Conscious Driving: Why Going Electric is the Way Forward

The future is electric; there are no doubts about it. With fossil fuels depleting, and more pressure than ever before on global governments to put in measures to prevent further damage to our planet, the race is on to reduce emissions the world over.

But what does that mean for you? Just the idea of switching your car right now might not be financially viable for one thing. Then there are other details to consider, such as charging points, range and what type of electric vehicle (EV) would suit your lifestyle best.

Conscious driving is a way of life. Just like you recycle, reduce your water usage and perhaps favour walking, cycling or public transport for your commute to work. With the motor industry focused on transforming the way we drive, here’s why going electric is the way forward:

A rapidly changing industry

The electric race is in full swing, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. With big industry giants such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and of course, Tesla raising the bar high, there will soon come a time where buying a traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) will be nigh on impossible outside of the used car market.

Back in March 2021, Volkswagen announced by 2030, 70% of its entire European vehicle sales would be battery electric. Following this, the revered investment bank UBS weighed in on the situation by predicting “the end of the ICE age” with “global new cars would be 20% (minus a few plug-in hybrids) electric in 2025 and 50% by 2030 (4% plug-in hybrids). “100% by 2040.”

In short, this is the most significant change the automotive industry has seen. The rules are changing. The way we consume cars is changing. Are you ready to climb on board?

Low emission zones

Then you need to consider government intervention, where sooner or later, it will be ‘impossible for consumers to buy traditional cars..’ With low emissions zones deterring non-compliant vehicles from entering cities worldwide with extra zonal taxes to pay, from London to Tokyo, Beijing to Rotterdam, the cost of owning anything other than an electric vehicle (EV) is quickly taking its toll on drivers.

Essentially, all vehicles other than pure electric emit various pollutants into the atmosphere, including CO2 and NOx. In heavy motor zones, the impact on the environment is staggering, and that’s before you take into account the negative consequences on quality of life. Everything from minimising lung development to reduced life expectancy are all factors.

If we zoom in on the highly successful world-first Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London, before the scheme was introduced back in 2019, the city has reached illegal levels of NO2. The answer came by restricting access to the biggest culprits - high pollutant vehicles. Since then, ULEZ has achieved a 44% reduction in NO2 levels within the area. With the boundary expanding to the North and South Circular roads from October 2021, the figures are likely to continue to fall.

Accessible electric

While there is an undeniable shift in the industry’s focus, what do you need to know about EVs ahead of purchase?

Well, you need to think about what you need one for. Are you a long-distance driver? Do you use a car primarily for commuting? Lifestyle? Or simply to get around at all hours of the day?

What’s more, range anxiety is real. With limitations of how far a battery can go before needing a recharge, it’s no surprise. However, EV technology is rapidly changing. With some makes and models reaching over 400 miles on one charge, that’s more than enough to get you across the country and back before needing to hook up your car to a power source.

Then there’s infrastructure to consider. While currently, charging points may only be available at your local petrol station, supermarket or office, this is set to change too. With the added pressure to make the switch and some households without the means of an at-home charging point, the infrastructure needs to be in place to cope with demand.

Considering finance

Electric vehicles (EVs) are typically pricier than their ICE counterparts, but in the long term, they are considerably cheaper to run, especially if you are charging overnight when electricity prices tend to be lower than in the day.

But, having the upfront funds to buy a new car, regardless of its engine status, is often hard to come by. That’s why, over the years, car financing has become the number one way to purchase a new vehicle.

Arranging finance in advance will ensure you get the best deal on your car. Spreading the cost with smaller, affordable monthly payments makes this the easiest and most manageable way to get a car.

Plus, there are many incentives to switch to an EV, such as:

• £2,500 Plug-in grant in the UK towards EVs up to £35k
• Clean Car Discount in New Zealand - works as a cash rebate when buying electric or hybrid cars
• Clean Vehicle Rebate Project and Clean Fuel Reward programme in California
• Extensive regulatory incentives in China - the world’s largest EV market!

But the perks of car financing don’t stop there. Whether you lease, hire or aim to own the car outright at the end of your fixed term, typically, you can expect to have an extensive warranty and servicing package included.

Conscious driving

Whether you make the switch to an EV today or bide your time, there will come the point where your only option left is to go electric. With low to no tailpipe emissions, the environmental impacts of EV driving will quickly make a difference with the increase in uptake around the globe.

With added taxes, inner-city fees and fuel prices on the rise, electric just makes sense. As infrastructure expands to cope with the demand and battery tech improves, some really exciting motors are coming to a dealership near you.

Are you ready to make the switch? With the world set on a course for electric, there’s no turning back now. From Tesla to Nissan, BMW to Volkswagen, what EV will you snap up next?