Electric Cars – The pros and cons - John Macadam & son

You could say ‘electric cars’ has been the buzz phrase of the motoring world this past year. As we’ve seen electric charging stations pop up at stations across the UK, we’re going to look a little deeper into the pros and cons of electric cars.  

Electric cars are quiet, clean and kind to the environment. But that’s not all… 

• They have zero emissions. Completely powered by electricity, they’re a lot better for our world. However, it’s important to consider the fact that the electricity comes from the National Grid which uses electricity harnessed from gas, nuclear, and coal. 
• No fuel! A huge appeal for electric cars is the way you can charge up at home. You can also save over £1000 a year.  

• Less maintenance. Electric cars have fewer moving parts than cars with an engine, eliminating the need for oil changes and more. 
• Tax = no problem! Most electric cars are tax free, saving another £100-200 a year. 

So, there’s the pros – now what about the cons? 

• Planning power – you probably can’t be as spontaneous with an electric car. Although charging points are becoming more popular, you can’t always guarantee the range between them. 
• They’re silent! But is this a good thing? Many people have pointed out the dangerous element to this, such as pedestrians not hearing you approaching. 

• Time…Charging your car is nowhere near as quick as filling up with petrol so again, planning is essential if you have a busy lifestyle.  
• Purchase price – electric cars are inherently more expensive than a traditional petrol and diesel cars. You may make this back in the money you’d save…but it’s still a bigger upfront cost. 

Do you have an electric car? We want to hear what you think! Let us know over on our Facebook page.