Five reasons to make the switch to an electric car
9 September is World EV Day! Already driving one? If that's the case, you don't need us to convince you. If you need one last push, here are five reasons that have already convinced many drivers to switch. The biggest benefit is that they are better for the environment (and you'll therefore also be free to drive into all cities and low-emission zones from 2026 onwards, for example) – but we won't even mention that.
- Cheaper to drive in the long run
An electric car is, of course, still more expensive to buy. But if you look at the total cost of ownership (TCO) over the entire useful life of your car, it tells a different story and the cost is often lower...
Why? Because, apart from some exceptional periods such as 2022, it's still a lot cheaper to 'fill up' with electricity than with petrol or diesel. An electric car also costs a lot less to maintain, as there are far fewer mechanical parts in the engine. And you don't need to change the oil or replace the cambelt, either.
If you lease, the leasing price also reflects this TCO: the more expensive purchase price is spread over time and is partially offset by lower maintenance and fuel costs.
- There are many options for charging
If you can take the option of installing a charging station at home, there's nothing simpler than just plugging your car in each evening. If your employer has invested in charging stations at your workplace, that's just as convenient, too.
But even if you're one of the many Belgians who aren't yet able to recharge at home or at work, you still have plenty of options. The number of roadside charging stations is on the rise. The well-known Fleet even reported recently that Belgium became one of the top three countries in Europe this year, in terms of the number of charging points, with 30.4 charging points per 100,000 inhabitants.
Battery and car manufacturers are also competing in the race to greater range and faster charging times, which can only be to your advantage. 500 kilometres and more from a fully-charged battery and fully charging in just 15 minutes is becoming the new normal.
- Driving electric is pure fun
Thanks to seamless acceleration without the jolts and vibrations associated with traditional combustion engines, electric cars move very smoothly. The engine also runs almost silently, which makes for a very quiet ride. The batteries are usually mounted in the floor, resulting in a lower centre of gravity. This means that electric cars offer excellent handling and stability, making cornering a lot more pleasant.
Electric cars also use regenerative braking to recover energy during deceleration or braking. Not only does this improve efficiency, but it's also fun to experiment with one-pedal driving: you release the accelerator and the car decelerates automatically without you having to touch the brake pedal.
The result? Unbelievably relaxed driving pleasure, as if you were floating along the road.
- Electric cars are at least just as safe
Lane-Keeping Assist and even full driving assistance, advanced cruise control, automatic braking in the event of danger, blind spot monitoring and more... Many electric vehicles are equipped with advanced safety systems and driving assistance systems as standard. In addition, research has now also shown that electric motors are at least as safe as petrol or diesel engines.
The best proof? In 2022, Euro NCAP, the official European crash test organisation, selected six winning cars in different categories. And every single one was an electric car.
- The range on offer is growing
The time when you had a choice of just two brands for an electric car, or only had this option in the luxury class is now a thing of the past. All major car manufacturers have joined in the action. Every month sees a new and attractive model announced somewhere, and more and more models are being launched in the more affordable classes. There are now five times as many models as there were in 2018, with more than 100 already on the market and twice as many in the pipeline. More than enough choice, then!
