1. Electric Vehicles are better for the environment everywhere
This article focuses on full EVs (Electric Vehicles) that only have a battery (or set of batteries) to power them. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are known as pure EVs and emit no tailpipe emissions. The massive advantage of full EVs is that they are powered by electricity and therefore are much cleaner and less harmful to people and animals as once they are manufactured, they do not create air pollution. Therefore, EVs are a much better transport option for the environment, compared to cars that are powered by fossil fuels.
Chief Economist Stephen Gifford of The Faraday Institution states “Total life cycle carbon emissions of a medium-sized battery EV will be about one-quarter of a petrol car sold in 2025.” (A1)
Electric vehicles have lower charges from clean air zones around the UK, including London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Photo by A.Howse
- EVs are more accessible to drive than ever before
Owning and charging an EV is becoming more accessible than ever thanks to investment in charging infrastructure and the continual improvement of EV car design. Charging at home means that topping up the tank can be tailored to a person’s specific accessibility needs. EV car owners who have their own parking spaces are to be flexible on timings and choosing when to top up according to their own unique weekly schedules.
There are however some challenges that EV manufacturers and industrial designers need to overcome that can prevent some people with disabilities from being able to easily use an EV. The main problem is the design of public charging stations that often involve the installation of curbs and equipment that can be difficult for wheelchair users to use. This is because they require a fair amount of physical strength to lift and use the cable connections. Public charging stations can be too difficult to manage easily without extra help for people who struggle to lift weights and also balance and manage relatively large pieces of equipment.
In order to accommodate the floor based batteries, some floor to ceiling heights in some EVs are not tall enough to allow for an easy wheelchair access or wheelchair transfer into the driving seat without using additional aids such as ‘transfer boards’. Ensuring disabled people have access to EV driving is important in many practical, social and environmental ways as there are an estimated 2.7 million disabled people in the UK alone.
However a positive aspect is that custom hand controls and steering aids fit easily on automatic EVs, reducing upper-body strain while driving. There are grants available for people who meet the eligibility requirements including the EV homecharge scheme and the ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle) scheme (more info needed here) Anna Brow at the website LoveElectric is positive about the future for increased accessibility and describes how Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is working with stakeholders including the government and manufacturers to work towards a fully accessible network across the UK. (A2)
In recent years the development of new EVs that provide longer ‘real world driving’ ranges on each charge attracts many drivers who need a car for both leisure and business. This means that more men and women of every age are choosing to go electric as it suits their driving needs, parking arrangements and lifestyle.
The first generation of EVs launched with relatively short ranges (often around 100 miles per full charge) which was a concern for many drivers (including women and people with caring responsibilities) who worried about unexpectedly running out of charge on a trip, especially if they live in more rural areas with less charging stations nearby. The newer EVs now often come with around 300-450 miles or more of range on a full charge, which means it is much simpler to plan even long distance trips without experiencing any thoughts of range anxiety.
The latest software means most EVs will swiftly plan a route that includes enroute charging stops if they are necessary, so there is no need to put off any ambitious road trips when owning (or leasing) an EV.
- EVs are easier to drive than many petrol or diesel cars
EVs are all automatic cars so generally speaking EVs are less complicated than many petrol and diesel manual car alternatives. Often easier to master operating with confidence for new drivers, EVs are also a good choice for anyone who is not as physically strong. Men and women who may not find it as easy to be physically coordinated with all the motoric skills needed to operate a manual gearbox positively and a clutch and accelerator smoothly, will find choosing an EV much more straightforward and less stressful.
EVs are an excellent choice for anyone looking to keep the mechanics of driving simple, so they can focus on concentrating on the road ahead. It is also usually cheaper to learn how to drive an automatic car than learning and applying for a full manual license in the UK, as it is quicker to achieve a high driving standard with less complicated controls.
People who have accessibility needs or who are older and not as strong as they once were, often find automatic cars easier to manage, especially on longer journeys or ‘stop start’ driving in heavy queuing traffic. The automatic gearbox provides a smoother ride compared to manually changing gears which means a more pleasant experience when carrying more delicate passengers.
The latest EV technical features such as adaptive cruise control and lane assist make longer journeys easier for all drivers to manage. Rear parking camera viewing software is fitted to most of the dash mounted screens on newer EVs and this extra clear rear view means reversing and parking with confidence is a breeze.
Photo by A. Howse
- New EVs feature the latest driving assistance software
Many recently manufactured EVs have lots of features to automate driving such as ‘lane assist’ and ‘mode assist’ which automatically slows down when necessary to keep the ideal braking distance from the car in front. Some EVs such as certain Tesla’s are even ready to drive completely autonomously, should fully automated driving become legal in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, like it is now currently in countries such as Holland and Denmark.
