Many drivers’ next car with be powered purely by electricity so now is the time to start getting your head round making the switch.
Ian Robertson, editor and publisher of Diesel Car and Eco Car, said: “Most electric vehicle experts think switching to an EV is a five-year purchase plan – thinking about it, trying them with test drives and getting yourself attuned to buying one.
“It is all about changing your approach to make your EV work for you.
“Driving an electric car is no scarier than changing from your old Nokia 3210 mobile phone to an Apple iPhone. It is different technology and you have to work in a different way to keep it charged.
“The ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars comes into effect in 2030. Look at how smartphones have developed in nine years, and how the phone you had then was totally different.
“You are going to see that same move with electric cars, if not more.
“The technology is already there to provide decent range and service now so imagine what it is going to be like in nine years’ time.”
One of the biggest fears about EVs is running out of charge – range anxiety.
Rather than fill your petrol or diesel tank to the brim every time you start a journey you just make sure you have enough fuel. It is the same with an EV.
It makes sense to recharge your EV to 100% whenever possible but sometimes you just need to top up – we already do it with our smartphones.
A pure electric car with a 60kWh battery capacity can be charged, from empty to full, with a seven kilowatts per hour (7kWh) wall charger, the maximum for a home, in just under eight hours. Most owners take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity.
But, if you just need a top-up before going out again, a supermini-sized electric car could gain up to 30 miles of range in an hour at 7kW. Then it can be fully charged overnight.
Many owners charge their cars while doing regular tasks such as going shopping or to the gym.
Robertson said: “A lot of supermarkets now have free charging points. You put your car on charge while shopping and take advantage of the free electricity and have a coffee to get the most out of it.
“Rather than going to the supermarket once a week you might go shopping twice a week because you can charge your car for free.”
Although 80% of EVs are charged at home, more public chargers are coming on stream all the time. With phone apps and sat-nav systems to help find them, it is getting easier to top up on longer journeys.
