Electric Vehicles (EVs) are powered by energy from a built-in battery. The stored chemical energy in the battery is converted into electrical and mechanical energy in the electric motor which is used to drive the wheels.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are classified by the extent to which they use electricity as the energy source. There are 4 main types of EVs:

• BEVs or Battery Electric Vehicles have an electric motor that is powered only by batteries. BEVs do not have an internal combustion engine (ICE). BEVs are zero-emission and therefore do not have a tailpipe or exhaust pipe.
• PHEVs or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles contain a medium-sized battery to power the vehicle as well as conventional petrol or diesel ICE. ‘Plug-in’ denotes the fact that the car needs to be connected to a charging point to replenish the battery. PHEVs have a short driving range when using only electric power. Typically this is in the range of 10 to 50 miles depending on the make and model of PHEV.
• HEVs or Hybrid Electric Vehicles have a battery and conventional petrol or diesel engine. The battery cannot be plugged in for recharge and the battery is replenished using the generator powered by the ICE. HEVs typically use a battery up to speed to 15 to 20 mph. At higher speeds, the combustion engine powers the HEV.
• EREVs or Extended Range Electric Vehicles are battery-operated but their driving range can be extended by using an auxiliary power unit known as a range extender. The range extender is usually a small ICE that acts as a generator for the battery if it becomes depleted.

Most mainstream car manufacturers offer EVs with the Plug-in Hybrid being the most popular design. Carmakers and dealers include BMW, VW, Audi, Peugeot, Mini, Nissan, Tesla, Smart and Kia. As of December 2021, there are more than 200 EV models available with Tesla being the most popular vehicle maker by sales both in the USA and the UK. In 2021, 175,000 new EVs were registered in the UK representing a 66% increase compared to 2019. The popular Tesla Model 3 saw over 25,000 registrations. By the end of 2021, there were 365,000 BEVs and 340,000 PHEVs registered in the UK.

3 main considerations determine which is the best EV for you:

• Your access to charging points.
• Your estimated daily mileage.
• Your budget.

Unlike BEVs, PHEVs, HEVs and EREVs are less dependent on charging and are not electric-range limited, so access to charging points and your mileage are less important for these types of EVs. If you decide to go for a BEV, your maximum daily mileage will be limited to 150 to 200 miles per day. This limit can be doubled when your car is parked during the day and can be charged. If you are a regular commuter making trips on known routes of less than 10 miles, a BEV could be the right choice for you. If you drive more than 200 miles a day, you’d be better off purchasing a PHEV or EREV. Both these types of EVs offer a 500+ mile driving range using a mix of conventional fuel and electricity. Whichever type of EV you decide on, a test drive should be a prerequisite. Many uncertain potential buyers are swayed by the ease of driving, performance and refinement of EVs.

EVs are typically more expensive than their ICE equivalents that operate on either petrol or diesel. Also, as EVs have only been on the market since 2011, most are purchased as new vehicles. One of the most expensive components of an EV is the battery. But the rapid growth of the EV market has seen battery production costs decrease by 80% since 2017.

In terms of specific models, the cost depends on if you want a BEV or PHEV, your daily mileage, the range, the size of the vehicle and to what extent you want to minimise your impact on the environment. Some cars such as the popular Tesla Model 3 can cost from £42,500 to £59,000, depending on your desired range and performance level. The table shows some of the most popular EVs on the market, their prices, charging time and their environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions.

EV Make and Model Price Charging (hours) CO2 9g/km

Tesla Model 3 S £43,490 5.5 0

VW ID.3 Max Pro £41,220 8.5 0

Kia Xceed £30,695 3 32

Nissan Leaf Acenta £26,995 6 0

Renault Megane £29,495 2.5 28

Mini Countryman £37,450 3 40

MG ZS Excite £26,995 6.5 0

Vauxhall Grandland £34,365 2 29

Hyundai Tucson 1.6 £42,030 2 31

Ford Mustang Kuga £37,605 4 32

This link provides a comprehensive list of EVs available in the UK in 2022.

