charging an EV being significantly less than the cost of filling up the tank with more traditional fuels. And, thanks to a Government of Jersey initiative, EV owners benefit from half-price parking in public car parks.
After considering the price, most people’s second thought when it comes to EVs is about the car’s range. While range anxiety is a valid concern, particularly if you are planning to use your vehicle abroad, understanding your needs and driving patterns can go a long way towards alleviating this.
If you are only using your car to go to and from work each day, then a 100-mile-range vehicle, such as the Renault Zoe, could be perfect for you, charging up once or twice a week. If, on the other hand, long-distance trips across the UK or France feature in your work or holiday plans, you might want to consider a Kia Niro, which can travel 300 miles on a single charge.
Where you charge is also an important consideration. If you can charge at home, then a car with a smaller battery that might need charging every few days would not be an issue. If you don’t have access to a home charger and rely on Jersey Electricity’s extensive Evolve public charging network, you may need a vehicle with a larger battery, reducing the frequency of your top-ups.
When thinking about buying an EV, it is also worth bearing in mind the vehicles’ pace. EVs respond instantly, going from zero to 60mph in a matter of seconds. While this may not be so significant for local use, the cars’ natural higher performance may mean that you don’t need to splash out on a higher-specification vehicle.
While there are many advantages to owning an EV – not least of which are the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits – there is a further practical consideration, which may determine your choice.
Owing to issues in the supply chain, which have had an impact on the availability of some component parts, some local dealers are reporting six-month wait times for certain models. Are you able to wait this long for a new car or do you need something which is immediately available?
Having said that, there are still plenty of choices in the Island and, as mentioned earlier, if you are not quite ready to go fully electric, a plug-in hybrid vehicle could be the perfect stepping stone.
With many hybrids coming with a 30- or 40-mile electric range, most people’s daily journeys will be covered. If you charge the vehicle overnight, it becomes an electric vehicle with a petrol-tank back-up. This not only reduces your fuel consumption but also gives you the opportunity to establish whether a fully electric vehicle could be right for you next time you need a new car.
