20 June 2025
It can be easy to forget when headlines focus on consumer teething issues or the odd isolated negative cases, that over 91% of EV drivers would never switch back to an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Car. That’s a level of satisfaction that’s hard to match in any other market, unless you’re KitKat!
Sure, we might disagree on the best model, paint colour or roaming app, but if there’s something we can agree on, it’s that we wouldn’t switch back!
Don’t believe us? Here’s what real EV drivers from across the country have to say about their experience:
“We would recommend EV ownership to anyone. The running costs are noticeably lower; reliability is high; there is an increasing number of more affordable EVs coming to market; technology including batteries is improving vehicle range year by year; driving an EV is a notable contribution to the climate crisis which is increased, along with your self satisfaction level, when incorporated into your home energy ecosystem. The driving & passenger experience is better with an EV too.”
“Driving an EV is a far nicer, cheaper, less polluting experience than driving an ICE car.”
“I find EVs are nicer to drive, cheaper to run and easier to fuel than ICE cars. Also its nice not to have diesel and petrol smells polluting the air.”
“It’s been great over the past 4 years, and we have now invested in a second EV. The driving experience – responsiveness at junctions, etc – is a major benefit.”
“Absolutely love them, and they get better and better. If you have a driveway (like me), I don’t think there is a legitimate excuse to choose an ICE car over an EV if you are buying new.”
“I love my EV – nice to drive, saves me money and is kinder to the climate.”
“My EV is the best car I’ve ever owned. It’s easier to drive and doesn’t pollute.”
“I find the driving experience calming, smooth, and quiet. A great experience.”
“I love my EV and would never go back to an ICE car. Although I can go days without driving, I have also driven from Hampshire to Scotland and back twice in the past 5 years.”
“I love the EV experience. I’ve driven nearly 50,000 miles in the UK in the last two years, I have never had a charging issue, and I’ve always found cheap charging.”
“15 years of EV ownership. Average 14,000 miles a year. No incentive to go back to petrol.”
“We are a family of 4 and do lots of weekends away and day trips. With a bit of prep (which we do anyway), charging has never been an issue for us. I have even taken the car to France via the Dover ferries. Did 1000+ miles and only spent £100 on charging for the whole journey.”
“Love our EVs, fully EV family now.”
“I am a 75-year-old woman. Now I have experienced driving an EV, I will not go back to a petrol/diesel car. I’m a convert, I love it!!”
“Through the mobility scheme, I managed to lease an expensive EV for the same monthly price as a far cheaper ICE car.”
“I am never going to be able to have a charger at home. People REALLY need to know it is totally possible to run an EV without your own charger.”
“We absolutely love our EV. We do occasionally have range anxiety and need more charging points, especially at motorway service stations. We are not tech-savvy and find having multiple apps to be able to use charge points confusing. Simplifying charging in public spaces will take away a lot of people’s anxiety for EVs.”
“Waiting 15 minutes to top my car up on long journeys has meant I’m more relaxed when I rejoin the traffic.”
“Absolutely love it, such a great experience. As batteries improve and ranges increase over the next 5 years, and cheaper models come to market, it can only get better.”
“Owning an EV is initially like learning a new language – how and when to charge, real-life range, resolving common issues – once owners have confidence, then in my experience, they’re very happy and wouldn’t go back, but initially it’s a step out of your comfort zone.”
“I have driven my car on many long journeys, and personally, the need to stop after every 2.5 hours seems sensible anyway!”
“I’ve been a BEV driver since 2016, and my wife since 2022. Neither of us would ever go back to an ICE car.”
“I love my car, and once my salary sacrifice ends, I am unlikely to ever go back to an ICE car.”
“My electric car is more fun to drive than my husband’s BMW 3 Series coupe ever was. To top it off, it’s miles better for the environment.”
“Love it, best thing we’ve ever done!”
“I’ve been driving for over 40 years, and my EV is the best car I’ve ever driven. It’s a joy to drive. I would never go back to a petrol/diesel car.”
“5 years of EV ownership- we would never go back, we love it.”
“I am now shocked by how much petrol/diesel costs. I had to fill up a courtesy car recently, which was around £45, to give me about 400 miles of driving. For the same cost, using home charging would give over 2200 miles in my EV. I would never go back to an ICE vehicle.”
“I’ve been driving for over 40 years, and my EV is the best car I’ve ever driven. It’s a joy to drive. I would never go back to a petrol/diesel car.”
“I’m a petrolhead, really enjoy performance cars. But I wish I’d gone EV years before I did. The money we’ve saved has been astonishing.”
At EVA England, our mission is to make sure that everyone gets to enjoy this positive EV experience, no matter where they live, how much they earn, or what their access needs are.
That’s why we campaign for government policies and industry changes that will make the transition to electric smoother and faster, working towards a transport system that is cleaner, fairer, and fit for the future. So every driver gets to enjoy the electric road ahead.
Want to support our work? Become an EVA England member today!
EVA England’s role is to represent the people behind the wheel – their experiences, frustrations, and ideas – so that policies are shaped to make electric driving work for all. Putting the drivers front and centre is key to delivering and meeting the goals of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
Every year, we run the Great Charging Survey, one of the largest independent surveys of EV drivers in the UK, offering invaluable insights into EV drivers’ experiences, charging habits, and consumer confidence.
Last year’s iteration of the Great EV Charging Survey underscored another resounding ‘Yes’ from EV drivers, with over 9 out of 10 drivers saying they would not return to a petrol or diesel car, backed up by the 86% who are finding EVs cheaper to run.
Our surveys give us invaluable year-on-year comparisons, providing us with the opportunity to reflect on where the sector is headed, which Government policies are having a tangible impact on EV drivers, and which are being most called for next by drivers themselves. These direct insights from drivers also help us shape our campaign work, helping us understand not just what isn’t working, but also champion what is.
Our 2025 edition of the survey is launching soon, and we’re looking for sponsors to help us reach even more drivers, gather more insights and amplify even more positive stories.
To sponsor the Great British EV Survey, get in touch with us today.