And Why EV Sales Are Soaring
With everything that’s going on in the world right now, climate change has fallen away from the front pages and the list of the most-read stories on the news apps. But the good news is that despite taking a back seat when it comes to column inches, drivers are still making sustainable and environmentally responsible choices when it comes to buying new vehicles.
The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that despite new car registrations in the UK falling, sales of electric vehicles are going through the roof.
In March, which is the critical ‘new numberplate’ month for the automotive industry, electric vehicles had their best ever month for sales, with electric and hybrid vehicles accounting for one-in-three vehicle registrations. Sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs*) rose by 78%, with 39,315 more clean, quiet and sustainable EVs now zipping around the roads of the UK. Hybrids (HEVs) were also up by 28.4% to 27,737 units, with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) falling by 7.5%.
*Don’t know your BEVs from your PHEVs? Then take a look at our jargon buster for all the important EV charging terms.
The figures from the SMMT also gave us some interesting insights into the vehicles that are most popular with new car buyers. Amazingly, both of the best selling vehicles in March, regardless of fuel type, were electric vehicles. The Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3 pipped the Vauxhall Corsa and the Nissan Qashqai to the post - no doubt putting a big smile on old Elon’s face. And for the year to date, the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 are the sixth and seventh best sellers respectively.
There are all sorts of benefits associated with driving electric cars. Undoubtedly the biggest one is that they’re so much better for our planet. Battery electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, which makes them greener, cleaner and better for the environment than petrol and diesel cars. And as an EV does not emit any of the gases associated with global warming, it’s also a very effective way to reduce your carbon footprint.
But the environmental benefits are just one of the advantages that are persuading more and more people to buy electric vehicles. Here are a few of the others:
1. Low running costs
With petrol and just about everything else costing a fortune these days, it’s great to make a saving where you can. The BBC’s fuel cost calculator shows that it costs an average of £88.00 (wow) to fill the tank of a medium-sized car at the moment. That’s enough to make you feel a bit sick.
In comparison, it costs an average of around £15 to fully charge a typical electric car with a 60kWh battery and a 200-mile range. That’s a decent saving in anyone’s book. And some chargers are even free to use, with many workplaces providing free or low-cost charge points to employees and some local authorities installing free charge points in public car parks.
2. Low maintenance costs
We hate to go on about money, but given the cost of living crisis that’s hitting us hard at the moment, this is another benefit that’s worth shouting about. While the purchase price of an electric vehicle is marginally higher than a petrol or diesel vehicle, the ongoing maintenance costs are far lower.
For a start, there’s no road tax to pay, so that’ll save you a couple of hundred quid. On average, electric vehicles are also cheaper than petrol and diesel cars to insure. Probably the biggest maintenance saving you stand to make though, is on the mechanical work electric vehicles require over their lifetimes. The simplicity of electric motors, with around 20 moving parts, makes them far cheaper to maintain and repair than combustion engines, which have hundreds of components that can fail.
3. A more enjoyable driving experience
Electric cars are surprisingly good fun to drive. One of the first things you’ll notice when cruising around in your electric car is just how quiet and peaceful it is. The only sound you’ll be able to hear is the gentle whirring of the electric motor and Diana Ross pounding out of your sound system. But aside from the comfortable and peaceful driving experience, it’s the performance that’s really unexpected.
Electric cars are lighter than petrol and diesel vehicles and all of their power is generated immediately, so the acceleration from even large, family EVs can be surprising. Believe it or not, most electric cars on the market can do 0-60 mph in less than eight seconds, so you’ll be able to give most boy racers a run for their money.
But driving enjoyment is about more than just speed. The batteries of electric vehicles are often placed in the floor, which gives them a low centre of gravity and excellent balance and weight distribution. That allows you to glide effortlessly around corners and curves.
4. Higher resale values
Back to money again we’re afraid, but this is another EV benefit worth shouting about. With electric vehicles becoming increasingly popular and the ban of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030, most electric vehicles retain their value extremely well.
There are variations in how individual makes and models hold their value, but on the whole, new electric cars retain an average of 48.9% of their value after three years or 36,000 miles. That’s compared to 40% of the value of new petrol and diesel cars.
