Electric vehicle sales are continuing to rise. Whilst EVs still have their downsides – a decreasing but large pricetag and a shortage of charging stations being two of them – the pros still outweigh the cons, especially if you’re a city dweller. Electric cars are perfect for an urban environment. Here are just a handful of reasons why.
Fewer emissions
Electric cars produce zero exhaust emissions making them perfect for cities where air pollution is most a problem. Unfortunately, the electricity used to power EVs is largely still generated with fossil fuels. However, compared to the fossil fuels that are churned up by a petrol or diesel vehicle, the impact on the environment is minimal. Besides, energy is progressively becoming greener as more and more wind farms, solar farms and hydroelectricity plants are being built each year. It’s likely soon all charging points will be run off renewable energy.
City Perks
All kinds of city perks are being gradually introduced to encourage drivers to take up EVs. Many cities in the UK and the rest of Europe are introducing Ultra Low schemes that allow free parking, free charging and access to bus lanes. In the US, many states are allowing EVs to freely use HOV lanes. All in all, having an electric car in a city can make getting around much cheaper.
Less noise
For those early birds that wake up all the neighbours in the morning by revving up their engine, opting for an electric car may be a more sociable option. Many cities already have a problem with noise pollution, but electric cars could slowly be fixing this with their soft and silent engines.
Urban design
Many EVs are designed specifically for urban use. Smart cars may be polarising in appearance, but there’s no denying that their small shape makes them perfect for those commonly just-too-small parking spaces. There are now electric vehicles of all types – the German elektroroller kaufen (electric roller) providing an energy-efficient model for motorcyclists. Models such as the Nissan Leaf Hatchback and Kia Soul EV Hatchback meanwhile are great family models perfect for the school run.
Lower running costs
Perhaps the most appealing thing about being an EV owner is the lower running costs. In a city where living costs are already high, having an electric car can greatly reduce the impact on your wallet. Whilst expensive to buy, these vehicles are generally tax free in most places around the world. On top of this, you don’t have the added expense of fuel. Charging up still costs money, but is a fraction of the price of petrol and diesel. And with many cities bringing in free public charging points, this cost could be reduced even further living in an urban area. The lack of fuel also results in reduced maintenance, meaning that you won’t be shelling out on trips to the garage as often.