Major car brands have their own software systems which, in the latest models, often allow EV owners to frequently, quickly and automatically download the latest updates for safety, navigation and increasingly automated driving features straight onto their EVs onboard computers.
- EVs avoid unpleasant fuel stops
Filling up with fuel at a standard petrol station (that also sells diesel) is not an activity that most people enjoy unless the additional facilities are excellent and the break from driving on a long journey is necessary and welcome. This is because it takes time to complete a tank top up and the fuel smells terrible. Petrol and diesel is unhealthy if inadvertently inhaled whilst filling up, as well as being dangerous if spilled.
Navigating the forecourts and the fuel pumps is often tricky especially when stations are busy and space is tight and then ‘hand pumping’ petrol or diesel from a machine into the cars tank in a heatwave (or if there is driving wind and rain) is a dirty and unpleasant task, that requires both concentration and safety awareness.
- EV’s base battery layer is a design benefit
Electric cars (EVs) do not have a traditional fuel tank that burns fossil fuels and this important feature ensures once manufactured that EVs fully limit any harmful automobile emissions.
Electric Vehicles have a horizontal floor layer of enclosed battery storage at the base of the car which means they often have extra storage space in the ‘boot’ and also in the ‘frunk’ (front trunk) compared to traditional engine powered motors. This battery layer situated low down on the car’s floor gives EVs driving stability and helps keep the car weighted down and going forward smoothly, even when taking corners at relatively fast speeds.
The extra storage space in the front truck or ‘frunk’ can be used to store charging cables and driving accessories, leaving the spacious EV boots for personal items, pets, shopping and luggage.
- Popping into the boot is no longer exhausting with an EV
It is a positive benefit to own a car where you do not need to experience a troublesome time if the vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling and the boot needs to be opened, for whatever reason. Breathing in foul exhaust fumes when hooking out an essential item from the back of the car is a thing of the past with an EV.
Photo by A.Howse
- EVs are the perfect place to listen to favourite music, audio books and even watch a movie.
Another big advantage is the quiet and clean engines, which are part of the reason why most EV drivers would never choose to go back to traditional petrol engine cars. Listening to the radio or any favourite music whilst driving is a finer and superior experience when the chosen audio piece is not competing with the roar of a petrol or diesel engine. Car manufacturers have embraced this aspect and many EVs come with excellent sound systems onboard.
An extra entertainment bonus that comes with many of the latest EVs is that whenever the vehicle is stationary or charging the battery, the digital consol screens that most EVs are fitted with as standard allow the driver (or passengers) to watch a movie, short videos or play computer games.
- EVs are competitively priced in the UK and the second-hand market is thriving
There is a good range of EV design options in 2026 to suit different sized families and transport budgets. Several EV brands currently provide excellent value motors, at relatively cheap price points, for drivers who want a reliable runaround at a reasonable and competitive price point.
The Energy Saving Trust is an international organisation that aims to improve the environment and they report that recent research shows EV drivers save 40 percent on servicing and maintenance costs compared with petrol or diesel vehicles, due to a fewer number of mechanical components needed to initially construct EVs.
However it is worth remembering that at some point (around ten to twenty years) new or refurbished batteries will need to be replaced on any EV. Companies that specialise in replacing and processing EV car batteries enable original batteries to be re-used, repurposed and recycled. Experts describe this technological area as a key part of an emerging and developing industry in the United Kingdom. (A3)
The good news is that many EVs now have a really impressive battery life after several years of use. A recent ‘real world (driving) longevity study’ by Carla who are one of Sweden’s leading used car platforms have published research that confirms that the top twenty EVs with the highest battery health all had batteries above 91% health after 100,000km of driving. The Hyundai motor group did best on battery health in these tests with their Kia e-Nero, Hyundai Kona and Kia EV6 models all showing between 95.95% and 97.25% state of health after 100,000 km of driving. (A6)
- EVs make work and leisure trips and family life journeys safer and more comfortable
People who drive EVs enjoy all the convenience and power that EVs offer as well as a whole host of sophisticated digital features such as ‘camp mode’, ‘pet mode’ and ‘utility mode’. These features allow owners to control the temperature in the cabin for extended periods of time to suit the needs of their passengers and any furry friends when the car is parked, even overnight if required (if the battery has enough charge).
Some cars are designed with extra useful services such as plug points which means making a cup of tea or using a small appliance when out and about is a handy option. Tesla’s glass roof Model 3 cars allow drivers and their friends and family to watch the stars, as they simultaneously enjoy temperature regulated ‘camp mode’.
- Supercar 0-60 mph speeds with only reasonably priced car expenditure
The modern convenience of all the EVs features combined means 95% of drivers “would recommend electric cars to friends and family” according to Electrical Review. (A4).
