Environmental Benefits
One of the most significant advantages of EVs is their environmental impact. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollutants compared to traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles. Additionally, when charged with renewable energy sources, EVs can further reduce their environmental impact, contributing to a lower overall carbon footprint.
Economic Benefits
Electric vehicles can be more cost effective to operate. Electricity is generally cheaper than gasoline or diesel, and EVs have fewer moving parts, which means lower maintenance costs over the vehicle's lifetime. Furthermore, there are often financial incentives, tax credits and rebates for purchasing electric vehicles, making them more affordable and appealing to a wider audience.
Performance Benefits
EVs are known for their impressive performance. Electric motors provide instant torque, resulting in quick and smooth acceleration, making them responsive and enjoyable to drive. Additionally, EVs operate much more quietly than internal combustion engine vehicles, contributing to reduced noise pollution.
Convenience Benefits
Owning an EV can be very convenient, especially with the ability to charge at home, reducing the need for trips to the gas station. This convenience is further enhanced by the increasing availability of fast charging networks. Additionally, regenerative braking technology recaptures energy during braking, helping to extend the vehicle's range and reduce wear on brake components.
Health Benefits
EVs contribute to improved air quality by producing no tailpipe emissions, helping to reduce harmful pollutants that cause respiratory problems and other health issues. Their quieter operation also leads to less noise pollution, benefiting urban areas and contributing to overall community well being.
Energy Security Benefits
Electric vehicles can help decrease reliance on imported oil, promoting energy independence and security. They also allow for greater utilisation of renewable energy sources. As the grid becomes greener with more renewable energy options, EVs can further leverage these clean energy sources, promoting a sustainable energy future.
Technological Innovation
The development of EVs drives innovation in battery technology, leading to longer ranges, faster charging times, and more efficient energy storage. EVs can also be integrated into smart grids, allowing for more efficient energy use and management, including vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities where EVs can supply energy back to the grid.
Get In Touch
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions Answered
When you apply for a credit product such as car finance, the company will conduct a credit check before accepting you as a customer. Your credit history indicates how dependable you are in repaying loans or credit cards, and even your phone bill (if you’re on a contract) contributes to it.
A soft credit check happens when you review your own credit score or when a company checks it as part of a background check. This can include banks, lenders, retailers or landlords. While soft credit checks are noted on your report, they do not affect your credit rating.
Lenders use hard credit checks to examine your complete credit history when you apply for finance. Each time you apply for a loan, a hard credit check is performed. This type of credit search leaves a record on your credit history.
The good news is that self employed individuals now constitute nearly 16% of the UK workforce, making lenders more willing to approve self employed applicants. You might be asked for additional information about yourself, but this is simply to ensure lenders have a comprehensive understanding of your financial history before making a decision.
Lenders seek proof of stability in your employment and address history… the longer you’ve been at your current job and address, the better. They also review your credit score.
The short answer is yes! The key factor will be proving your income, along with the usual credit score checks. The lenders we contact on your behalf will want to ensure you can afford your monthly repayments, and they’ll do this by reviewing your credit score.
The good news is that you can terminate your contract early with most popular forms of car finance, but there are specific rules about when and how you can do it. If you can no longer afford the repayments, it’s crucial to contact your lender and inform them of your situation.
You must have already repaid 50% of the balance due, including interest and any other charges. If you have, you can cancel the contract and return the car. This is known as voluntary termination and is a legally binding initiative under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. If you haven’t yet paid off 50% of the amount owed but still want to cancel the contract, you can make additional payments to reach the halfway point. You won’t be able to terminate the contract until you do so.
It may seem surprising, but there are instances where you can get a new car without paying a deposit. The only exception might be a reservation fee of a few hundred pounds. Typically, you won’t need to make a payment for 30 days, until your first repayment is due.
A no deposit car finance deal can get you on the road quickly and allow you to spread the cost of a new vehicle evenly across the loan term. However, you’ll usually end up paying more each month. These loans often come with higher interest rates and overall costs.
