Are electric vehicles good for families?

Before deciding on which is the ideal car for you and your family, you’ll need to consider all your options. The most important aspect to think about is to work out how much you can afford, and whether you are better off buying a car outright or making monthly payments. We’ve made this process easier with our car finance calculator. 

You’ll also need to know what you require from your vehicle. If you have a large family, will you need a bigger car? Do you mostly drive in the city and urban areas, or do you live in the countryside? What is your usual mileage?  

All these factors need to be carefully thought about, as everyone’s situation is different. If you have a large family and need room for plenty luggage, for example, an electric family car like the Citroën ë-SpaceTourer could be ideal. Families needing room for five might find the new e-C4, a coupe SUV with sleek styling and a range of over 200 miles, more appealing.

If you drive long distances on a regular basis, then the C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid, with its blend of electric and petrol power, might be the best option. 

There are plenty of benefits to making an EV your next upgrade, especially when it comes to running costs. They’re also very suitable for families, despite the misconception that EV driving range isn’t where it should be. Looking at the ë-C4's 200-mile-plus range, for example, you'll get a good distance between each charge.

While EVs may be more expensive to buy initially, they can be considerably cheaper to maintain in the long run. This is mainly due to the monetary saving on fuel across the vehicle’s lifetime. For those with a family, you may be used to a bigger car that burns through fuel at a quicker rate. You don’t have to worry about this problem with an electric car. 

It’s not just on fuel where you can save money, though, as there are also tax incentives to owning an EV. To meet climate change targets, the government is looking to increase the number of EVs on the road – as such, fully electric cars will pay no Company Car Tax for 2020/21, before rising to just 1% per year thereafter. 

As well as obvious savings, you can also save money in the long term due to the fact there is likely to be less wear and tear with an EV, compared to a petrol or diesel alternative. As EVs are generally made up of three main components (the motor, inverter, and charger), they are extremely efficient from a production standpoint. Due to fewer moving parts, the damage from constant use is far reduced with an electric car, meaning repair costs could be much lower. 

Although there should be plenty of charging points in the nearest city to you, charging your EV at home is becoming more accessible.

Depending on the type of home charging port you have, how long it takes to charge will vary. For example, a home charging port of 7kW can see your car fully charged within five to 10 hours.  

Costs aside, EVs can also boast a more pleasant form of motoring – for both driver and environment. When moving a large family about, with all the baggage it brings, having an easier and more accessible vehicle can make all the difference.

Many people would argue that due to an electric car being much quieter, it provides a more relaxing and smooth driving experience. Once again, it all depends on your preferences, but if you’re driving in the city a lot then an EV can be perfect. With the instant torque, speed tends to pick up quickly, and with electric cars usually having automatic gearboxes, there’s even greater ease of use. 

The balance and distribution of weight in an electric car tends to be much better too, thanks to the batteries mostly being placed at the base of the car. This in turn makes for a lower centre of gravity, which can reduce body roll and instability through corners. 

It’s no secret that electric vehicles are greener than their petrol and diesel counterparts, with zero tailpipe emissions. By deciding to get an electric car for your family, you can rest easier knowing your vehicle of choice is a step in a greener direction.