Over the past 12 months it's been impossible to escape the governments witch hunt on Diesel vehicles. Diesel engines which were once hailed by governments worldwide as lower C02 emission alternatives to petrol cars have now been shunned by most major cities worldwide in an effort to protect public health and minimize global warming. This has now gone one step further with the current government looking to initiate an outright ban on new Diesel and Petrol sales by 2040.
Diesel engines boost came in 2001 when the government introduced a new car tax system whose purpose was to protect the environment. What the previous governments failed to recognise is that this tax system actually pushed buyers into harmful Diesel vehicles creating an industry surge. Though the diesel engines were more fuel efficient with lower emissions, they actually emitted greater quantities of other harmful pollutants which have been linked to premature death which is why worldwide manufacturers are being put under immense pressure to change.
So is it time to go Electric?
The dramatic increase in road tax and benefit in kind as a result of the governments plan to get polluting vehicles off the road has caused many vehicle manufacturers to rethink their business structure. The majority of manufactures have taken on board the concerns of car buyers and with mounting pressure from governments worldwide, they have made a promise to invest in electric technology for vehicles going forward. Swedish car giant Volvo has even gone one step further and promised to cease production of solely internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles by 2019. Volvo have stated that from 2019, every vehicle released will contain an electric engine in some capacity, whether Hybrid or All electric.
For those affected by the London congestion going electric is a no brainer. The daily charge for driving in the inner city zones is £11.50, however if you were to move to electric this makes London driving congestion charge free, providing a £10 registration fee is paid at the start.
Which electric vehicle is the one for me?
Whether you choose to jump in at the deep end with an all-electric car, or dip your toe in the water with a hybrid, it's important that you pick the right vehicle for you. The main concern for most ICE vehicle owners is range anxiety which is defined as the worry of running out of charge. Rest assured, once you drive your first electric vehicle this 'anxiety' soon disappears, as modern vehicles now boast around 150 miles range for the Nissan Leaf, up to over 300 Miles Range for the new Tesla Model 3 which is far more than is needed for the majority of drivers everyday commute.
Where can I charge my vehicle?
You have an option to have a subsidised charge point fitted at home or use a public charge point available at most supermarkets.
The UK government is also working on rolling out a £400 million charging infrastructure update, however they have admitted they are behind schedule on this.
We are the vehicle experts so can talk you through the available options and tax benefits of each vehicle and most importantly find the car that fits with your lifestyle. So whether your budget is a £22k Renault Zoe or a £100k Tesla Model X.
Mann Island Vehicle Finance
Members of the Bar are entitled to exclusive discounts on Vehicle Finance. To connect to the bespoke website, visit the MyBar Portal here.
Alternatively, email here for an enquiry.