Driving an electric vehicle (EV) has lots of benefits. They can be a great choice for people with mobility needs because they have features that make driving easier and more comfortable. And, all EV’s are automatic. And just like petrol or diesel cars, EVs can be adapted to fit your needs. In this article, motoring journalist Mark Smyth shares what to look for when choosing an EV.
There are over 100 EV models available in the UK, so you have many options to find the best one for you. With a range of electric cars available on the Motability Scheme, it’s important to know what you’re getting and how it can suit your needs as a driver or passenger.
EVs have lots of high-tech features that make driving a smoother and safer experience. With the Scheme, you’ll get a brand-new car which is likely to come with the latest technology to make driving easier. Plus, your all-inclusive package includes insurance cover, servicing and repairs, and breakdown cover, adding even more peace of mind to your driving experience.
To make choosing your EV simpler, here are some important features to look out for that can make a big difference. You’ll also find helpful information about adaptations and how they work with EVs.
Helpful EV features for drivers with disabilities
All EV’s are automatic
Preconditioning
Home charging
Storage space for mobility aids
Lower maintenance requirements
EVs have many features that you’ll know from traditional cars. These include common things like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and parking sensors. Many EVs also have new technology, like touchscreens instead of regular buttons, to make it easy to control the car. They also offer smoother acceleration and a quieter ride, making every trip more comfortable.
You might know some of these features already, but here are a few that are specific to EVs and might be new to you:
Most EVs are automatic, which make them easier to drive as you do not need to think about changing gears. But EVs also have a clever feature called regenerative braking. This feature charges the battery while you drive by using the energy from braking to put energy back into your battery.
This is a helpful feature as it lets drivers control how much the car slows down without needing to press the brake pedal as much. You can even adjust how much power is added to the battery or make the drive smoother with different settings.
A key benefit of having an EV is the ability to precondition the inside. Preconditioning means you can warm up or cool down the car before you get in it. Most EVs let you do this through an app, so you can set the temperature you want while you’re still inside your house.
You can also set a timer to have the car at the right temperature before you get in it. This is especially helpful for people who might find it harder to adjust quickly to hot or cold temperatures. This can help make it an easier and more comfortable driving experience.
With an EV, charging at home can be an easy and convenient option. Many EVs come with a charging app that lets you control different settings from your phone, even when you’re not in the car. The app will let you monitor or schedule charging times, meaning you can choose to charge it when it’s convenient or cheapest for you. For example, you can charge overnight when electricity rates are usually cheaper, helping you save money and time.
You can have a lot more flexibility with remote charging as you do not have to physically do anything to start or stop charging. This means you can have your EV ready to go whenever you need it.
Storage space for mobility aids
If you use a mobility aid like a wheelchair or a mobility scooter, it’s important to think about what size boot you need. Many EV models have their batteries under the floor. This means EVs tend to have a bigger boot space and can mean more stowage space mobility equipment.. If you want to know the storage space of an EV, you can use the ‘Car boot capacity’ filter in the Find a vehicle tool on the Motability Scheme’s website to find one that suits you.
Lower maintenance requirements
EVs have fewer parts than diesel or petrol cars, so they need less maintenance. It also means fewer things can go wrong, which makes for a far more stress-free journey.
Did you know?
The Motability Scheme will support you with charging when you lease your first EV. They’ll arrange and cover the cost of a home chargepoint and a standard installation.
Some people are not able to get a home chargepoint, so they’ll give you access to the bp pulse network of public chargepoints instead.
Plus, all EV customers get their new way to help you charge on the go, Motability Go Charge. This gives you access to over 45,000 chargepoints, all with a single app and card.
Interested in joining the Scheme?
Join over 800,000 customers who already enjoy the benefits of a all-inclusive package through the Scheme. With the Scheme, you can exchange part or all your qualifying mobility allowance to lease a brand-new vehicle of your choice. Check if you’re eligible to join the Scheme
Request a free information pack to learn more about the Scheme.
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