Busting myths about electric cars (Part 2) ⚡
There are some common, false preconceived notions many people have with regards to electric cars - and in this blog post, we are going to address them.
We recommend reading the article ‘Common misconceptions about electric vehicles’ by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) for further details. Here’s Part 2 (You can read Part 1 here).
This image is sourced from A Wheel Thing
1. Charging an electric car takes too long…
Most of a driver's charging needs can be met overnight when they are sleeping - at night simply put your car on charge and when you wake up ready to start your day - your car is fully charged and ready to go as well!
Some newer cars can charge so rapidly that a 20 minutes of charging can provide you a range of 200 miles. The charge times are going to get quicker and quicker as the technology and R&D surrounding electric car’s improves - this is primed to happen within the next few years.
This image is sourced from LeasePlan
2. Charging is difficult except for people with access to off-street parking
The government is working to ensure that limited access to off-street parking doesn’t disincentivise people looking to buy an electric car, and have hence introduced grants, schemes and investments to curb this issue.
Firstly, On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) has made £20 million available to support 150 local authorities in the UK which will help fund 11,000 new chargers to residents who don’t have off-street access.
Also, back in March 2022, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles announced the LEVI fund which will give residents with no off-street parking, access to £450 million - the first round of applications closed on 17th of June 2022, so you should keep an eye out for when applications open again.
Furthermore, the £950 million Rapid Charging Fund (RCF) will flood motorways and major-A roads with rapid charge points - not to mention the fact that the government has also supported the installation of 26,000 workplace chargers.
This image is sourced from SiliconRepublic
3. All the different apps and connectors make things confusing and complicated
With regards to apps - the government will be introducing legislation by the end of this year (2022) which will result in the standardisation of the charging network and will mandate chargepoint providers to provide drivers with access to the chargers without the need of downloading a specific app every time.
Additionally, back in 2017, the government passed a law which meant that all new public chargers being built must use standard plugs - meaning that almost every car will be able to be charged on them.
This image is sourced from Solar Power Portal
4. The grid will not be able to cope if everyone switches to electric cars
Ofgem is confident that the increased demand for electricity that will come with the electrification of vehicle fleets will not disrupt the UK’s electricity supply and grid.
Also with the increasing development of smart charge technology, this will mean that electric car charging will take place more at times when demand for electricity is lower, for example at night when people are sleeping - which will reduce pressures on the grid.
How can I save 30-60% on an electric car? With salary sacrifice
An electric car salary sacrifice is an employee benefit offered to help more employees get behind the wheel of an EV at a more affordable price. With more clean air zones and the expanding Ultra Low Emission Zone coming, electric cars are becoming increasingly popular.
How does it work?
Instead of leasing an electric car the usual way, the employer will lease the electric car on the employee’s behalf. In return, the employee agrees to sacrifice a portion of their salary. The reason employees are able to receive 30-60% on an electric car is because they pay for the salary sacrifice car using their gross salary (before tax) unlike a lease which they would pay out of their net salary (after tax).
As a car from The Electric Car Scheme is considered a “company car”, the employee is subject to a benefit in kind (BIK) tax, this is currently set at 2% and according to the Autumn Statement, it is not due to change till 2025. This tax is incorporated into your quote with The Electric Car Scheme.
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