Arguments against electric cars continue, from suggestions that the range they have is not high enough, the batteries do not last long enough, they are worse for the environment, they will break down too much or there isn’t enough choice as well as many more.
It is not the first time, when the Automobile was introduced, there was much hesitation about taking up this new form of transportation, and it is true, that there are still places in the world where the horse and cart are a common site.
In 2030, combustion engine cars will not be banned from the road, but simply banned from sale – it is entirely possible, that in 2100 there will still be some combustion engine cars driving around on the road, after all, I have gone on a drive in a 1928 MG, and although this was almost 20 years ago, I suspect it is still driving. Now, there are already companies that will turn your car from combustion engine to electric, and many of these cars are likely to have this done.
What this ban will do, is that over the following 10 -20 years, everyday travel in a car will rapidly move to electric. It is already the case that electric travel is cheaper – even taking in to account buying the (often) more expensive car in the first place. It is true, that electric cars are generally more expensive than combustion engine cars brand new. However, the problem is this is largely because the expensive cars have largest profits, so initial higher prices can be absorbed for electric cars in a way which is harder to do no a cheap car, however, the kinks are rapidly being worked out, and as such prices are falling fast. The Tesla model 2 is aiming for a price of $25,000, which in the UK should translate to around £18,000 if priced at the same point in the UK (it is true that often with extra tax, prices here do not hit the level they should).
Still, at this point, while the entry price is higher, the cost of ownership is far lower. This means that, provided there is initial help, even paying off a loan, it is cheaper to run it than a combustion engine car. If you took out a 7 year loan, would require repayments of about £2500 plus interest of about £1000 plus perhaps £500 of petrol, adding up to £4000 for the car. this is the equivalent of filling your tank with petrol once a week at current UK prices – making an old banger the same price as an electric car.
The tesla model 2 is not yet out, but their are other cars at similar price points, and the number is only growing.