Benefits

Topping it up is the most cost-effective if using a home charge point. Many energy providers offer cheaper overnight tariffs if you charge your EV at night or ‘add-on’ tariffs where you can only charge your car on the cheaper rate no matter the time. If a domestic charge point is not an option, topping up using public charge points doesn’t have to break the bank. With some public chargers in Dundee being free to use and with a range of tariffs available throughout the city, drivers can find a solution to meet their needs. 

EVs tend to be cheaper to run. Because there is no combustion engine and it is run entirely (or in some cases partially) on electricity and using a rechargeable battery, there is less risk of having a hefty repair bill if things go wrong. With fewer moving parts in an EV, maintenance costs are lower compared to its petrol or diesel equivalent. Oil changes and maintenance of complex mechanical components will be a thing of the past.

Electric vehicles often incorporate more advanced and smart technologies such as regenerative braking, start/stop, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and many more. Many drivers enjoy automatic heating systems, which allow preconditioning of the cabin and battery before a drive, ensuring a comfortable temperature and optimal battery performance. 

Drivers without access to a home charge point are wholly or at least partially reliant on public charging infrastructure, meaning they will need to charge their vehicle away from home. For drivers with additional physical needs, some charge points can exacerbate these difficulties - and create new ones. Currently, 19.5% of public charge points owned by Dundee City Council are compliant with the British Standard Institutions PAS 1899:2022 regulations, which means that they were designed with the aim to improve accessibility. Six of these charge points are located at the Clepington Road rapid charging hub, while the remaining eighteen chargers are on-street solutions from Urban Fox.

EVs generally have a smaller carbon footprint compared to ICE vehicles, even when considering the electricity needed for charging. Significantly more efficient in energy consumption, EVs utilise 87-91% of energy coming from the battery and regenerative braking to drive the vehicle. In contrast, ICE vehicles convert only about 16–25% of fuel energy into movement. With no exhaust pipe,  electric cars also produce no carbon dioxide emissions when driving. Enjoy a breath of clean air and make our city a better place to be for pedestrians and cyclists.

Vehicle to grid technology, wireless charging, sodium-ion batteries, power boosters and battery swap stations are just some of the new technologies that have emerged recently. Expect more features being trialed and tested today as the industry improves.