Assumptions joe has used in the calculator
Emissions from Petrol or Diesel Car
Calculator assumes 2.4 Kg of CO2is generated by burning each Litre of fuel with 25% added to cover the Carbon emitted in the production and transportation of that fuel, giving a total of 3.0Kg CO2 emitted per Litre of fuel used. Other harmful emissions from Petrol and Diesel cars like PM2.5's (very small particles from Diesel engines) have not been considered here, but are causing significant damage to peoples health in our cities.
CO2 emitted while charging the Electric Car
CO2 emission savings assume a small electric car - Renault Zoe using 0.274kWhrs per Mile, charged with charging efficiency of 85% (i.e. there are losses in the charger and in the battery during charging of 15%).
Electricity used for charging is from mixed sources (Wind, Natural Gas, etc) with CO2 emissions at the UK average of 0.34 Kg/kWh.
Cost of installing home charger and car tax changes coming f
Cost of installing a home charger is based on what was paid for the installation at Joe's house in March 2022
Car Tax saving of £150 is an estimate used for 2023 and 2024 only, as in the UK 'Mini Budget' in autumn 2022 the Zero Tax status of Electric Cars has been removed for older cars from April 2025
Maintenance saving with an electric car
Joe used £180 per annum as saving on maintenance, with no engine oil, or oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, injectors etc, there is less routine maintenance. The regenerative braking (putting energy back into the battery by running the motor as a generator) reduces brake use and therefore brake maintenance. Joes electric car had 18% wear on brake linings after 30,000 Miles.
While there are reports of lower tyre life explained by higher weight, this has not been Joe's experience - he just changed a set of tyres after 30,000 miles; more life than on his diesel car; driving style perhaps has more influence than fuel source.