Got a question about buying an EV? Never fear, as Steve Cropley has the answers. So read on to find out just how eco-friendly an electric car really is, whether you need to worry about range and much more.
EV guide part one: every electric car rated | EV guide part two: how to buy a used electric car
Is it true that the total cost of an EV is currently greater than of an equivalent petrol or diesel car?
Yes, mostly due to the high initial cost of the vehicle. The entry-level Volkswagen ID 3 costs around £37,000; an equivalent 1.0-litre turbo petrol Golf undercut that by around £12,000. But it has to be remembered that the resale prices of EVs are high now and likely to remain so, while the pricing gap between the ICE and EV is narrowing all the time.
Meanwhile, the fuelling costs of an EV are substantially lower. EDF Energy says that, based on an average electricity cost of 34p per kWh, a Nissan Leaf or a Kia e-Niro costs about £9 per 100 miles, compared with more like £14 per 100 miles for a 40mpg petrol equivalent. In a 12,000-mile year, assuming no further hikes in tariffs, that puts the cost of the electric ID3 at a shade over £1,000, whereas the petrol Volkswagen Golf will cost more like £1750.
On top of that, you save big time on company car tax, road tax and, if you’re a Londoner, the ULEZ fee and the congestion charge (just raised from £11.50 per visit to £15). Tesla says that for inner-city commuting, this amounts to £576 per month, or an enormous £27,627 over four years.
Batteries degrade, don't they? If so, how quickly?
The jury is still out on this one, but the general feeling is that automotive traction batteries degrade slower than owners and manufacturers initially feared. Some early, high-mileage Nissan Leafs and Renault Zoes are showing battery degradation, but later cars are resisting this better. Many regular users are pleasantly surprised. Having said that, the battery is the most expensive component in any current EV, and if it were to need replacing after eight or 10 years, it’s doubtful that the car would justify an investment of up to £5000 to £10,000. There are ways of prolonging battery life – such as not fully charging every time – which help.
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Tesla new battery cost? Apparently a tesla owner had to replace his battery after only 9 years and it cost him a whopping £17,000!!!!!!!! Yes that is right £17,000 I will never buy an EV until they can match my diesel Seat Leon. 70 mpg and zero road tax brilliant
EV bla EV bla bla bla!
Man, I am bored of all this EV crap. five out of nine headlines on this website all EV related.....and for what over priced (pseudo) green tech - flawed tech which has a short shelf life as a mode of transport. Ugly, vomit inducing, freaky looking milk carts which have all the carisma/desirability of a washing machine.
I just dont get it....never will. I dont care if that makes me a dinosaur or out of step, I am (and always will be) a petrolhead and V8 fanatic. My chosen method of transport in a free world. I dont get i phones either - overpriced re marketed junk!
Agreed EVs are nowhere near being a viable alternative for the vast majority of us. Real drivers will never buy this impractical, overpriced, milk floats.
Zap-map has proved so desperately inaccurate . .
. . . that I've given up using it.
In any case, Tesla Superchargers are all I need. Other EV manufacturers may be catching up slightly with Tesla's efficiency ratios but the charging networks their cars use remain at least five years behind Tesla's.
And Steve, if you accept that whole life cost is the only correct metric, and apply that, the Tesla Model 3 is cheaper to own and run than any equivalent ICE-engined vehicles.
Did you factor in the replacement battery cost? If you didn't then be ready for a £17,000 bill after about nine years use.