We all know how quickly circumstances can change. A finance payment of a few hundred pounds a month or more can become a significant burden, even if it was affordable initially. If you have taken out a PCP or HP deal, the repayment period can sometimes extend up to 5 years, depending on the agreement.
Can I sell my car with outstanding Hire Purchase (HP) finance?
In short, no, you cannot. The car legally remains the possession of the finance company until the end of the agreement, or unless you end the agreement early by paying off what you still owe.
If you are more than halfway through your repayments, you will not be able to return the car. To exit your car finance agreement, you would need to pay a settlement figure set by your lender.
Can I sell my car with outstanding Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance?
Again, you are not allowed to sell the car while you still have outstanding debt. You are not the car’s legal owner until you have repaid the PCP agreement or the settlement figure in full.
The first option is to return the car if you have paid off half the finance agreement. If you haven’t, you will need to pay the difference to reach that point. Remember, you must have paid 50% of the total amount payable, which includes fees and interest, not just the amount borrowed.
The annual percentage rate (APR) is the official rate used to help you understand the cost of borrowing. It includes the interest rate and additional charges of a credit offer. All lenders must disclose their APR before you sign a credit agreement.
Representative APR:
This refers to the lowest APR that a particular lender will offer to 51% of accepted applicants. For example, if you see an advert for a hire purchase loan with a 9% APR, it means that 51% of those accepted for the loan can get it at that rate or better. The remaining 49% are likely to be offered a higher APR.
Exact APR:
With exact APR, what you see is what you get. When you apply for car finance, the APR you see is what you’ll receive when the loan is agreed. Exact APR is tailored to your personal finances and credit score.
While this rate can be higher than many representative APRs you might see advertised, it is more accurate. There are no hidden charges, so you’ll pay exactly what you expect to pay.
Real APR:
‘Real’ APR is the interest rate you actually have to pay, rather than the advertised representative rate. This is calculated by the lender based on how ‘risky’ they perceive you to be as a borrower. They determine this using various sources of information, including:
- Your credit history.
- Your financial situation.
- Any previous dealings with the lender.
Bad credit occurs when you have a history of not paying bills or haven’t had enough time to build a substantial credit score.
Your credit score is determined by five main factors:
- Payment history
- Total amount owed
- Length of credit history
- Types of credit
- New credit
If you have a history of missed payments, accumulating debt and making multiple financial commitments you can’t afford, you will be considered higher risk and have a lower credit score. Being under 21 can also be a disadvantage, as you haven’t had enough time to build a strong credit score. All these factors make it less likely for lenders to approve you for finance.
You will need to have a few items ready when completing an application:
- Licence: Ensure you have at least a provisional or full UK licence available.
- Employment status: If you are employed, you will need to provide payslips from the last 3 months (or more, depending on the lender).
- Residency: You will need proof of address, such as a utility bill or any formal document with your name and address. Be sure to submit the entire document, not just the address.
- Passport: You will need a form of photo ID other than a driver’s licence, typically a passport.
A poor credit history can significantly impact your ability to secure loans or financial services.
Individuals with lower credit scores are less likely to receive competitive rates and may even face loan refusals from some lenders. However, there are methods to obtain credit approval despite a poor credit score, and steps you can take to improve your score:
- Obtain a Credit Report
Starting with a credit report is beneficial as it provides a detailed overview of your credit history, including your overall score. It helps identify areas for improvement to enhance your chances of securing finance. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from Experian or Equifax.
- Register on the Electoral Roll
If you haven’t already, ensure you register on the electoral roll. Finance companies use this information during credit checks to verify your name and address. Being registered on the electoral roll facilitates these checks. While it won’t drastically improve your credit rating, it does help and is easy to do.
- Maintain Repayments
This might seem obvious, but consistently paying bills, such as a phone bill or credit card, is crucial. These small steps help build trust with lenders.
- Limit Applications
Submitting multiple applications results in more ‘Hard Searches’ on your credit score. If you have a low score and frequently face rejections, it can negatively impact your score. Initially, consider an eligibility check or ‘Soft Search’ instead of a formal application. While it won’t guarantee a loan offer, it provides a good indication and doesn’t appear on your credit history.