Making the switch to electric? One driver’s experience after three EVs

For many drivers, the thought of switching to an electric vehicle brings immediate questions. Will the battery last for the whole journey? Will there be a working charger nearby? And will charging turn a simple motorway trip into a logistical headache?

Yet driving an electric car often requires nothing more dramatic than a change in routine. In this edition of Resolver Stories, Graeme shares what he has learned from owning three fully electric cars over more than seven years and explains why a little planning can go a long way.

This is Graeme’s story…

We are now on our third fully electric car, having made the switch more than seven years ago. In terms of cost, ease of use, low maintenance, comfort and practicality, it is the best change we ever made. Range was more of an issue when we first started driving electric. Cars could not travel as far, and there were far fewer places to charge. Even then, however, a bit of planning was usually all that was needed.

One owner I know had an early Renault Zoe with a range of around 80 miles and still managed to take his family to Holland. It was possible because he planned the journey carefully.

Modern electric cars have much better ranges, while the charging network has grown considerably. Even at busy motorway service stations, we have not had to queue. Very occasionally, a smaller charging hub may have a unit out of order. The trick is not to let the battery get so low that one unavailable charger becomes a serious problem. Planning a backup charging stop can remove much of the worry.

The biggest change is not the car, it is your attitude to longer journeys.

Most people stop every couple of hours for coffee, food or a comfort break anyway. In a petrol or diesel car, you might park, take your break and then fill up with fuel before leaving. With an electric car, you simply reverse the process.

I stop at the charging point, plug the car in and then go for coffee. By the time I am ready to continue, the car has been charging throughout the break. It soon becomes part of the journey rather than an extra inconvenience.

If you can charge at home using a cheaper overnight tariff, or electricity generated by solar panels, the financial benefits are obvious. The car can charge while you sleep and be ready to go the following morning.

For someone who travels all day, every day for work, the economics may be less clear. But, even then, the comfort, ease of driving, low maintenance and other practical benefits can still make an electric vehicle worthwhile.The technology is also moving quickly. Developments from Formula E racing may eventually make their way into mainstream cars, potentially allowing drivers to add a significant amount of charge in seconds.

Making the move to an electric vehicle

Graeme’s experience shows that switching to an EV is as much about changing established habits as changing cars. Before making the move:

Choose a car with a range suited to the journeys you make regularly.
Check whether home charging is possible and compare overnight electricity tariffs.
Plan charging stops before longer journeys and identify a backup option.
Avoid running the battery so low that a faulty or busy charger creates an emergency.
Build charging into breaks you would already take for coffee, food or rest.
Consider your annual mileage and working routine when calculating potential savings.
Remember that cost is only part of the picture: comfort, convenience and lower maintenance also matter.
Give yourself time to adjust. With a little planning, the new routine can quickly become second nature.

A different way to drive

Moving to an electric vehicle does require a change in mindset, particularly when it comes to longer journeys. But as Graeme’s experience shows, it does not have to make driving more difficult. Planning charging stops, making use of natural breaks and avoiding a last minute search for power can make electric travel straightforward.

The technology and charging network will continue to improve, but many of the benefits are already available. For drivers who can charge at home, especially on a cheaper overnight tariff or with solar power, the savings can be significant. Add in the comfort, convenience and lower maintenance, and it is easy to understand why Graeme has never looked back!

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