Why the future of transport is electric
Source: Hyundai Motor Group (Unsplash)
In the last few years, the world of transportation has experienced the start of the electric revolution. Sparked by concerns of poor air quality (therefore an increase in health issues), climate change and the need for sustainable solutions, the demand for electric cars has gained momentum.
What does the electric car world currently look like?
Demand for electric vehicles has seen a steady increase in popularity since 2020 when the revolution really took off. As of February 2023, two out of every five cars manufactured were electric! Today, there are more fuel type options available than your typical petrol or diesel cars. There are now greener alternatives such as: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs) and, of course our specialty - Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). According to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), in April 2023, fully electric cars were the second most popular fuel type, with petrol vehicles being the number 1, so EV’s still have a bit of a way to go.
The charging infrastructure has also seen a major improvement in recent years, with new funding being announced to be allocated to areas that are currently behind on charging point installations.
In 2016, only 0.4% of all new vehicles in the UK were electric, by the end of 2022, new electric car registrations had risen to 16.6%. This number is projected to increase in the coming years, bringing the UK closer to the goal of being net zero by 2050.
There are many reasons that electric cars are becoming more common, the advancements in technology being a key one. Car manufacturers are now making their vehicles a lot more advanced all while keeping some of the comforts you are used to in your typical petrol or diesel car.
Let’s take a look at some of the latest advancements in the electric car industry.
Battery technology has come a long way
Gone are the days where an electric car had a maximum range of 100 miles - bye bye range anxiety! Today, the average electric vehicle has a range of around 212 miles before you need a recharge. That's pretty decent, but let's be honest, who wouldn’t want more mileage? To increase the range, you'd typically need a bigger battery, and no one wants to lug around a massive battery pack. But fear not! Scientists and researchers are on the case.
They're diving into all the factors that affect an EV's range and figuring out how to counteract them. It's like they're playing a game of range-extending Tetris! Their goal is to find ingenious ways to give you more range without resorting to a battery the size of a small elephant. So, soon enough, you'll be zooming down the road, leaving range anxiety in the rearview mirror. EVs of the future will have longer legs, and you won't have to break your back to get those extra miles. Fun times ahead for electric car enthusiasts!!
Last but not the least, another very cool battery that is creating a buzz at the moment are the Solid State Batteries. This is an advanced energy storage device that replaces the liquid electrolyte in traditional batteries with a solid material, hence the name! The design offers improved safety, higher energy density, and faster charging capabilities, making it a promising technology for electric vehicles.These batteries help to eliminate the risk of leakage and thermal runaway that is associated with liquid electrolytes, making them safer to use and reducing the chances of battery fires.
Innovation means there is now more the an EV than just a mode of transport - it is now about the experience
It is no secret that the technology around electric car features is evolving, with electric car brands striving to make their cars more superior to their competition. Electric cars are so new that there are likely more questions on brand loyalty - those die hard BMW fans may look to a Tesla or Polestar for their next car.
Our point is, there is a lot more pressure to stand out since there are so many more options to consider other than just looking for an upgrade.
BMW iX intelligence panel
Source: CarBuzz
There are more subtle innovations like the BMW iX intelligence panel, an adaptation of the grille from petrol and diesel BMWs.
BMW kept the grille on their electric cars even though they were not necessary, petrol and diesel cousins featured a grille to vent the internal combustion engine but as the iX is pure electric and therefore runs on a battery, the BMW gave it another purpose - an intelligence panel.
The electric BMW has an intelligence panel grille which stores a combination of sensors to enhance the driving experience. It also has a self-healing feature which will heal any scratches in a warm environment keeping the car looking shiny and new – just how BMW drivers like it!
Audi virtual exterior mirrors
Source: Car Magazine
Audi Q8 e-tron has a new feature that is popping up on other electric cars – virtual mirrors. The cameras are positioned on either side of the car, exactly where you would usually find a mirror! What is the point of this you ask? To provide a more detailed view of the driver's surroundings, and help the driver become more aware of their surroundings.
Hyundai e-Corner system
When it comes to electric vehicles, there's already an impressive array of cutting-edge technologies, and there's even more on the horizon. One such innovation that's revolutionising EV manoeuvrability is the Hyundai e-corner System, particularly its “Crab Mode”.
The Crab mode, which is part of the e-corner System, brings a whole new level of convenience to parking in crowded/tight areas. Imagine effortlessly sliding into parallel
parking spaces and effortlessly manoeuvring out of tight spots that used to be the stuff of nightmares!
As electric vehicles continue to evolve, technologies like the e-corner System and its Crab Mode feature will definitely showcase the ongoing commitment to providing evolving innovative solutions that enhance the overall driving experience.
Major plans announced for the UK’s charging infrastructure
Range anxiety, although it is now less common than it used to be, is still around when it comes to public charge points. The fear of running out of battery on the road and not being able to find a charging point can be daunting. However, good news there are currently 24,000 charger locations across the UK and this number is increasing rapidly due to demand and growth in the electric car market.
According to Zapmap, 2080 new chargers were added last month alone, bringing the total number of charge points to 40,566 as of the end of April 2023. This is a 37% increase from the previous year. In February 2023, the Department of Transport announced that £56 million would be allocated to go towards installing charging stations in areas that require better charging networks, this is a promising sign that the infrastructure for electric vehicles is continuously improving.
Car manufacturers are constantly listening to drivers' concerns on switching to greener alternatives and working on innovations such as the BMW iX intelligence panel and Audi’s virtual mirrors. There is also a lot of new technology to come, for example Hyundai’s new e-Corner system which should be available in 2025.
What we are trying to say here is that electric cars are becoming popular and very fast too, and with the concerns around poor air quality and the need to improve our sustainable efforts, this is welcomed news.
When EVs first came around, the range could only get you to the local shop and back, this sparked a lot of range anxiety in drivers, especially with the lack of public charging points if you needed a charge for a longer journey. There were also a lot of concerns around all the new technology that came with electric cars which has only gotten more advanced over the years.
With The Electric Car Scheme, you can drive into the future sooner than you think thanks to salary sacrifice.
Thanks to an employee benefit such as ours, the employer is able to lease an electric car on behalf of their employee. In exchange, the employee agrees to pay the cost of the lease using their gross pay.
As they will have this car for personal use, HMRC consider it a ‘perk’ and therefore require a Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax to be paid. It is currently at 2% until 2025.
To find out more about how electric car salary sacrifice can help you save 20-50% on any electric car, book a call with one of our Specialists.
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