There is much talk of the environmental impact all of us have in how we live. In this article we talk to Hassocks residents who have already taken the plunge and switched to cars which use electric power. Ann Nunn drives a hybrid (which means it uses both a conventional petrol engine as well as having batteries which can be charged and power the car for short periods of time), David Watson owns a Nissan Leaf which is a fully electric powered car (often referred to as an EV) and David Toman (pictured) has one of both types.
David Toman explained that he initially bought a Toyota Prius because of his scientific interest in the engineering concept of hybrid technology, but with a secondary objective of reducing his carbon footprint. “The Leaf (EV) was the next step and with a far greater range running on batteries. Most journeys are within a 30 mile radius of home and so I find now that I tend to use the Prius mainly for longer trips.”
The cost of charging an electric car and driving the miles is certainly cheaper than the equivalent in petrol or diesel. David Toman estimates that the per mile cost of running his EV compared to a petrol-drinking hybrid is around half. One of the advantages that David Watson, who has owned Nissan Leafs since 2012, tells us about is the car’s depreciation being less than other cars he’s owned.
Ann Nunn bought her Toyota Auris in order to reduce emissions but admits she was tempted in by the fuel economy, which she says averages 50mpg but has been known to get up to 70mpg! “I love driving it – it’s perfect. I’ve had it for three years and would definitely buy another one. It’s size and efficiency makes it a great car.”
In an all-electric one of the main concerns for potential EV owners can be about running out of charge. David Watson said: “We have solar panels at home but I do still charge away from home plenty and use remote charging points all the time. And they are improving in the technology and quantity available.” David Toman doesn’t have any experience of using charge points as he doesn’t do long journeys plus he also has solar panels at home – so there’s a strong incentive for him to use the free power especially during the spring and summer months.
All our owners described the cars as easy and pleasant to drive. Whether on the hybrid where the petrol engine cuts in and out on its own, or the super quiet drive of electric only. The recent announcement by the government to bring forward the ban of all petrol and diesel cars to 2035, the transition to electric (and other alternatively fuelled vehicles) is certainly upon us.
This article was first published in the March 2020 issue of Hassocks Life Magazine.