5. More space
Driving enjoyment and cost are not the only measures of a vehicle’s performance. If you’re looking for a family-friendly electric vehicle, then the good news is that many EVs tend to be more spacious than comparable petrol and diesel cars as there’s no engine to accommodate. That can improve comfort levels inside EVs and give you more of that all-important boot space.
6. Better infrastructure
You can be the proud owner of your own compact, all-weather home charging unit for an average cost of around £800. Throw in the government’s EV chargepoint grant, which covers up to £350 of your installation, and you’re looking at a little over £400 to plug in and charge your electric vehicle at home and benefit from off-peak charging rates.
There are also far more public charge points than there have ever been before. At the end of March 2022, there were more than 30,000 charge points with more than 50,000 connectors across 19,000 UK charging locations. The speed of those charge points is also increasing, with ultra-rapid chargers now able to charge most EVs to 80% in 20-30 minutes.
With so many benefits and the cost of petrol and diesel soaring, it’s little wonder that more people than ever before are now switching to electric vehicles. And importantly, charging electric vehicles has never been easier, which is making charging anxiety a thing of the past.
With the Bonnet app, you can access more than 30,000 charge points on the best charging networks across the UK and Europe. Just download Bonnet, find a charger, and pay for your charge all on the app. You’ll also get access to accurate, real-time data on each charge point.
And Why EV Sales Are Soaring
With everything that’s going on in the world right now, climate change has fallen away from the front pages and the list of the most-read stories on the news apps. But the good news is that despite taking a back seat when it comes to column inches, drivers are still making sustainable and environmentally responsible choices when it comes to buying new vehicles.
The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that despite new car registrations in the UK falling, sales of electric vehicles are going through the roof.
In March, which is the critical ‘new numberplate’ month for the automotive industry, electric vehicles had their best ever month for sales, with electric and hybrid vehicles accounting for one-in-three vehicle registrations. Sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs*) rose by 78%, with 39,315 more clean, quiet and sustainable EVs now zipping around the roads of the UK. Hybrids (HEVs) were also up by 28.4% to 27,737 units, with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) falling by 7.5%.
*Don’t know your BEVs from your PHEVs? Then take a look at our jargon buster for all the important EV charging terms.
The figures from the SMMT also gave us some interesting insights into the vehicles that are most popular with new car buyers. Amazingly, both of the best selling vehicles in March, regardless of fuel type, were electric vehicles. The Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3 pipped the Vauxhall Corsa and the Nissan Qashqai to the post - no doubt putting a big smile on old Elon’s face. And for the year to date, the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 are the sixth and seventh best sellers respectively.
There are all sorts of benefits associated with driving electric cars. Undoubtedly the biggest one is that they’re so much better for our planet. Battery electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, which makes them greener, cleaner and better for the environment than petrol and diesel cars. And as an EV does not emit any of the gases associated with global warming, it’s also a very effective way to reduce your carbon footprint.
But the environmental benefits are just one of the advantages that are persuading more and more people to buy electric vehicles. Here are a few of the others:
1. Low running costs
With petrol and just about everything else costing a fortune these days, it’s great to make a saving where you can. The BBC’s fuel cost calculator shows that it costs an average of £88.00 (wow) to fill the tank of a medium-sized car at the moment. That’s enough to make you feel a bit sick.
In comparison, it costs an average of around £15 to fully charge a typical electric car with a 60kWh battery and a 200-mile range. That’s a decent saving in anyone’s book. And some chargers are even free to use, with many workplaces providing free or low-cost charge points to employees and some local authorities installing free charge points in public car parks.
2. Low maintenance costs
We hate to go on about money, but given the cost of living crisis that’s hitting us hard at the moment, this is another benefit that’s worth shouting about. While the purchase price of an electric vehicle is marginally higher than a petrol or diesel vehicle, the ongoing maintenance costs are far lower.
For a start, there’s no road tax to pay, so that’ll save you a couple of hundred quid. On average, electric vehicles are also cheaper than petrol and diesel cars to insure. Probably the biggest maintenance saving you stand to make though, is on the mechanical work electric vehicles require over their lifetimes. The simplicity of electric motors, with around 20 moving parts, makes them far cheaper to maintain and repair than combustion engines, which have hundreds of components that can fail.
