In 2018, UK motorists registered 59,945 electric vehicles. 5,500 of these were registered at the end of the year, promising a continued interest in these vehicles throughout 2019. Between this rise in popularity and the government’s proposed ban on new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, you may well be considering an electric car for you next purchase.
The benefits of no emissions when it comes to electric cars are well known. But why else should you opt for the alternative to petrol cars? Used Vauxhall Viva dealers, Motorparks, highlights the benefits of buying used vehicles.
The UK’s used car market
First, let’s look at the state of the UK’s used car market. This particular market finished last year slightly down compared to the previous 12 months, with a -2.1% difference. However, one riser in the industry was the sales of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric cars. This market share recorded a rise of 27%. SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said of the development:
“It’s encouraging to see more used car buyers snapping up low-emission vehicles as supply grows – but those sales remain low as an overall proportion of the market. We still need the right policies and incentives from government to give new car buyers confidence to choose the cleanest petrol, diesel and electric models that best suit their needs, so that even more drivers can benefit from this exciting technology as it filters down to the used market in the coming years.”
Why you should buy used
The main appeal is the decreased cost of buying a used electric car. If money is tight, then a used car ticks all the boxes. New cars are still popular, and rightly so thanks to the constant updates in technology and safety measures, but with approximately 20% of a new car’s value being immediately lost when you drive it away, it’s led to almost three used cars being sold to every new vehicle in the UK.
What about the other benefits? Nowadays, factory warranties are even longer than before, meaning that the appeal of buying a used car can be enhanced by their longevity. Also, all the gadgets the you often pay extra for when buying new may well already be in a used vehicle and this too will come at a fraction of the cost compared to buying it new.
For the impatient types, you can also drive your used car straight from the forecourt. This certainly isn’t the case when it comes to new cars, with your car needing to be specifically ordered and, depending on your choice of extras, this could take several months. With a used car there is no waiting period. Simply pay your money and drive on by.
Insurance tends to be cheaper for used cars too. This is because there is obviously a lot more equity at risk if you’re involved in a crash. Therefore, you may find that you don’t have to fork out as much on your policy if you choose a used car.
Used electric vehicles
75 per cent of UK drivers have said they would consider an electric car. It’s thought that we are becoming a lot more trusting of a battery’s longevity than we previously were. Many of the reasons for going down this route are the same as buying new, including the positive impact these vehicles have on the environment compared to petrol and diesel cars. The main stumbling block for the quarter that baulked at purchasing a second-hand EV was due to the price.
Technology is also boosting electric’s reputation among drivers. Thanks to new technology advances, experts claim that a battery pack used in an electric car won’t need to be replaced for between 10 and 20 years and can cover around 150,000 miles. Additionally, an increase in EV charging services from suppliers such as Northern Powergrid and the increased availability of charging points has meant that the market looks set to take off in the UK. Experts say that manufacturers have now proven themselves and this sector, giving prospective buyers more confidence in buying a used vehicle.
Good value, high durability, and a greener drive all make electric cars the appealing choice. With a rise in new electric vehicle sales, we will undoubtedly also see an increase in used sales in the run-up to the ban on new petrol and diesel models.