Historically, EVs cost 15% more to insure than their conventional counterparts although insurance premiums could be as much as 40% higher. The vehicle’s lithium-ion batteries are very expensive to repair and insurance providers factor this in when calculating premiums. However, the significant growth of the market, the increase in the number of EV insurers, an improved understanding of the technology and the fact that the UK government plans to ban the sale of petrol vehicles by 2030, has made EVs cheaper to insure. Here are 2 examples based on 2020 averages:

• Nissan Leaf BEV cost £394 versus Ford Fiesta costing £550
• Renault Zoe BEV cost £451 versus Vauxhall Corsa costing £776

The Tesla Model 3 is the most expensive EV to insure in the UK although prices are coming down. In 2019 the vehicle cost £1,464 on average to insure per annum. This had decreased to £1,223 in 2020.

Historically, EVs cost 15% more to insure than their conventional counterparts although insurance premiums could be as much as 40% higher. The vehicle’s lithium-ion batteries are very expensive to repair and insurance providers factor this in when calculating premiums. However, the significant growth of the market, the increase in the number of EV insurers, an improved understanding of the technology and the fact that the UK government plans to ban the sale of petrol vehicles by 2030, has made EVs cheaper to insure. Here are 2 examples based on 2020 averages:

• Nissan Leaf BEV cost £394 versus Ford Fiesta costing £550
• Renault Zoe BEV cost £451 versus Vauxhall Corsa costing £776

The Tesla Model 3 is the most expensive EV to insure in the UK although prices are coming down. In 2019 the vehicle cost £1,464 on average to insure per annum. This had decreased to £1,223 in 2020.

EVs typically have 2 pedals just like a conventional automatic car – an accelerator and a brake. However, EVs also offer the advantage of one-pedal braking in which the vehicle can be significantly slowed down by decreasing pressure on the accelerator or removing your foot from it completely. Easing your foot off the accelerator pedal produces a deceleration force equivalent to 20% of the full braking force. Once the car stops, the hydraulic brakes take over to ensure that the EV remains at a standstill. When you use one-pedal driving, the brake lights of the EV will illuminate as if you were using the traditional braking system. Standard hydraulic brakes are always used for emergency stopping. One-pedal braking increases your EV’s maximum driving range and also extends the brake life of the vehicle. Using the hydraulic brake less also means that less brake dust goes into the air and provides an environmental advantage. A further advantage is that the braking process is smoother since slowing down is controlled by a computer and not a human.

Driving an EV requires the same level of concentration and discipline as driving an ICE car – and accidents do happen. EVs also come with their own safety concerns and issues. Here are 3 of these:

• EVs are quiet which means that people cannot hear them coming, particularly those driving nosy ICE vehicles. The quietness also poses a potential danger to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. In the UK, it has been law for EVs travelling at 12 mph or less to emit an identifiable noise so that they can be heard.
• The lithium-ion batteries used in EVs cab overhead, catch fire and sometimes – although rarely – explode, sometimes even causing the EV to catch fire. The batteries are also small, this size also adds an element of risk to explosion. A lithium-ion battery can also be a hazard in the event of an accident, especially if the battery pack is located in the crumple zone of the EV. In April 2021, a lithium-ion battery fire occurred in a Tesla car crash in Houston, Texas; it took firefighters more than 4 hours and 130,000 litres of water to put out the blaze.
• Lithium-ion batteries can also be overcharged by using a defective regulator, alternator or the incorrect charger. Overcharging can result in overheating and even a fire. 

EVs are a new technology so this is potentially a difficult question to answer at this stage. EVs, as with their conventional counterparts, are subject to mechanical wear and tear, electrical malfunctions, sagging suspension and weathering from exposure to adverse conditions. The main concern is how long the battery of an EV will last. Currently, it is estimated that most EV batteries will last somewhere between 10 to 20 years before they need replacement. Batteries are designed to not die fully but to slowly lose charge capacity over time. Most EV makers offer a 5 to 10-year warranty on their batteries up to a distance of 62,000 miles driven. In the United States, Federal Law mandates EV manufacturers to warranty batteries for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Note that the average lifetime mileage of an ICE vehicle is about 133,000 miles while experts estimate that the average EV battery could last for approximately 200,000 miles or more.

