Want to go electric but worried about taking the leap?
Here are four reasons why people across the country are choosing to go green.
- Keeping air pollution levels down
With road transport being one of the biggest contributors towards pollution in the UK, it’s important that we look for new ways to get around. This is why the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2030.
- Protecting urban residents’ health
Air pollution tends to be worse in areas where there’s excessive traffic build-up, with cities such as London, Birmingham and Manchester seeing the highest tonnage of emissions. Both short and long-term exposure to air pollution can put someone at risk of diseases including strokes, asthma and even lung cancer. Defra found that air pollution attributed to around 5 million deaths a year and 9% of deaths globally. When we start to see less fuel vehicles on the road and more electric, this should see a significant reduction on pollution in these areas.
- Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) and Clear Air Zones (CAZ)
In 2019, the Government initiated a ULEZ in London, replacing the previous T-Charge. This incurs a daily fine of £12.50 for most vehicle types. Electric or compliant hybrid vehicle are exempt from ULEZ charges. For those needing to pass through these zones on a regular basis, going electric can look like a much more attractive proposition.
- Road tax exempt
Another obvious benefit of moving onto an electric vehicle is the money you will save on road tax. Zero emission EVs (BEVs) are zero-rated standard tax so you don’t pay any road tax on a pure electric vehicle. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) usually cost between £0 and £105 for the first year depending on CO2 emissions – and then £145 each year thereafter.
Thinking of going electric?
If you’re looking to switch to an electric vehicle this year, it’s worth taking the time to find the right car insurance. While there’s plenty of options available online, it can be difficult to know what you’re getting. If you want to be sure you are insured for what you need, it’s worth getting specialist support. At The Insurance Centre we have experience in sourcing relevant and competitive Electric Car Insurance and can help you to source a policy that’s right for you. To find out more, just get in touch on 01524 848506.
https://www.centreforcities.org/reader/cities-outlook-2020/air-quality-cities/
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