Says Mick O’Reilly, Power NI Product Innovation Lead
EV adoption is accelerating, with well over 30,000 battery cars now on our roads. A combination of lower costs, reduced emissions, dealer perks and switch incentives, are proving to be a hit with customers, making more consider swapping out their old combustion engine cars, for a more sustainable battery powered alternative.
EV numbers are increasing and as the largest electricity supplier in Northern Ireland, we are keen to help our customers make a smooth transition to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
The most compelling reason to switch to an electric vehicle is the positive impact it has on overall air quality by slashing CO2 emissions, and that is before considering the lower maintenance and daily running costs compared to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles.
With more than 30,000 battery-powered passenger cars already on local roads, this number is expected to increase rapidly due to falling purchase prices, improved vehicle efficiency and driving range, and an ever-expanding choice of makes and models to suit all tastes and budgets.
Car manufacturers, supported by their dealer networks, are adopting aggressive pricing strategies, ensuring EVs are more accessible to both private and business customers. It makes the decision to go-electric easier and more attainable for many more people – and that’s before you delve into the wide range of aftersales packages that are currently available.
Motorists are seeing EVs listed at prices that were unthinkable 12 months ago. If you combine that with lower day-to-day running costs and maintenance bills compared to petrol and diesel cars, you soon begin to appreciate why the argument for switching to an electric vehicle is just so compelling.
At Power NI, we are focusing our efforts on ensuring that electricity tariffs are not left behind in this transition, and that several EV-specific tariffs are available to new and existing owners of zero-emission and plug-in vehicles. These have been introduced to reduce the costs of home-charging for plug-in hybrid and battery electric car owners, with a choice of tariffs that suit their charging needs.
With two bespoke options available, customers have the choice of an Economy 7-type tariff offering,EV Nightshift, which allows EV owners to take advantage of a cheaper off-peak rate, or if charging at night doesn’t suit, Power NI has an alternative tariff, EV Anytime, which promises flexibility to charge at any time of the day, at a fixed energy rate.
What’s more, just as EV owners are doing their bit for the environment and reducing CO2 emissions, the energy for Power NI EV tariffs is supplied from renewable resources*.
We are ready to play our part supporting both existing and new customers who decide to either go down the plug-in hybrid or fully electric avenue. Our home EV tariffs keep charging costs down, while our trusted partners take the hassle out of installing a home charger at residential properties. From initial survey to final sign-off, you are in safe hands with Power NI.
The question is no longer, “Can I go electric?”, but rather it’s, “Why would I not?”. As the automotive industry continues to steer into an electric future, and at increasing speed, consumers are the ones who stand to benefit.
To find out more about Power NI EV tariffs and chargers, visit powerni.co.uk/electric-car