ARE YOU THINKING about changing your car in 2024?
If you’re ready to move on or perhaps fancy something different, now is the perfect time to start weighing up your options. There’s lots of info out there that can help you make a smart choice with your money.
If you haven’t before, why not think about going down the electric vehicle route? With over 30 brands and 70 models on the market, EVs come with an array of the latest tech features and new comforts that make electric cars a great option for all types of buyers.
You might have your doubts or unanswered questions about EVs, but to combat this, we chatted with an electric vehicle owner about how they are finding the switch to electric to provide you with a different perspective.
Our EV owner is Niamh, from Dublin. She opted to buy an electric vehicle a few years ago when looking to move on from her previous car, which was purchased in 2005.
“I was interested in a more sustainable option for owning a car and wasn’t keen on buying another petrol or diesel,” said Niamh.
I knew that there were financial benefits to owning an EV as the tax was lower and there was a grant to defray the cost of the charger. There were also more options available as the car makers were bringing in new models and designs. Overall, it felt like a good time to buy,” she added.
The sustainability of EVs as well as the financial benefits of driving electric were key driving forces in her decision to switch. These financial benefits include grants from the Government for the car itself and generally lower motoring costs.
Niamh’s car is automatic, which is a change from her previous vehicle. Electric vehicles are all automatic, as they don’t have a clutch or gears, making them impossible to stall. With only two pedals to worry about, driving is easier. You don’t have to worry about a dodgy gearbox either and with less moving parts all around, it means you save money on maintenance and repairs.
In terms of the everyday driving experience, Niamh loves it and finds it very easy to drive, allowing her to get from A to B smoothly.
I love my car! The car has a big boot so plenty of space for carrying all my stuff. It passed the NCT a few months ago so the annual service was no problem,” she said.
“I like that my car is comfortable and easy to use. I also like the smooth acceleration starting off and the quiet sound of the engine – it feels like clean driving, especially with less emissions. It’s also a positive financially as I’m not buying petrol/diesel which seems to be getting very expensive and my annual motor tax is low,” Niamh added.
Not buying petrol or diesel and relying on charging comes with a financial benefit for Niamh. She also enjoys the convenience of having a charger at home, meaning she can leave it on charge overnight and avail of the cheap electricity rates.*
I keep an eye on the charge level and it’s very straightforward to plug in. I only need to charge every two weeks or so. I make sure I have a good level of charge if I’m going on a long drive,” Niamh explained.
With that said, Niamh has found that public charging infrastructure on the road is sometimes lacking. This can make longer trips more challenging.
“Driving long distances (more than 200 kilometres)^ needs planning. There are more charge points available particularly at motorway stops but we could still do with extra chargers around the country,” she said.
Overall, Niamh is delighted she switched, referencing the many environmental and financial benefits that come with being an EV owner. For those unsure, Niamh says “switching to an EV works for me. The choice of car models is improving all the time so there are options to meet all needs. Pick the battery size and model that best suits your needs.”
No matter what car you drive you need to fill it up with fuel so there’s no issue with charging when you have access to a charge point at home or close by. You can plug in when it suits. The financial benefits are positive too so explore the options and make an informed choice,” she added.
Visit Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) to learn more about electric vehicles and the grants available.
ZEVI has been established to support consumers, the public sector and businesses to continue to make the switch to zero emission vehicles.
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