The move to electric vehicles may seem daunting with the amount of choice out there, but choosing the right electric car for your lifestyle needn’t be a huge task. Here, we break down the things you should consider when buying an electric vehicle - how often will you be driving it? How far will you be driving it? Do you have access to charging point? Whilst there are things to look at before choosing an EV, we can make it easy for you to buy the ideal car that fits right into your lifestyle.
Why should you consider an electric vehicle?
With the switch to electric looming over us and the certainty of an electric future increasing everyday, buying an electric car can seem like a bit of a minefield. With so many options and a limited understanding of how they work, it can very quickly become confusing and overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be - you could be one of the many joining the EV revolution, with 315,000 new electric cars registered in 2023. As we look towards a more sustainable future, all manufacturers of ICE cars will cease production of petrol and diesel cars in 2035, making EVs a lot more attractive and affordable.
Consider what type of electric car you want
When transitioning to electric, there are a few options to consider whether you want to go fully electric or consider a hybrid (electric and fuel):
Battery electric car (BEV)
A BEV is your typical, fully electric car. It is powered 100% by the battery, storing and releasing energy to power the motor. If you’re looking to be extra sustainable, these cars can be charged with renewable energy such as wind, solar, hybrid or biomass. The range that an EV can do depends on the brand of car - as a general estimate, most EVs are capable of a range of 250 miles or more in a single charge. How many times you need to charge your car depends on the usage, but typically, the average driver doesn’t drive for more than 20 miles a day - this gives you plenty of travel time before you need to recharge. Worried about how far you can go? Take a look at our handy guide on how to overcome range anxiety.
Hybrid cars (PHEV)
Hybrid vehicles use a combination of an electric motor and a combustion engine to drive. These are a less sustainable version of the electric car, but are ideal for those who aren’t yet convinced on turning fully electric. Some hybrids are different to others - plug-in hybrids can be recharged by being plugged in (as the name suggests), whilst full hybrids are recharged during driving and braking. If you need to decide between hybrid and fully electric, we would advise against choosing a hybrid if you intend to use the car to commute or for regular, long-haul journeys - the efficiency of a hybrid is dramatically increased and you would end up spending a lot more fuel than you would with a regular petrol or diesel.
Purchasing an electric vehicle
If you’d like to buy an electric car and are worried about finances, there are several ways you can do so that allow you to be sustainable without breaking the bank:
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) is a finance method where you pay off the car’s depreciation. This is the difference between what the car is worth when you purchase it and what it’s worth at the end of the contract. This option allows you three choices at the end of your contract:
- You return the car to the provider
- You can pay the resale value and keep the car
- You can use the resale value and exchange that car for a new one
Before you can be accepted for PCP, you may need to undergo a credit check to prove that you are able to make the payments. A PCP contract can run for up to 4 years, so being able to pay these back is paramount. If you don’t think you can repay the money every month, you may need to consider another option.
Hire purchase (HP)
Hire purchase (HP)allows you to pay the overall price of the car in monthly instalments. It’s very similar to taking out a loan at the bank and it is one of the simplest ways of affording a car. You will usually have to pay a 10% deposit upfront and then you and the dealership (or broker if you prefer) will agree a period of time that you make the payments over.
You need to be made aware that the car is officially under your ownership until you have paid the full price of the car. If you miss one of your monthly payments, you risk the car being taken away from you. This type of financing is better for new electric vehicles, as the rates will be better - these will also be fixed for as long as you have the loan, so you don’t need to worry about costs increasing through the months.
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
Personal Contract Hire (PCH) is ideal for those who know they don’t want to own an electric car. With this option, you’ll need to pass a credit check to ensure that you can make the monthly payments. You’ll pay a deposit, pay monthly instalments and then give the car back at the end of the contract. This finance option restricts you to a certain mileage and if you go beyond this, you’ll have to pay a fee. Car tax is included in the cost of the contract, so all you’ll need to pay for is recharging, maintenance and insurance. Whilst general wear and tear is allowed, anything beyond this will be charged.
Buying the car outright
If you don’t want to worry about paying money back over a period of time, then you always have the option to buy the car outright. This means the car is owned by you immediately after a singular payment. This method means that you needn’t worry about missed payments or any interest accrued - it works out a lot cheaper in the long run. If you’re thinking of buying a car in full, you would just need to have all of the money available and ready to go.
What to consider when buying an electric car
The type of vehicle you choose depends on how you intend to drive it. For example, if you’re a commuter, you’ll need a vehicle that can travel the distance on a single charge. Whilst most models have a range of 250 miles, some higher end models offer a range of 300+ miles, meaning there is no need for range anxiety. However, if you do travel far and wide, you’ll need to consider regular stops to allow your car to recharge.
Something else you’ll need to consider is where you can charge your car. Many places offer charging stations nowadays, such as supermarkets, service stations and even some workplaces. This has made it even easier for people to consider an EV - instead of having to travel to the fuel station after work or during lunch, you can recharge your vehicle whilst you’re working or doing the shopping. For those doing longer trips, fast charging can be more convenient, but for those who do smaller trips, fast charging can be expensive.
Find your electric car with Swansway
Overall, owning an EV is a cheaper and cleaner option than your typical ICE car and will offer just as much, if not more. Browse through our electric vehicles today to find the perfect car to suit your lifestyle. If you’re still concerned about the switch to electric, take a look at our EV guides on YouTube to understand more about the myths and facts of EV ownership. If you’re unsure what you're looking for or would like more information about one of the vehicles you see on our website, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team and we’d be happy to help you. You can also take a look at how to maximise your vehicle range.