3. A more enjoyable driving experience
Electric cars are surprisingly good fun to drive. One of the first things you’ll notice when cruising around in your electric car is just how quiet and peaceful it is. The only sound you’ll be able to hear is the gentle whirring of the electric motor and Diana Ross pounding out of your sound system. But aside from the comfortable and peaceful driving experience, it’s the performance that’s really unexpected.
Electric cars are lighter than petrol and diesel vehicles and all of their power is generated immediately, so the acceleration from even large, family EVs can be surprising. Believe it or not, most electric cars on the market can do 0-60 mph in less than eight seconds, so you’ll be able to give most boy racers a run for their money.
But driving enjoyment is about more than just speed. The batteries of electric vehicles are often placed in the floor, which gives them a low centre of gravity and excellent balance and weight distribution. That allows you to glide effortlessly around corners and curves.
4. Higher resale values
Back to money again we’re afraid, but this is another EV benefit worth shouting about. With electric vehicles becoming increasingly popular and the ban of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030, most electric vehicles retain their value extremely well.
There are variations in how individual makes and models hold their value, but on the whole, new electric cars retain an average of 48.9% of their value after three years or 36,000 miles. That’s compared to 40% of the value of new petrol and diesel cars.
5. More space
Driving enjoyment and cost are not the only measures of a vehicle’s performance. If you’re looking for a family-friendly electric vehicle, then the good news is that many EVs tend to be more spacious than comparable petrol and diesel cars as there’s no engine to accommodate. That can improve comfort levels inside EVs and give you more of that all-important boot space.
6. Better infrastructure
You can be the proud owner of your own compact, all-weather home charging unit for an average cost of around £800. Throw in the government’s EV chargepoint grant, which covers up to £350 of your installation, and you’re looking at a little over £400 to plug in and charge your electric vehicle at home and benefit from off-peak charging rates.
There are also far more public charge points than there have ever been before. At the end of March 2022, there were more than 30,000 charge points with more than 50,000 connectors across 19,000 UK charging locations. The speed of those charge points is also increasing, with ultra-rapid chargers now able to charge most EVs to 80% in 20-30 minutes.
With so many benefits and the cost of petrol and diesel soaring, it’s little wonder that more people than ever before are now switching to electric vehicles. And importantly, charging electric vehicles has never been easier, which is making charging anxiety a thing of the past.
With the Bonnet app, you can access more than 30,000 charge points on the best charging networks across the UK and Europe. Just download Bonnet, find a charger, and pay for your charge all on the app. You’ll also get access to accurate, real-time data on each charge point.
And Why EV Sales Are Soaring
With everything that’s going on in the world right now, climate change has fallen away from the front pages and the list of the most-read stories on the news apps. But the good news is that despite taking a back seat when it comes to column inches, drivers are still making sustainable and environmentally responsible choices when it comes to buying new vehicles.
The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that despite new car registrations in the UK falling, sales of electric vehicles are going through the roof.
In March, which is the critical ‘new numberplate’ month for the automotive industry, electric vehicles had their best ever month for sales, with electric and hybrid vehicles accounting for one-in-three vehicle registrations. Sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs*) rose by 78%, with 39,315 more clean, quiet and sustainable EVs now zipping around the roads of the UK. Hybrids (HEVs) were also up by 28.4% to 27,737 units, with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) falling by 7.5%.
*Don’t know your BEVs from your PHEVs? Then take a look at our jargon buster for all the important EV charging terms.
The figures from the SMMT also gave us some interesting insights into the vehicles that are most popular with new car buyers. Amazingly, both of the best selling vehicles in March, regardless of fuel type, were electric vehicles. The Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3 pipped the Vauxhall Corsa and the Nissan Qashqai to the post - no doubt putting a big smile on old Elon’s face. And for the year to date, the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 are the sixth and seventh best sellers respectively.
