A new fully charged electric vehicle will provide Brits with nearly 2 full weeks of typical driving

AUTO Trader, the UK's largest automotive marketplace, has revealed that on average Brits need to charge their electric vehicle less than once a week to fit in their normal full week of driving.

On average, Brits drive 127 miles a week with the most common uses being grocery shopping (11 miles), visiting friends and family (22 miles) and shopping for other goods (7 miles). A single charge typically lasts up to 250 miles meaning the average household in the UK would need to charge their electric vehicle less than once a week, this is despite 41% of drivers believing they would have to charge their cars every 3 days.

In fact, based on the average driver and the average journey distance, 1 single electric vehicle charge will provide all of the below:-

• 3 visits to the supermarket.
   

• 10 School runs.
   

• 6 commutes.
   

• 3 visits to friends and family.
   

• 5 general shopping trips.
   

• 1 trip to a restaurant, pub or bar.

Additionally, this data shows that a single charge would be enough to cover a one-way journey between London and most other major English cities including:- Liverpool (212 miles), York (211 miles), Manchester (200 miles), Exeter (195 miles) and Cardiff (149 miles).

Despite 47% of drivers thinking electric vehicles will fit into their lifestyle there are still several barriers to purchase.

39% of Brits admit that a barrier to making the switch to electric is their worry about electric charging times. However, Auto Trader's experts recommend home charging at night will be the best option for most drivers. This will take between 8 and 12 hours to fully charge and will enable consumers to utilise low cost energy tariffs.

Alternatively, for those relying on public charging points the charging time will be faster as they offer more power. On average it will take between:- 4 and 6 hours to gain a full charge of battery at these stations decreasing to just:- 1 to 2 hours if the station has a higher power rating.

An even quicker solution can be found by using rapid chargers usually located in motorway service stations and public car parks which can provide a full charge in less than an hour, however these should be used sparingly as they can influence long-term battery life.

With 92% of adults in the UK believing that the cost of living crisis is the most important issue facing the UK right now according to the ONS, Auto Trader's research reveals electric vehicle drivers with access to home charging can typically save £142 per 1000 miles vs running a petrol or diesel car. With the average UK driver travelling 6,640 miles per year, this could lead to a saving of £942 over a one-year period, even with higher energy costs.

This figure is significantly reduced for those relying on more expensive public charging points, on which VAT is charged at the full 20% rate, resulting in a saving of just £41 per 1000 miles driven. As a result, Auto Trader is calling for Government ministers to consider equal VAT treatment for public and private charging points.

Erin Baker, Auto Trader's Editorial Director comments:- "Electric vehicles have grown in popularity over the last few years with consumers, but still only half those surveyed said they could see how an electric car could fit into their day-to-day lifestyle; the length of time it takes to charge an electric vehicle has been noted as a concern which is putting some off from making the transition. However, there are several options which can allow individuals to quickly charge their electric vehicles and easily incorporate into their daily routines including:- charging overnight at home or using some of the tens of thousands of public charging points available across the country. With just 1 single full charge either at home or when already out on the road, Brits can benefit from close to 2 weeks of typical driving, meaning they are ready to go and have more time to enjoy what matters to them."

Erin Baker, Auto Trader's Editorial Director provides her top tips on electric vehicle charging:-

• Charging on the go.
   

• Route planning.

Where possible, try to plan your route before you set off, being sure to research the charging points in the destinations you're going to as well as nearby back ups. Auto Trader has a very useful electric car charging point map to help you find out where these are located.

Enjoy your stopover

Given that average charging times can currently be quite long, you may need to incorporate a break into any long-distance road trips. Although this can be frustrating, there are ways to make it more palatable. For example, a more scenic location to charge up, stretch your legs and enjoy some lunch can alleviate the inconvenience. The National Trust provides a list of electric vehicle charging points at their venues and the Auto Trader charging map acts in a similar way to google street maps, so drivers can pick-out key scenic spots that will offer charging options.

Home charging

Time it right... Some energy suppliers will offer a cheaper tariff for using energy overnight, traditionally between midnight and 5am. All cars and charging points now have automatic timers either on the car or the charging provider app, meaning you can pre-program for the charging to take place during these times without having to plug it in at midnight.