It is understandable that switching to electric cars has met resistance from many keen drivers who enjoy the physical nature of selecting the gears in traditional manual cars, many with their growling and noisy engines and exhausts. Many self-declared ‘petrol heads’ find joy from the ‘roar of a good engine’ and wouldn’t be convinced about compromising with the recorded ‘fake’ simulated racing car engine sounds that are possible to select digitally (and keep on consistently) whilst driving along in several EV models.
One of the reasons for EV drivers’ enthusiasm is that the nearly instant power delivery that is available on many EVs is very much like owning an elite luxury sports car that is able to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour, in just a few seconds. This is often at half the price or less, of a comparably fast modern petrol or diesel supercar. This feature can more than compensate for the loss of any ‘natural engine growl’ and instantaneous speed is exciting and also useful to activate whilst driving along the roads in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and beyond.
Photo by A. Howse
- Charge your car cheaply and conveniently at home overnight or whenever it suits
For a modest sum (from around a few hundred pounds) a home charging point can be installed swiftly at most homes that already come with parking, with the help of a competent person or electrician (depending on the model). This enables owners and their friends and family to charge EVs on their parking space with no fuss and usually a minimal electrical cost charge, whenever they choose.
If a household has an optional solar panel powered system fitted at their home, it is possible to charge the car partly with the additional power produced by the sun, especially in the summer months.
Many people are hesitant to transition to EVs for their personal transportation, for a variety of reasons. A home charging system is ideal for enjoying the convenience of owning an EV. Understandably not everyone is fortunate enough to have the available space to charge their cars at home. However, some EV owners are still perfectly happy to embrace charging at an EV station nearby. With any of the newer EV models it is a very possible occurrence that the car is fully charged, before the driver has had a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee in the café or pick up a few groceries.
It is definitely worth researching charging station options in the local vicinity where the majority of all the usual living and driving time is mostly spent, before investing in an EV. This is to make sure the charging routine is going to work conveniently, with an individual’s or family’s regular schedule.
Once you own an EV the running costs are significantly cheaper than a petrol or diesel car. The lower price of electricity makes filling up a car’s tank is often much less than half the price of the traditional method of visiting the petrol station to purchase imported fossil fuels.
Charging network is now established in the UK
The good news is that the electric vehicle charging network in the UK is now extensive and works well in most areas and is expanding at pace, across the whole country. Zapmap provides the United Kingdom’s government Department for Transport with the latest data on EV public charging statistics.
“At the end of July 2026, there were 122,724 EV chargers, which are sited on 97,266 devices across 47,441 charging locations around the UK. They support use cases across on-street, destination and en-route charging.” reported Zapmap at the beginning of this month. (A5)
Try out and experience electric driving before you buy an EV
Renting, test driving or borrowing an EV is a great way to try out whether an EV (and which type and model) will best suit a UK driver’s lifestyle. There is no perfect solution to travelling around Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s roads without burning fossil fuels anywhere at all, in the process of producing an automobile. However, EVs are a great option for consumers looking to move forward, save running costs and own cleaner and ‘greener’ cars this year and into the future.
References:
(A1) ‘The UK: A Low Carbon Location to Manufacture, Drive and Recycle Electric Vehicles’ Stephen Gifford, Chief Economist, Faraday Institution, 28 July 2026 ‘The UK: A Low Carbon Location to Manufacture, Drive and Recycle Electric Vehicles’ Stephen Gifford, Chief Economist, Faraday Institution
(A2) ‘Accessibility and Electric Mobility: How EVs will put everyone behind the wheel’ Anna Brow, LoveElectric website, 28 July 2026 ‘Accessibility and Electric Mobility: How EVs will put everyone behind the wheel’ Anna Brow, LoveElectric
(A3) ‘Low carbon travel: Electric Vehicles’ Energy Saving Trust, 28 July 2026 ‘Low carbon travel: Electric Vehicles’ Energy Saving Trust
(A4) ‘Used EV prices fall again as year-end pressures hit market’ Tom Seymour, FleetNews, 14 January 2026 ‘Used EV prices fall again as year-end pressures hit market’ Tom Seymour, FleetNews
(A5) ‘EV charging statistics 2026’ Tracking the growth in EV chargers across the UK, Zapmap website, 4 August 2026 ‘EV charging statistics 2026’ Tracking the growth in EV chargers across the UK, Zapmap website
(A6) ‘Which Electric Cars Retain Their Battery Capacity Best? Kia and Hyundai Dominate Real-World Longevity Study’ Jose Antonio Lopez, The Korean Car blog website, 17th August 2026 ‘Which Electric Cars Retain Their Battery Capacity Best? Kia and Hyundai Dominate Real-World Longevity Study’ Jose Antonio Lopez, The Korean Car