Disclosure: This article about switching to electric cars is a collaborative post.
If you’re on the hunt for your next car, you may be wondering which fuel type is best for you. It can be hard to decide whether you should join the electric car revolution now or use this time to enjoy a petrol car whilst you still can! The guide below has been designed to help you decide which is best for you.
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What is the Petrol-Diesel Ban 2030?
The petrol-diesel ban has been introduced in the UK to help reduce the rate of climate change. Petrol and diesel cars release CO2 into the environment which speeds up the rate of global warming. To help improve air quality, the petrol and diesel ban will come into play in 2030. This means no new petrol or diesel cars will be available to buy in the UK. If you want a brand-new car, you will either have to buy hybrid or electric. You can still buy and sell used petrol and diesel cars after this period though. With this in mind, should you adopt an eco-friendlier lifestyle sooner rather than later? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of petrol and electric cars to help you decide.
Should You Buy a Petrol Car?
A petrol car is one that has an internal combustion engine and converts petrol into energy. The engine powers the wheels through a gearbox and is one of the most popular fuel types in the UK.
Benefits of petrol cars:
- Refuelling is fast and easy
- More choice available
- No range anxiety
- Generally cheaper to purchase
- Can perform better when it comes to speed and acceleration
- Emit less pollutants than diesel cars
Disadvantages of petrol cars
- Fluctuating petrol prices
- Not very energy efficient
- Charges apply for driving in clean air or low-emission zones
- Still produce harmful emissions
Should your next car be electric?
Electric cars don’t have a combustion engine and instead uses an electric motor. The electric motor is powered by batteries which can be recharged by taking electricity from the national grid. Electric cars can transfer power straight to the wheels so acceleration can be faster. There’s no tailpipe involved so no harmful emissions are released into the atmosphere either. Electric cars can be expensive to purchase outright but getting an electric car on finance UK can help to spread the cost.
Benefits of getting an electric car
- Zero emissions
- Government grants available
- Exempt from congestion charges
- Better mileage
- A quieter and smoother ride
- Cheaper to run
- Cheaper to maintain
- Lower road tax
Disadvantages of electric cars
- High purchase price
- Slow charge times
- Shorter range and increased range anxiety
- Aren’t as fast as many petrol and diesel cars
- Less charging point availability
Should you consider a hybrid car?
A hybrid car for many people can be the step towards going electric without fully committing. A hybrid car uses two means of propulsion, usually a petrol engine with a smaller electric motor. Depending on the type of hybrid you choose (full, mild or plug in) you can either use the electric motor to support the petrol or diesel engine or you can use it independently. The most popular type of hybrid tends to be plug in hybrids, these usually have larger batteries and if you only travel around 30-40 miles per day, you may never need to use the combustion engine. Plug in hybrids can be charged at home just like an electric car. Hybrid cars can be more expensive than petrol cars but used hybrid cars on finance are becoming more popular. If you want to help reduce your carbon footprint but still benefit from the range of a petrol engine, a hybrid car could be perfect for you.
Which fuel type is right for you?
If you’re stuck between buying an electric or petrol car, there could be a few factors you need to consider. When it comes to usage and mileage covered, petrol cars can be the better option. In general, they can cover more miles and it’s easier to refuel than an electric car. If environmental benefits are your key concern, then hands down an electric car would be for you. When it comes to purchase price, a brand-new electric car can be out of reach for many drivers who want to save money. However, there are more options available for used electric cars and financing options. in general, a used petrol car will always be much cheaper to purchase.
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