Buying an electric vehicle

Although new EVs typically have a higher upfront purchase price, most UK drivers buy cars on the used market. Prices of used EVs are increasingly comparable to petrol and diesel equivalents, and used EV purchases grew by more than 50% between early 2022 and 2023.

The purchase price premium for new EVs has fallen significantly—from around 50% in 2020 to approximately 40% by 2023. Continued reductions in battery costs are expected to narrow this gap further, with some forecasts predicting price parity before the end of the 2020s.

Owning an electric vehicle

Driver satisfaction with EVs is high. Industry surveys show that over 80% of EV owners would recommend one to friends or family, and very few would return to petrol or diesel vehicles.

Lower maintenance requirements and reduced fuel costs mean that EVs are often cheaper to run. Independent research suggests average annual savings of around £700 compared with internal combustion engine vehicles.

Battery range and reliability

Most UK car journeys are under 100 miles, well within the range of modern EVs. The average electric range of new EV models introduced in 2023 approached 300 miles, up from around 210 miles in 2020.

Real-world reliability data shows that battery-related breakdowns are rare and comparable to fuel-related breakdowns in conventional vehicles.

Charging costs

Charging an EV at home is generally significantly cheaper than refuelling a petrol or diesel car. Typical home charging costs are around 8p per mile, compared with 13–17p per mile for petrol or diesel.

Time-of-use electricity tariffs allow some drivers to reduce charging costs even further by charging overnight when demand is low and renewable generation is high.

Charging at home and away

Most EV charging in the UK takes place at home overnight. Regulations introduced in 2022 require new homes and many renovated buildings to include EV charging infrastructure, accelerating the rollout of private chargepoints.

Public charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly. The UK now has tens of thousands of public chargepoints, with strong growth along motorways, in urban areas, and in residential neighbourhoods without off-street parking.

Charging time

While home charging typically occurs overnight, rapid and ultra-rapid public chargers enable fast top-ups on long journeys. High-power chargers can add substantial range in under 30 minutes, depending on vehicle and battery size.

EV lifecycle emissions

Over their full lifecycle, EVs emit significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than petrol or diesel vehicles, even when battery production is included. As the UK electricity grid continues to decarbonise, these emissions are expected to fall further.

EVs also deliver important local air quality benefits due to zero tailpipe emissions and reduced brake dust.

Batteries: replacement, recycling, and supply

EV batteries are designed for long service life and are typically covered by warranties of up to 8 years or 100,000 miles. When batteries do reach end-of-life, manufacturers are required to ensure safe and responsible recycling.

The UK is investing heavily in domestic battery production and recycling capacity, supporting both energy security and economic growth.

Safety, towing, and practical use

EVs meet the same stringent safety standards as other vehicles. There is no evidence that EVs are more prone to fires than petrol or diesel vehicles, and modern EVs include multiple electrical and thermal safety systems.

Many EVs are now approved for towing trailers or caravans, and recovery procedures for EVs are similar to those used for automatic petrol and diesel vehicles.

Electricity demand and smart charging

Electrifying road transport is expected to increase electricity demand, but smart charging and grid upgrades are designed to manage this efficiently. Smart chargepoints allow vehicles to charge when demand is lower, reducing system costs and supporting renewable energy use.

Hydrogen versus battery electric vehicles

The UK government remains technology-neutral. While battery electric vehicles are the dominant solution for cars and vans, hydrogen and synthetic fuels may play roles in specific transport sectors and future applications.