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Go Electric for Go Green Week

2016’s National Go Green Week commences on Monday 8th February, and runs until Saturday 13th February. With so many sustainable initiatives taking place all over the country, we at Snows would like to take the opportunity to reiterate the fantastic benefits of electric driving. Better for the environment and for your wallet, vehicles which are powered fully or in part by electricity bring the future to today. Take a look at our quick and easy guide below to see how electric driving could work for you.


What is a hybrid?

The Lexus IS 300h is just one of the many models offered as a hybrid by the prestigious marque

Hybrid vehicles incorporate a traditional combustion engine (either petrol or diesel) with an electric motor. They are designed to work in harmony in order to create the optimum output and driving experience. The electric motor aids the other engine, providing a boost of power when it’s required.


What is a Plug-In Hybrid Electric?

The BMW 3 series saloon PHEV flawlessly combines style with sustainability

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (or PHEVs) work in a similar way to the hybrid vehicles described above, but they often have larger electric batteries which can be charged from the mains. This means that, for a time, they can operate in purely electric mode without using a drop of fuel. If you’re driving in the city, it can mean that you hardly ever use fuel at all, particularly if you charge the vehicle each evening in order to permit fully electric mode.


What about fully electric vehicles?

The BMW i8 speaks for itself: the epitome of luxury, it’s the gateway to the future

Fully electric vehicles (EVs) have no traditional combustion engine. Instead, a large battery powers the car on a day-to-day basis, which is recharged by connecting to a power source.

Advantages of electric driving

The benefits of electric driving are numerous; from providing a quieter driving experience to helping the environment, and saving you money, there are plenty of reasons to Go Green.

Electric batteries are quieter than traditional combustion engines, meaning that your drive will be a lot more relaxed. In addition, hybrid vehicles generally manage more miles per gallon than solely combustion engine powered cars, because fuel is not used continuously. For the same reason, they release fewer emissions and therefore help to work towards a cleaner, greener environment.

There are advantages for your pocket too, as financial benefits come from several sources. Although electric vehicles can cost more than traditional combustion fuelled cars in initial outlay, this cost can be earned back. For a start, with the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG), the government can offer a helping hand to buyers of electric vehicles, up to the value of £5,000 (or up to £4,500 from 1st March 2016).

The amount granted is dependent on the amount of CO2 emitted by the vehicle, split into three categories:

  • Category 1 – CO₂ emissions of less than 50g/km and a zero emission range of at least 70 miles
  • Category 2 – CO₂ emissions of less than 50g/km and a zero emission range between 10 and 69 miles
  • Category 3 – CO₂ emissions of 50 to 75g/km and a zero emission range of at least 20 miles

This money will come off the basic price of the car, up to £5000 regardless of category.

However, from 1st March 2016 this will change, and the maximum grant will be £4,500 in Category 1, and £2,500 in Categories 2 or 3.

What’s more, electric vehicles are often exempt from Vehicle Tax. Any car which produces CO2 emissions of under 130g/km (which many hybrids do) is not eligible for this tax, meaning that you as an owner save money. Add this benefit to the cost saving from not having to top up with fuel as often (or at all!), and the savings made by driving an electrically powered vehicle really make themselves known.

Electric Week

Representing ten different marques, many of which offer hybrid or fully electric vehicles, you’re sure to find a vehicle at Snows that suits your tastes.

Due to the change in the PICG scheme, motorists considering purchasing a new vehicle might determine that it would be better to do so sooner rather than later. BMWi Electric Week, which will be taking place at Snows BMW Portsmouth, presents a fantastic opportunity to learn more about electric driving. Commencing on Saturday 20th February, Electric Week presents a chance for communities to really get involved with the Go Green theme, as a series of events and activities will be taking place to promote electric driving. Stay tuned to our blog for more information next week!


Snows has 27 dealerships across the South of England, stretching from Plymouth to Guildford, and including the Isle of Wight. The Group prides itself on its reputation and dedication to delivering excellent customer service, and is rewarded by the fact that over half of its business comes from returning customers. With Snows, driving becomes an experience, rather than a chore.

Author: Charlotte Saunders

Posted on 08/02/2016 by Snows in BMW, Lexus, Toyota with no comments