For convenience, you can charge your EV at home providing that you have off-road parking like a driveway or garage. Don’t run a charging cord across the pavement. This is a tripping hazard and you’ll also be looking for trouble with your Local Authority. If you drive to work, your EV’s battery can also be charged in the parking area, providing that a charging point is available. As of September 2021, there were also more than 25,000 public-use charging devices visible on Zap-Map. Of these, almost 5,350 were free to use. The three areas in the UK with the highest number of free EV chargers are Scotland with 1,443, the Southeast with 684, and Yorkshire & the Humber with 509. Supermarkets have the greatest number of free EV devices, with 1,116. You’ll also find 763 free devices at public car parks, 547 at dealership forecourts, and 494 in retail car parks.

Some say that charging an EV is analogous to filling up an ICE vehicle at the local petrol station. It is – but much easier. You simply plug the vehicle in and leave it. If you are charging at home, it is possible to use a regular outlet but you won’t want to do this. Depending on your EV make and model, it could take up to 35 hours to reach full charge. It is best to install a wallbox charger, preferably a tethered one. This means that you can just pull your car up and plug in without the hassle of retrieving your car’s charging lead from the boot. A 7kW wallbox charger significantly reduces the charging time. For example, to charge a 2020 Kia Soul EV with a 3-pin plug takes 31 hours. With a wallbox charger, this is reduced to 9 hours and 35 minutes. Until April 2022, homeowners have access to the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), the UK government’s grant toward buying and installing a wallbox at home. The EVHS grant covers 75% of the cost, capped to a maximum of £350. House owners who want to take advantage of the grant while it is still open to them must have their installations completed by 31 March 2022 and a claim submitted to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) by 30 April 2022. Additionally, in order to get the wallbox grant, the wall charging unit has to be installed by a supplier approved by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). They will be able to claim for the grant on your behalf. With the EVHS grant applied, a 7kW charger costs between £500 and £700 including installation. If you are charging at work or use a public-access charging device, you only need to plug your EV in. Many public-use charging devices in the UK are free to use.

Embedded Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs) is the amount of CO2 produced when an EV, including its battery, is manufactured. To reduce the embedded GHG emissions when choosing an electric car, pick the smallest battery capacity that meets your needs. On average, a 33 kWh battery will be responsible for around 5 tonnes CO2 whereas a 100 kWh battery will be responsible for around 15 tonnes of CO2. If you need an electric car with a larger battery, consider carbon offsetting. 15 tonnes of CO2 costs approximately £110 to offset. Some EV manufacturers are investing in renewable energy at their manufacturing sites. This means that whilst the energy required to manufacture an electric car is still higher, the GHG emissions may not be. Try to pick a car from a manufacturer that is reducing embedded emissions and look for any information on the lifecycle emissions of the specific model you are interested in to make an informed decision.

A short answer to the question is yes but often this depends on the make and model of your EV. Some manufacturers like Tesla and Nissan allow you to upgrade to a more powerful battery. Changing your EV’s battery is something that you will not have to do often or maybe not at all. Experts estimate that the average EV battery could last for approximately 200,000 miles or more. Tesla, Toyota and Nissan warrant that their batteries will last for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Remember that the battery of an electric car is the most expensive component and costs £4,560 on average.

An EV battery will never die instantly. Just like that of a smartphone, the battery life degrades over time and loses charging capacity. There are signs that your EV battery may need replacing and these include a dashboard warning symbol and electrical issues such as lights dimming and loss of electrical power to your heaters.

• There are many benefits in owning an EV and these include:
• Lower running costs include paying less for fuel and on maintenance.
• The total cost of ownership is less than that of petrol and diesel ICE vehicles.
• In the case of BEVs, the vehicle has zero tailpipe CO2, NOx and particulate emissions at all times.
• When battery-driven, PHEVs and EREVs also have zero exhaust emissions.
• HEVs have excellent efficiency in towns and cities, regenerative braking recharges the batteries, and are cheaper than BEVs and PHEVs. You don’t need to plug your HEV in.
• EVs are believed to offer a better driving experience than ICE vehicles.
• You can get a grant of up to £1,500 when buying certain EV or low-emission makes and models.
• Until 31 March 2022, you can get government support through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) that pays 75% towards the cost and installation of a homecharge unit, up to a maximum of £350.
• BEVs are exempt from UK road tax. PHEVs are subject to modest Vehicle Excise Duty and any plug-in hybrids that cost £40,000 or more are subject to pay an annual supplement for 5 years. This starts from the second time the vehicle is taxed.
• EVs are seen as a key solution to improve global air quality.

