Are You Ready For Electric?

Are you looking to make the switch to electric? It could be a smart move. However you may  be a little conflicted about the difference and if it would suit your lifestyle. So if you are undecided between an electric vehicle and a rechargeable hybrid vehicle, the answer largely depends on your lifestyle and how dependent your vehicle is on everyday life. By and large, a rechargeable hybrid vehicle (PHEV) will suit you better if:

  • You are required for long or unexpected trips.
  • If you do not have easy access to a charging station at home or at the destination of the trip.

True, there are pure electric vehicle models that can reach hundreds of miles without charging today. Usually they also rise accordingly and are therefore less relevant to most people. 

True, some of the family members also made a jump in the range and did much more miles than the average driver travels per day. And yet, there is a gap between the manufacturer’s statements and the reality on the ground and there are many parameters that affect the range that are not always expected (climate, ascents, speed, fragmented travel, etc.).So if the car is the basis for your business or if you are bouncing a lot and at short notice and still want to reduce your car’s pollutant emissions and save on fuel expenses – the rechargeable hybrid can definitely be a good option for you. 

The rechargeable hybrid will suit you better even in the case where you live it is not possible to install a home charging station. It is very difficult to own an electric car without easy access to a home charging station, although more are popping up across the USA and the UK in larger cities.  Electric vehicle (EV) will suit you better if:

  • You have a place in the house and easy access to a home charging station.
  • You travel up to 200 km a day.

If you travel a relatively short distance to work and do not often use the car during the work day and even if you do – the trips are expected and planned in advance. If this is the case, then you are not at all dependent on charging outside the home and an electric vehicle is definitely a good solution for you.  If you do not have a comfortable place to place a charging station at home but you have the option of placing a station in the workplace. This is a less good option, but if you travel between 130 km (in the old models) and 200 km a day (in the new models) and this is a second vehicle whose main function is to take and get you back from work, it can definitely work. You can then also look at car accessories to get, which will make it an even more exciting transition.  Modern cars are open to new accessories and to really ‘pimping out’ your ride, to make it safe, secure, fun and of course…modern.

Emily Muelford
Emily is a British writer whose love of car culture is augmented by a fascination with both the European and American automotive markets. Her perspective is uniquely fish and chips.