Electric cars are becoming more attractive and popular among UK drivers, thanks to the soaring oil and gas prices. Sales for electric vehicles hit a new record in 2020, with 59,945 EVs registered. This rise comes ahead of the government’s ban on new petrol and diesel cars, coming into force in 2030.
According to climate charity Possible, EV’s are still trumped by e-bikes in the green transport stakes besides public transport, walking and regular biking. Stil, there are a number of environmental benefits to switching your petrol-powered one to an electric one, especially when it’s second-hand.
“It’s encouraging to see more used car buyers snapping up low-emission vehicles as supply grows – but those sales remain low as an overall proportion of the market,” says The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) CEO, Mike Hawes. “We still need the right policies and incentives from government to give new car buyers confidence to choose the cleanest petrol, diesel and electric models that best suit their needs.”
Currently nearly three used cars are being sold for every new vehicle in the UK. A survey by Motorparks has found that three quarters of UK drivers would buy a used electric car. Buying a second-hand electric car has many benefits, including saving money. At present, factory warranties are longer, so longevity is better than it was in the past. It’s also possible to pick up a high-spec used EV.
Air pollutants from EVs are very low when compared to petrol or diesel cars. Particle release still occurs from tyre wear and braking, but there are no nitrogen oxide emissions. Thanks to advances in technology, battery packs are lasting much longer too, which makes buying second-hand a safe option. Experts claim that an electric car battery won’t need to be replaced for 10 to 20 years, and can cover around 150,000 miles in its lifetime.
The ban on fossil-fuel models in 2030 will certainly drive an increase in used sales.
