Are ultra low emission vehicles worth it?

If you haven't heard the buzz about Ultra Low Emission Vehicles, or ULEVs, don’t worry - you'll hear much more over time. ULEVs are quickly becoming a popular choice for vehicle owners as each month passes, but is an ultra-low emission vehicle the right choice for you? To help you make your mind up, we’ve put together a guide all about the ULEV, what they can offer you and whether they’re the right choice for you and your lifestyle.

What is an ultra low emission vehicle?

An ultra-low emission vehicle, or ULEV, is an energy efficient vehicle type that produces less than 75g/km of CO2. 

Why is this important?

Well, if a vehicle releases too much CO2, it can be bad for the environment. ULEVs are much more eco friendly, making them a popular choice for those who are trying to reduce their carbon footprint and save money in the process. 

What are the benefits of ultra low emission vehicles? 

Every vehicle has its pros and cons, so it’s important to be able to review these points before you make a final decision. Here are some of the main advantages of a ULEV and why they’d be a wise decision when purchasing your next vehicle:

They’re eco friendly. 

As we’ve already pointed out, ULEVs are much more environmentally friendly than a standard petrol or diesel fuelled vehicles. If you want to be kinder to the environment and choose a vehicle type that produces much less CO2, then an ultra-low emission vehicle is the way to go. 

They’re cheaper to run.

You may have noticed that filling up your petrol tank each week is rather costly. If you’re keen to reduce the amount of money you spend on running your vehicle, then ULEVs are an attractive choice for many. Not only can they eliminate the need to visit a petrol station, but with an electric vehicle home charging point, you can conveniently and effortlessly power up your vehicle before your journey in your own home.

They’re getting more powerful.

Many ultra-low emission vehicles can now travel further than 160 miles on a single charge. With each new vehicle advancement, this range will continue to increase. On longer journeys, you can now charge more often on the go, which brings us nicely onto our next point.

There are more charging points than there has ever been.

These days, you’ll easily be able to find a charging station close by if you don’t have a home charging point installed in your home. Many petrol stations, supermarkets, and car parks, have chargers installed in their premises to help you on your way. A lot of the time, standard charging is free. If you need a quicker, more rapid charge - you’re looking at around £6 or £7 for a 30 minute charge.

There is legislation in favour of ULEVs.

Ultra low emission zones, energy saving schemes and the OLEV grant to name a few, all encourage more people to opt for ULEV over a standard vehicle. In fact, Transport for London aim to make central London an Ultra-Low Emission Zone in the future. There are also higher charges for vehicles which are older and more polluting. There’s never been a better time to upgrade to an ultra low emission vehicle.

Are there any negatives to choosing ultra low emission vehicles?

As with most things, some people may see the negatives of ULEVs as to why they may not be the right vehicle for them. Here are some of the things that could put people off a ULEV initially:

They can be expensive.

There’s no hiding the fact that ultra low emission vehicles are more expensive than a standard fuel powered vehicle. However, saying this, once the upfront cost is out of the way, you’ll more than make up for this from the money you’ll save running a more eco friendly vehicle; they’re cost effective. It’s also good to know that ULEVs are getting cheaper to purchase than they once were.

You may need to power up halfway through a journey.

If your journey to work is relatively short, or if you only need to make quick trips, then this point won’t apply to you. However, if you’re constantly attending far away meetings or like to travel on long journeys, you should be prepared to make some pit stops. You may need to plan a journey a bit more in order to make time to stop for an hour or so to charge up. 

Vehicle designs aren’t extensive.

There aren’t many choices in vehicle when looking for ULEVs, but this won’t last forever. Manufacturers are always developing the next big thing, so if you’re not a fan of the current models on the market, you’ll probably not have long to wait for the next release. 

Ultra low emission vehicles are certainly worth the investment.

In conclusion, ultra low emission vehicles could definitely be in the running for your next vehicle if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint and do your part for the environment. Even though a ULEV may be at the high end of your budget, these vehicles are cost effective, easy to run, as well as being a convenient option for many drivers across the UK. 

If you’re in need of some more information about ULEVs, how the process of charging an electric vehicle works, or how you can pick and choose a home charging point and cable for a new vehicle, you’ve come to the right place. At BOXT, we can give information about the process and recommend some of the best chargers. Not only that, but we can help you choose your ideal charger, deliver it and install it for you the very next day - simple. 

To speak to a member of our team or if you need any more information about the ULEV or home charging points, you can speak directly to one of our professionally qualified engineers using our live chat. You can get an instant response and have a real time conversation with one of us.