MOTORING Family run business established in 2002
Specialists in vehicle preparation and refurbishment including paintless dent removal
Are we ready for an electric revolution?
As the government announces plans to bring the ban of new petrol and diesel cars forward from 2040 to 2035, is 15 years really enough time to ensure an increased use of electric vehicles on our roads is viable for the masses?
Minor to full crash repairs Paintless dent removal Exterior paint protection Glass replacement Interior trim repairs Air conditioning regas
Front/rear sensor fitting Services
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Wheel refurbishment or colour change
The Net Zero Policy may seem like a step in the right direction to address climate change, drive down emissions and improve air quality. But when looking to the future of electric vehicles, the average motorist may have some concerns about driving into the unknown.
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THE FITZWILLIAM ARMS
PARKGATE ROUNDABOUT
DFS JEWSON 22 Stadium Court,
Barbot Hall Industrial Estate, Rotherham S62 6EW
Tel 01709 374443
Sheffield Road, Chesterfield S41 8NQ Tel 01246 450012
www.cosmeticrepair.co.uk 80
aroundtownmagazine.co.uk
OUR ROTHERHAM BRANCH
Electric-powered cars are still an expensive technology to manufacture, mainly due to battery production which is facing shortages, too. Supply issues will only worsen as demand increases. These inflated costs are passed down to consumers, meaning the average electric car is considerably more expensive to buy than its petrol and diesel counterparts. Although sales of electric cars in the UK are increasing year on year, up almost 3,000 from the previous year to 4,054 sold in January 2020, their high ticket price means they account for a small proportion of overall new car sales – almost 150,000 in January this year. As the ban approaches, where will we find the electricity to power all these vehicles? The current charging infrastructure is inadequate, with new power stations needing building and an improvement of the grid to achieve the predicted double capacity of our entire electricity supply by 2050.
Around 40 percent of the current charging points are in London and the South East, so much investment is needed up north to attract the city dwellers who make short journeys which electric vehicles are currently marketed at. And then only two thirds of us have
driveways or off-road parking to charge at home.
One of the main concerns facing drivers is what’s being called ‘range anxiety’ or the fear of the battery cutting out mid-journey. With public charging points not as prevalent as petrol stations – and charging times far slower than filling up the tank – this is exasperated when most entry-level and affordable electric models only have a range of around 150 miles per charge. Without going into the Tesla or supercar market where ranges are double that, those who make regular 80-mile journeys may not see the benefit of owning an electric car due to the long process of stopping to recharge while travelling the length of the country.
However, if your daily commute is less, there are many positives to driving an electric car such as the cheaper running costs. Per mile, it is thought an electric car costs 2p to run compared to 15p of diesel and petrol cars. Also, as there are fewer moving parts and components than a combustion engine, with no gear boxes, spark plugs or oil changes, service needs are reduced (up to 25,000 miles) and there are less things likely to go wrong, resulting in cheaper maintenance.
Of course, this depends on how
savvy you are. Electric car batteries need pre-warming to perform at the optimum level so making sure your overnight charge finishes close to the time you need to leave means it will already be warm. Similarly, in cold weather, range reduces by up to 50 percent and charging is slower, so pre-heating the car cabin while its still plugged in can help retain battery life. With no emissions and no fossil fuel needed, electric cars are currently exempt from road tax and fuel duty. But this brings in around £30million income for the government - more than alcohol and tobacco duty, inheritance tax, and stamp duty. Would this shortfall mean a rise in tax to invest in a scheme to make electric driving accessible for all?
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