One of the main benefits of EVs is their lower running costs – and with prices coming down, they’re now more accessible than ever:
- There are now over 100 different EV models on offer, with nearly a third priced under £30,000. And for those considering the second-hand market, 2 in 5 used EVs are available for less than £20,000.
- Charging their batteries is nearly always cheaper than filling up a petrol or diesel car – particularly if you charge at home. Indeed, electricity costs for battery electric vehicles can be around one-fifth of the cost of petrol, with some drivers powering their cars for as little as 2p per mile.
- EVs have fewer parts and use a different breaking method compared to ICE vehicles, which means lower running costs as there’s less that needs to be looked at. Servicing also tends to cost less.
Explore the Cost of Driving Electric report by EV UK to see how you can save thousands by switching to an EV!
- EVs are an environmentally friendly alternative to petrol or diesel cars as they have a lower carbon footprint and generate much less air pollution: they have zero tailpipe emissions of CO2, NOx and particulates at all times in the case of battery electric vehicles, or when running in all-electric mode for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). So they don’t only help in the fights against climate change, it also helps with local air quality.
- Zero emission at the tailpipe means that EVs will attract no or lower charges from Clean Air Zones being implemented around the UK and London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
If you want to check how much CO2 an EV can save compared to a diesel or petrol car over its lifetime, Transport & Environment (T&E) have put together this tool that compiles all the most up-to-date data on CO2 emissions linked to the use of an electric, petrol or diesel car.
- EVs offer a better driving experience than petrol and diesel cars:
They have instant available torque at all times for smooth, responsive acceleration, and offer regenerative breaking when easing off the accelerator. They also tend to have a low centre of gravity, which improves handling and safety. With only one gear to speak of, they’re very easy to drive as they are similar in practice to an automatic petrol or diesel car.
- EVs are also much quieter compared to petrol or diesel cars. In fact, they are so quiet that they are now required to have an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) to emit a sound when reversing or travelling below 12mph to avoid accidents.
- EVs attract just 3% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax for 2025/26, potentially saving company car drivers thousands of pounds per year. The rate will increase by 1% annually until 2027, then by 2% annually until capping at 9% in 2029 – significantly below the maximum 39% rate for conventional vehicles.
- EVs benefit from Government grants to install chargers for landlords and renters, as well for businesses to install workplace charge points.
- There are grants for purchasing wheelchair accessible vehicles, as well as EV vans, trucks and taxis.
- Many companies offer salary sacrifice schemes for EVs, which can offer large savings on renting an EV depending on your tax band.
- Charging your car at home overnight means no more trips to petrol stations! And as the range of EVs keep on improving, this also reduce the need to stop for public charging.
- With smart charging, drivers can benefit from cheaper electricity and supports stabilisation of the electricity network.
- EV batteries can also last longer than petrol and diesel engines with an 8-year battery warranty as standard.