There are all sorts of benefits associated with driving electric cars. Undoubtedly the biggest one is that they’re so much better for our planet. Battery electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, which makes them greener, cleaner and better for the environment than petrol and diesel cars. And as an EV does not emit any of the gases associated with global warming, it’s also a very effective way to reduce your carbon footprint.
But the environmental benefits are just one of the advantages that are persuading more and more people to buy electric vehicles. Here are a few of the others:
1. Low running costs
With petrol and just about everything else costing a fortune these days, it’s great to make a saving where you can. The BBC’s fuel cost calculator shows that it costs an average of £88.00 (wow) to fill the tank of a medium-sized car at the moment. That’s enough to make you feel a bit sick.
In comparison, it costs an average of around £15 to fully charge a typical electric car with a 60kWh battery and a 200-mile range. That’s a decent saving in anyone’s book. And some chargers are even free to use, with many workplaces providing free or low-cost charge points to employees and some local authorities installing free charge points in public car parks.
2. Low maintenance costs
We hate to go on about money, but given the cost of living crisis that’s hitting us hard at the moment, this is another benefit that’s worth shouting about. While the purchase price of an electric vehicle is marginally higher than a petrol or diesel vehicle, the ongoing maintenance costs are far lower.
For a start, there’s no road tax to pay, so that’ll save you a couple of hundred quid. On average, electric vehicles are also cheaper than petrol and diesel cars to insure. Probably the biggest maintenance saving you stand to make though, is on the mechanical work electric vehicles require over their lifetimes. The simplicity of electric motors, with around 20 moving parts, makes them far cheaper to maintain and repair than combustion engines, which have hundreds of components that can fail.
3. A more enjoyable driving experience
Electric cars are surprisingly good fun to drive. One of the first things you’ll notice when cruising around in your electric car is just how quiet and peaceful it is. The only sound you’ll be able to hear is the gentle whirring of the electric motor and Diana Ross pounding out of your sound system. But aside from the comfortable and peaceful driving experience, it’s the performance that’s really unexpected.
Electric cars are lighter than petrol and diesel vehicles and all of their power is generated immediately, so the acceleration from even large, family EVs can be surprising. Believe it or not, most electric cars on the market can do 0-60 mph in less than eight seconds, so you’ll be able to give most boy racers a run for their money.
But driving enjoyment is about more than just speed. The batteries of electric vehicles are often placed in the floor, which gives them a low centre of gravity and excellent balance and weight distribution. That allows you to glide effortlessly around corners and curves.
4. Higher resale values
Back to money again we’re afraid, but this is another EV benefit worth shouting about. With electric vehicles becoming increasingly popular and the ban of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030, most electric vehicles retain their value extremely well.
There are variations in how individual makes and models hold their value, but on the whole, new electric cars retain an average of 48.9% of their value after three years or 36,000 miles. That’s compared to 40% of the value of new petrol and diesel cars.
5. More space
Driving enjoyment and cost are not the only measures of a vehicle’s performance. If you’re looking for a family-friendly electric vehicle, then the good news is that many EVs tend to be more spacious than comparable petrol and diesel cars as there’s no engine to accommodate. That can improve comfort levels inside EVs and give you more of that all-important boot space.
6. Better infrastructure
You can be the proud owner of your own compact, all-weather home charging unit for an average cost of around £800. Throw in the government’s EV chargepoint grant, which covers up to £350 of your installation, and you’re looking at a little over £400 to plug in and charge your electric vehicle at home and benefit from off-peak charging rates.
There are also far more public charge points than there have ever been before. At the end of March 2022, there were more than 30,000 charge points with more than 50,000 connectors across 19,000 UK charging locations. The speed of those charge points is also increasing, with ultra-rapid chargers now able to charge most EVs to 80% in 20-30 minutes.
With so many benefits and the cost of petrol and diesel soaring, it’s little wonder that more people than ever before are now switching to electric vehicles. And importantly, charging electric vehicles has never been easier, which is making charging anxiety a thing of the past.
With the Bonnet app, you can access more than 30,000 charge points on the best charging networks across the UK and Europe. Just download Bonnet, find a charger, and pay for your charge all on the app. You’ll also get access to accurate, real-time data on each charge point.
