Should your next Motability car be an electric one?

Thinking of the Motability Scheme?

If you’ve not considered making the switch from petrol or diesel to electric, there’s never been a better time. 

The electric car market is the best it’s ever been, with brands like BYD bringing a sense of fun back to the automotive world, alongside some of the best market-leading technology that makes their cars as exciting as they are safe. 

But should you get an electric car on the BYD South West Motability Scheme? 

What is the Motability Scheme?

Motability is the hassle-free way to lease a car for disabled people.  

In exchange for all, or a portion of, your qualifying mobility allowance, you can lease a brand-new vehicle fitted with the adaptations you need. 

The payments go straight from your provider, depending on your specific mobility allowance, to Motability, so you don’t have to worry. As long as you have at least 12 months left on your award, you can enjoy the benefits of a brand-new car without any of the fuss. 

You don’t even have to be the one driving the car. With the ability to have up to three named drivers on your insurance, you can have friends, family or carers be your main driver. 

What are the benefits of the Motability Scheme?

There are numerous benefits to leasing your next car through the Motability scheme.  

Everything is included in your package, including insurance, breakdown cover, servicing and MOT, which means you don’t have to worry about finding the cash to pay for it every month. 

The only additional cost comes in the form of an advance payment before your lease starts, but not every car requires this. 

Provided you have been awarded one of the qualifying mobility allowances, BYD and Motability can sort it all out for you. 

And, if you continue with the scheme, you’ll be able to drive a new car every three years, benefiting from the most up-to-date tech every time you hand your old car back and pick up the next one.  

If you need adaptations to make driving or travelling easier for you, most of the popular ones – such as hand controls, pedal modifications, electronic accelerators and steering aids – can be added free of charge before you collect the car from the dealership.  

What are the benefits of leasing an electric vehicle?

With fuel prices constantly rising, electric vehicles are becoming a popular choice. 

By switching to electric, you not only save money on fuel, but running costs also tend to be lower, and they require less maintenance and servicing.  

Fewer moving parts equals an easier – and cheaper – life for you. 

But price isn’t the only reason why so many people are making the switch from petrol and diesel to electric. 

Though EVs can have a higher upfront cost – though this isn’t such a worry if you’re leasing through the Motability Scheme– they are also more reliable because they have less moving parts to go wrong, and they perform better in safety tests. 

Not only are they newer, packed with the latest driver assistance aids, but their centre of gravity is also lower which reduces the risk of rollovers. 

They are also very comfortable, with a smooth and quiet ride which, if you have any sensitivities to noise, can make long and short journeys much easier.  

Are EVs suitable for disabled people?

Yes, electric cars are an excellent option for disabled people. 

Many of the benefits listed above can make life a lot easier for you, especially if you have any mobility restrictions.  

Electric vehicles come equipped with many of the latest safety aids to make driving easier and safer for everyone, while the smooth drive and lack of engine noise and vibration can make the entire journey more comfortable and reduce strain on joints and muscles. 

There are also fewer regular maintenance checks to carry out, like checking oil levels, which can make life easier and increase your independence if this is something you struggle with. 

The ‘plug and go’ nature of EV charging also makes life easier for you if you struggle to grip something for a long time, like a fuel nozzle, as you simply plug the charger into your car and leave it for however long you fancy. 

Are there any cons to leasing an EV?

There are some downsides to electric vehicles, mainly surrounding charging. 

While there is a lot of work going into expanding the public network of chargers up and down the country, there are some areas that have more chargers than others and where it is a lot easier to own an EV. 

Not all public chargers are accessible either, which could pose a problem for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. 

However, there is also work going on between the Government and Motability to increase the accessibility of public EV chargers, and Zap-Map, who list the location of every public charging point in the UK, have accessibility information available both on the web and on their app. 

The other benefit of leasing your car through Motability is the support you’ll get as you transition into an electric vehicle. 

When you lease your EV through Motability, you can choose between either a home charge point installation or a bp pulse charging subscription, which gives you access to one of the largest public charging networks across the UK. 

A home charge point is likely to be the ideal solution for you, however, as you can get it installed at the right height for you, and your car will always be juiced up and ready to go providing you plug it in overnight several times a week. 

Many electricity providers also have special tariffs for EV drivers, that allow you to take advantage of preferential overnight charging rates, which can bring the costs of your car down even further. 

Why should I get a BYD Motability car?

The BYD ATTO 3 is an excellent option for your next Motability car. 

Not only is it produced by the world’s biggest EV manufacturer, but the nature of the car, the 260-mile range and the safety of the Blade Battery makes it one of the safest – and best – options. 

It’s also available with no advance payment, meaning that you won’t have to find the upfront investment in order to lease the BYD ATTO 3 through Motability. 

The boot is 440L, which is enough space for four suitcases, and with the seats down this increases to 1,338L. A foldable wheelchair should fit in with some ease, though our dedicated BYD Motability Specialists are on hand to help you work out if the ATTO 3 will meet your needs. 

And because it’s an SUV, it has a raised seating position, which makes it easier to get in and out of than something lower to the ground. 

There’s no forgetting the fun extras that the ATTO 3 packs in either. It’s got some of the best technology on the market, including the rotating touchscreen that dominates the dashboard. 

And if you fancy yourself a bit of a musician, you’ll be able to create tunes on the move with the guitar string pockets. 

Practical and fun, the BYD ATTO 3 ticks all the boxes. 

Its smaller sibling, the BYD Dolphin, is now available on Motability so if you’re after something a little smaller for your everyday runaround, the BYD Dolphin might be the perfect option for you.

However, both are available to test drive at our BYD Exeter showroom, just a stone’s throw from the M5 and the A30, so you can get a feel for which BYD Motability car is the right one for you.