Co-Charging... The cost of having an at home charging point will of course increase your energy bills, but there are ways to alleviate this. Electric car owners with a charger installed at their home can sign up to community apps such as Co Charger and JustCharge that will allow them to share it with their neighbours.

The apps are free to download and will handle the whole booking process, working out how much the charger owes the host, as well as making the payment directly into their bank account.

To discover the top 10 most affordable electric cars currently on sale including:- the Citroen Ami, Renault Zoe and MINI Electric.

Let us know your thoughts on this news topic... Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:-  Mastodon, Facebook or Twitter.

4 year plan to transform Council services

LIVERPOOL City Council has published an ambitious plan to improve services over the next 4 years. The Council Plan 2023-2027 sets clear aims and ambitions to shape the improvement of the delivery of services for the City's half a million residents.

The organisation has been on an improvement journey since the publication of a Best Value report in 2021, with significant progress made in areas such as:- governance, scrutiny and decision making, as well as the introduction of a new electoral ward map and a four-year election cycle.

In May, Cllr Liam Robinson became Leader of the Council and Chief Executive Andrew Lewis joined the organisation, and there is a new Corporate Management Team and Cabinet.

The Council Plan is based around a vision of a fairer, cleaner and stronger City for all, with 6 'pillars,' or themes:-

1. A strong and fair economy for all; with growth in businesses and decent jobs, thriving neighbourhoods, increased inward investment and improved infrastructure and a distinctive and exciting cultural destination.
    

2. High quality and inclusive education, skills and employment; with high quality inclusive and sufficient education provision, more residents in work and a highly skilled and well trained workforce.
    

3. Thriving communities; with greener and cleaner neighbourhoods, a safe City, affordable homes and a joined up approach to ending homelessness.
    

4. Healthier lives for children and adults; with:- increased life expectancy, access to the right social care with improved choice and control, children and families that are supported to remain together, young people safeguarded in a timely and effective manner and a City that is child friendly.
    

5. A well connected, sustainable and accessible City; with:- a modern, sustainable and connected public transport system, a responsive and effective highways maintenance service, safer, more accessible and inclusive streets and progress on climate action and environmental sustainability.
    

6. A well run Council; financially sustainable and resilient, with:- a skilled, diverse and healthy workforce, high quality governance and decision making and excellent customer experience.

Recent examples of success include:-

• The setting of a balanced 3 year budget.
   

• Hosting the most successful Eurovision Song Contest ever.
   

• Progress on infrastructure schemes such as:- Festival Gardens, Liverpool Film Studios and Paddington Village.
   

• Delivering additional SEND School places across the City.
   

• The completion of highways schemes including:- The Strand (Phase 1) and Lime Street.

The Council's new Neighbourhood Model aims to deliver better understanding of local need, joint working with residents and partners, and a more effective approach to waste reduction, street cleansing and recycling. And a new Transport Plan is also set to be implemented which proposes green bus routes and green corridors, aimed at encouraging residents to walk, cycle and use public transport more often.

The Council Plan will be considered by the Cabinet on Tuesday 19 September and then go to a meeting of the Council on Wednesday 20 September for final approval.

A copy of the Council Plan can be downloaded here.

Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, said:- "This plan addresses the complex, long-term issues facing our City, many of which have deepened following Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis. We cannot address these challenges alone and will improve our engagement with residents, businesses, community organisations and the public sector to help make the Council Plan's vision a reality. Running through this plan is a commitment to provide better services for our residents. The quality of Council services requires significant improvement, to ensure we deliver best value for every pound of public money. We are working closely with Government Commissioners on our improvement plan to ensure a full return of all powers and functions to locally-elected leaders. The Council will reset how its services are delivered by taking them closer to those we serve and making us more responsive to our diverse communities. We will also not shy away from tougher enforcement when necessary to make our neighbourhoods cleaner, greener and safer. Above all, we will do everything we can to deliver high quality, value for money services that improve the lives and life chances of everyone who lives in our City."