22 October 2026
Electric cars are delivering on their promise of cheaper motoring, with 94% of EV drivers surveyed reporting lower running costs than petrol or diesel. However, the benefits are not being shared equally. Drawing on 2,635 responses, our survey finds that 84% of drivers with off-street home charging report substantially lower running costs, compared with just 32% of those unable to charge at home. For households without driveways or private parking, reliance on more expensive public chargers can wipe out much of the financial advantage of going electric, creating a divide that risks holding back the next wave of motorists.
And while the public charging network continues to expand, drivers are becoming less positive about the experience it offers. Fewer than half (48%) now report improvements in public charging, down sharply from 69% last year, while 38% say recent Government announcements and policy changes have reduced their confidence in EV ownership. With ministers reviewing the UK’s EV sales targets, we’re urging Government to maintain momentum and tackle the costs and practical barriers holding drivers back: making electric cars and charging more affordable, reliable and accessible so more households can benefit.
Our CEO, Dr Vicky Edmonds, said:
“Electric cars work. The people driving them are saving money, they love their cars, and most wouldn’t dream of going back. But there’s a huge catch: right now, the biggest savings are still overwhelmingly going to people who have a driveway and can charge cheaply at home.
“Imagine being told you could save hundreds of pounds a year by switching to electric, only to discover that because you live in a flat or don’t have a driveway, charging your car could cost you more than petrol. Or that you simply can’t afford the car in the first place. That’s not fair, and it’s a huge missed opportunity.”
Those already driving electric are hardly looking back, with 93% saying their next car will also be an EV. However, the survey also highlights how heavily electric car ownership still depends on home charging. Some 88% of EV respondents can charge from their own electricity supply, while drivers relying on public chargepoints generally face much higher prices.
Upfront cost remains another major hurdle. More than half (52%) of EV drivers surveyed paid more for their electric car than they would have for a comparable petrol or diesel model, while 41% of petrol and diesel respondents cite purchase cost as a key barrier to switching.
Public charging is also emerging as a growing source of frustration. Despite more chargepoints being installed across the country, drivers continue to report broken chargers, unclear prices and complicated payment processes. Some 42% say public charging costs have risen over the past year, while 44% of those who experienced a problem either did not know how to report it, could not contact the operator or received no response.
The survey also exposes concerns about confidence in the wider transition. Just 5% of EV drivers say recent Government announcements and policy changes have increased their confidence in ownership, while 71% believe the public debate around EVs does not accurately reflect their own experience.
These findings come as ministers review the UK’s electric vehicle sales targets, amid continued debate about the pace of the transition and proposals for a new pay-per-mile tax on electric cars.
We’re calling on Government and industry to maintain a clear and consistent direction for the transition, while taking practical action to bring more drivers on board.Our priorities include lower-cost leasing schemes for households on modest incomes, reducing public charging costs, and stronger independent oversight of chargepoint standards and complaints.
“At precisely the moment we need to be giving people confidence to make the switch, the constant political back-and-forth over EV targets and new taxes is creating more uncertainty. We should be building on the success we’ve achieved, not giving people reasons to hesitate.
“The demand is there. We need to stop arguing about targets and start making it easier for people to choose electric. That means bringing down the cost of cars and charging, making the public network work properly, and giving drivers confidence that going electric is the right decision for them and their families.”
Mark McCall, Chair of EVA Northern Ireland, said:
“The EVA England survey once again shows that EV drivers overwhelmingly love their vehicles, the savings they deliver and the driving experience they offer. What we need now is a consistent, long-term approach from government, replacing the mixed messages of recent years with a clear and confident path towards vastly more efficient transport. This transition also presents a huge opportunity to power our vehicles with clean, affordable, indigenous energy, reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels and the price shocks they continue to bring.”
Neil Swanson, Director of EVA Scotland, said:
“We welcome the positive response from EV drivers in Scotland, and are encouraged by the levels of confidence we’re seeing among those considering the switch. Existing EV drivers make a strong case for cleaner, quieter motoring, one they are happy to share with friends and family. Home charging remains the greatest enabler, and more must be done to ensure a just transition for all.”
Paul Bevan, Cadeirydd/Chair of EVA Cymru, said:
“Even though the gap for EV infrastructure in Wales is narrowing, the data in the survey highlights that confidence amongst drivers is still being impacted by decisions made at Westminster. What is clear though is that when people switch to EV they stick with them, and more people are making the choice each day.”