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Step aside dinosaur diesel and Palaeolithic petrol — Electric cars are taking over!

Source: CreativeCommons.org

What’s more, electric vehicles will soon be cheaper than their fossil-fuelled counterparts — even without government subsidies!

Rise of the EVs!

Energising news for electric vehicle fans: a recent study has shown that electric vehicles (EVs) already cost less over a four year period than diesel or gasoline-fueled cars in the huge markets of Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and in large parts of the United States (US). As costs continue to drop exponentially, they will soon be the cheapest option across the board, even without the current government subsidies.

ELECTRIC CARS ARE TAKING OVER! A recent study by the University of Leeds showed EVs to be cheaper to own and operate in California, Texas, Japan and the UK. Source: Facebook BrightVibes

Cheaper, greener, cleaner, less maintenance… it’s now impossible to ignore the positives of EVs

A new study has shown that EVs already cost less over a four-year period than diesel or petrol-fueled cars in Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and both California and Texas in the United States. 

Researchers at the University of Leeds arrived at the discovery having taken into consideration the total overall price tag of ownership, they factored in; insurance, fuel, maintenance, taxation, purchase price and depreciation. While the low cost is currently aided by government subsidy, in the next few years researchers foresee EVs being the least expensive option all-round, even without subsidies.

EVs are already cheaper to own and operate in the markets the researchers studied: California, Texas, Japan, and the UK. They said this lower expense is an important factor propelling the surge in EV sales. 

Electricity is cheaper than diesel or petrol, and maintenance costs are lower as pure electric cars have much simpler motors than the complex internal combustion engines, with their multitude of parts and constant need for lubrication and oil. A typical brushless electric motor has just the one moving part and requires no fluids or grease.

The journal Applied Energy published the study online in November 2017.

Source: Inhabitat

Taking into consideration the total overall price tag of ownership, including; insurance, fuel, maintenance, taxation, purchase price and depreciation, electric vehicles proved more economical over a four-year period.
Electric Avenue… Taking into consideration the total overall price tag of ownership, including; insurance, fuel, maintenance, taxation, purchase price and depreciation, electric vehicles proved more economical over a four-year period. Source: Tesla.com

EVs such as the Nissan Leaf could be as cheap to own and run as a fossil-fuelled car by 2025

Co-author of the study, James Tate of the University of Leeds told The Guardian, “We were surprised and encouraged because, as we scale up production, [pure] electric vehicles are going to be becoming cheaper and we expect battery costs are going to fall.”

Hybrid cars tend to be slightly more expensive than gas-fueled cars, as they tend to draw lower subsidies. The researchers said people are basically laying out money for two engines in one car. Japan is the sole exception, as it provides higher subsidies for plug-in hybrids.

In Japan and the UK, pure electric cars get a sales subsidy of around $6,729, while I n the US, the subsidy is around $8,748. Tate told The Guardian an EV such as the Nissan Leaf could be as cheap to operate and own as a petrol car, without subsidy, by 2025.

The journal Applied Energy published the study online in November 2017.

Source: Inhabitat

Study co-author says an EV such as the Nissan Leaf could be as cheap to operate and own as a petrol car, without subsidy, by 2025.
EVs are silently pulling ahead of the internal combustion engine Study co-author says an EV such as the Nissan Leaf could be as cheap to operate and own as a petrol car, without subsidy, by 2025. Source: Nissan.co.uk

Renewables currently receive a third the subsidies of fossil fuels, yet EVs are still pulling ahead

Keep in mind that in 2015 fossil fuel subsidies were $325 Billion, where renewables received only $105 Billion (source: International Energy Agency)

Electricity is cheaper and greener than diesel or petrol as sustainable energy sources gain ground rapidly. Maintenance costs are lower due to fewer moving parts and no need for fluid top ups.

Volkswagen, Ford, BMW, Mercedes and other automotive big players are all jumping on the bandwagon. The more popular the cars become, the cheaper they will be, and vice-versa! It seems likely this process will accelerate further, and the fight against climate change can be put into the next gear.

Make an Impact

What you need to know before buying an EV

Any vehicle purchase is a major life event, so if you’re considering laying out on an electric vehicle as your next mode of transport, here are some things you might want to consider before taking the plunge.