Electric cars are becoming more popular all of the time. Cities are introducing clean air incentives, some allow electric cars to use bus lanes, and for many, grants are available to encourage more of us to ditch the gas guzzlers in favour of a more environmentally friendly alternative.
But when you’ve got a young family, there are more considerations. Yes, you want a car that’s good for the planet. But you also need to think about upfront expenses, how far you’ll be able to drive, and whether an electric car is really the right choice for your family.
With the cost of living so high, many of us are reluctant to make big purchases unless we have to. But with fuel costs being so high, if you do need a new car, or it’s something you were going to be thinking about soon, this could be the perfect time to go for it.
Here’s a look at 12 of the reasons an electric car could be right for your family.
They’re Almost Silent
Electric cars are incredibly quiet. For a family, this can be great when it comes to kids napping in the back during a long journey. If there were more electric cars, we’d also have much quieter communities, which could make bedtimes and relaxing afternoons in the garden more peaceful.
An electric car also means that if you get home and the kids are asleep in the back, you can leave the aircon running and enjoy a few minutes of peace, without worrying about moving them, causing pollution, or wasting fuel.
You Won’t Have to Worry About What to Do with the Kids While You Get Fuel
Pay at the pump has certainly made the dilemma of either getting the kids out of the car, sometimes even waking them up, while you get petrol, or deciding when it’s time to start leaving them alone while you run in to pay, much easier. But pay at the pump is still quite uncommon in rural areas and isn’t always available even in large locations.
When charging an electric car, it’s something that you’ll never have to worry about. Even if you do need to charge up on route, you’ll be able to do it without moving too far away from your car. This also has the bonus of you never having to worry about getting petrol on your hands or clothes when you fill-up.
Additionally, the growing availability of commercial EV charging stations enhances the convenience factor for families on the go, in contrast to the less frequent placement of gas stations suitable for quick stops. importantly, this increased presence of EV chargers helps to alleviate any concerns about the availability of charging options, ensuring drivers can easily find a charging spot almost as readily as they might find a place to park. For example, ACP commercial electric car charging stations are often located at strategic points such as shopping centers, parks, and public facilities, mirroring the placement of traditional parking spaces, yet they offer the added benefit of charging while you engage in daily activities. This setup contrasts sharply with the traditional fueling process, which typically requires a specific, often out-of-the-way trip to a gas station. The presence of these stations not only reflects a shift towards a more environmentally conscious and technologically advanced transportation infrastructure but also promotes a sustainable lifestyle by integrating seamlessly into your daily routine, unlike the more disruptive process of refueling with gasoline.
A Nice Drive
Most car manufacturers are investing in electric car development. This means that it’s the area where all of the best advancements are happening. Yes, batteries are getting better, but electric cars are also getting smoother to drive, they are fitted out with all of the latest mod-cons, and security features. Coupled with the almost silent engine, this means that driving an electric car can be really good fun. You’ll have a smooth ride and plenty of gadgets to play with.
You’ll Save Money on Fuel
At the moment, with fuel costs so high, you could save huge amounts of money not having to buy fuel. The amount you’ll save depends on how often and how far your drive, how efficient your current car is, and for how long fuel costs remain high (as well as how much higher they might get!) but there will always be a big saving.
This can be especially beneficial for families who enjoy holidays in the UK, which might feature a long drive there and back, and trips to attractions during your break.
No Road Tax
Road tax is another place where you’ll save money, as you currently won’t have to pay any. You could also be eligible for a grant to buy your car, and other financial incentives, and you won’t have to worry about paying any congestion charges, or the rise in clean air zones across the country.
It’s More Accessible Than Ever
A few years ago, electric cars were for the elite. Charing options were limited, there were very few affordable electric cars on the market, even those were fairly expensive, and the cars at the lower price points had very poor ranges. They generally weren’t accessible to normal families, or normal family lifestyles.
But things are changing. Electric car leasing has given people more financial options, there are more electric cars on the market, car companies are finding ways to make affordable family cars electric, there are charging points at all major car parks, service stations and even supermarkets and even cheaper electric cars have longer ranges.
They Are Great for the Environment
Of course, aside from running costs, the biggest benefit of electric cars is how good they are for the environment. On a big scale, this means that you will be doing your bit to reduce climate change. On a smaller scale, you’ll be helping to reduce pollution in your local area, improving your children’s health and the quality of the air around you.
You’ll Set a Good Example for Your Kids
As our children get older, there comes a point when our roles start to switch. Suddenly, they are teaching us about being more environmentally responsible, climate change, pollution, and recycling. They’re learning things that we might not know and encouraging us to make changes. They might even start to make us feel guilty about our practices. This is great, but it only happens if you have set a great example up to that point. Driving an electric car is a great way to do this.
It’s the Future
In the UK, there will be a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. There’ll be a period after this when second-hand cars will still be available, but slowly these will start to die off, and electric cars will replace them on the market and the roads. This means that there will also be fewer spare parts and replacements, fewer petrol stations, and even fewer garages specialising in petrol cars. At some point we’ll all have to go electric, so why not get a head start?
There’s a Huge Choice of Electric Vehicles
There’s a bigger choice of electric cars on the market than there has ever been before. If you’ve previously been put off by their expense or are worried that electric cars are very big and unsuitable for family travel, then you’ll be pleased to find are smaller family cars are now available. This choice will continue to grow as electric starts to replace fuel at a faster pace.
Electric Cars are Often Very Safe
All cars have to go through rigorous safety tests before they are made available, whether they are electric, petrol or diesel. But with so much investment in electric, it’s no surprise that most new electric cars are getting maximum scores in safety tests, including crash tests. The newest electric cars feature drivers’ assistance, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assistance, parking assistance, cruise control and advanced sensors for safety.
Electric Cars Can Be Cheaper to Maintain
Because electric cars don’t need fuel tanks, they have fewer parts, and less complicated systems to work. This means that they are less likely to break down.
Even if you aren’t currently in the market for a new car, electric is certainly something that you should consider when the time comes. And who knows, by then there might be even more fantastic benefits, and there’s sure to be more places to charge, greater range batteries and widely available parking perks for electric vehicles.