• No technology is perfect so there are also some disadvantages of owning and operating an EV. These include:
• EVs are relatively expensive to buy compared to ICE vehicles.
• Charging times are long compared to filling up with petrol or diesel.
• The limited number of charging points could be an issue with you are away from home or don’t have a homecharge setup.
• The weight of the battery affects the overall efficiency of PHEVs.
• EREVs have a shortened range compared to BEVs and the weight of the engine reduces overall efficiency. 

• A purchase grant entitles you to a 35% discount on the purchase price for EVs with zero tailpipe CO2 emissions and that can travel at least 70 miles without any emissions at all, up to a maximum of £1,500.
• BEVs are exempt from UK road tax.
• Until 31 March 2022, you can get government support through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) that pays 75% towards the cost and installation of a homecharge unit, up to a maximum of £350.
• You are exempt from the London Congestion Charge.
• You can access clean air zones for free including the London Ultra Low Emission Zone.

• An exceptionally low benefit-in-kind (BiK) rate of 1% for EVs for the 2021/2022 tax year. This means you have a limited tax liability when buying an EV as opposed to an ICE vehicle. 
• EVs have significantly lower running costs compared to ICE vehicles.
• The whole-life cost of an EV is much less than that of owning a conventional ICE vehicle.
• If an EV is purchased on a hire purchase agreement, a business would be able to claim 100% capital allowances.
• You can still claim the government-approved mileage allowance for an EV even though you are not using petrol. These are the current rates.
• You showcase your business as being environmentally conscious and supporting green initiatives – an essential CSR component in today’s market.
• With the EV market booming and the UK planning to halt to production of ICE vehicles in 2030 you demonstrate your willingness to change and gain a competitive advantage.

Considering Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, EVs require more energy to manufacture than ICE vehicles and so on average have higher embedded GHG emissions. However, even when using UK grid electricity to recharge the EV, this is more than offset during the vehicle’s use. Typically, an EV will produce approximately 30% to 50% less GHG emissions than an ICE equivalent when manufacture, use, and disposal are all taken into account. Using renewable electricity to recharge reduce emissions even more.

The UK electricity grid is rapidly reducing its GHG emissions. Every kWh of electricity now emits around 60% less Greenhouse Gas (GHG) than it did in 2008. This is mainly due to coal being phased out and an increase in the use of natural gas and renewable energy. The electricity grid is planning to reduce GHG further which means the GHG emissions associated with recharging electric cars in the UK reduces every year. The same cannot be said for ICE vehicles.

BEVs or pure electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions and so have zero impact on local air quality. By extension, PHEVs and EREVs, which are partially electric, have a much lower impact on air quality than ICE vehicles. While reducing CO2 emissions is important, those of much greater concern are Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Particulate Matter (PM). Electric cars eliminate NOx emissions completely at the point of use. Approximately 50% of PMs from a modern Euro 6 ICE vehicle come from non-exhaust emissions. These PMs are produced from tyre wear, brake wear, clutch wear and wearing of the road surface. EVs do produce non-exhaust emissions but may reduce them due to regenerative braking technology that reduces brake wear. Some EVs also use harder wearing low rolling resistance tyres which may reduce tyre PMs.

In November 2020 as part of the UK Government’s 10 point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, the Prime Minister announced that the sale of new cars would be banned in 2030. By 2035, all new vehicles will be EVs with zero-emission with HEVs, PHEVs, and EREVs being phased out. From 2024, targets for zero-emission EV sales will be introduced. By 2040, all new Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) will be zero-emission. The UK government has also announced a target of ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

In 2021, the European Commission proposed a 55% cut in CO2 emissions from cars by 2030, reaching a 100% reduction by 2035. From that year, the sale of all ICE vehicles will be banned in the EU. The EU also plans to have 3.5 million public charging stations for EVs by 2030, increasing to 16.3 million by 2050. Like the UK, the EU aims for climate neutrality by 2050.