Electric vehicles

Watch this short video explainer on what electric vehicles are and the benefits of driving one. 

There are lots of benefits of using an electric vehicle instead of a petrol or diesel one.

• Generally cheaper to charge than the cost of refueling petrol or diesel vehicles, especially if you can charge your EV at home.
• Up to 40% lower servicing and maintenance costs than petrol or diesel vehicles due to fewer mechanical components.
• Lower vehicle exercise duty (VED) rates until 2030, for new electric cars registered on or after 1 April 2025.
  • Currently it costs £10 for the first year, compared with £120-£945 for petrol or diesel vehicles. After that, all vehicles are charged a standard rate of £165 per year.
  • For the 2025 to 2026 tax year, electric cars will continue paying £10 for the first year, compared with £110-£1,000+ for hybrid, petrol and diesel vehicles. The more tailpipe emissions produced, the more it will cost. After that, all vehicles will be charged a standard rate of £195 per year.
• As they emit zero tailpipe emissions, electric vehicle qualify for the cleaner vehicle discount on the London congestion charge until December 2025.
• Electric vehicles have lower charges from clean air zones around the UK, including London’s ultra low emission zone.
• Free parking and use of bus lanes for electric vehicles in some towns and cities. Check with your local authority to see if they have any incentives for EVs.

Charging times will vary depending on your electric vehicle, battery, and type of chargepoint used, such as a standard chargepoint or a rapid one. Check out our advice on charging electric vehicles for more information.

A full charge in a fully electric car will give a typical range of around 220 miles and cost approximately £17 if charging at home. Driving a petrol or diesel car for 220 miles could cost up to £45.

Hybrid EVs generally have an electric range of up to 50 miles. Once the electric battery starts to run out of charge, journeys continue in hybrid mode and use mainly petrol.

The cost savings will be highest when you charge at home and have access to an off-peak overnight electricity tariff. This will cost approximately £8 for a full charge for a fully electric car. Check out our advice on smart charging.

If you have solar panels, you could also charge your electric car or van during the day while the panels are generating electricity, reducing your fuel costs.

Rapid charging, for example, at motorway service stations, can be more expensive.

EV batteries are expected to last 10-20 years, depending on a number of factors. You can extend the battery life by not fully charging the battery, not letting it get too low on charge and not exposing it to extreme temperatures. For more information, check out our advice on electric vehicle batteries. 

The range of an electric vehicle varies depending on the make, model and weight, such as passengers or cargo. Most battery electric cars have a real-world range of 220 miles on a full charge. However, some electric cars have a range of over 300 miles on a single charge. 

There are several things you can do to increase the range of your EV. Find out more on our page about EV batteries. 

The cost of an electric vehicle varies depending on the make and model and battery range. If you’re unsure about what sort of electric vehicle to get, look for a dealership that’s part of the Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme. You can also find a local EV retail expert on the EVA website.

EVs are usually more expensive to buy upfront than a petrol or diesel vehicle.

• Used EVs can be a more affordable option. See our advice on buying a second hand electric car or van.
• Some workplaces may offer EV leasing through salary sacrifice schemes.
• While the UK Government doesn’t offer grants for EVs, some grants are available to help you install a home EV charger.
• If you live in Scotland, you may be able to access grants and loans for chargepoints from the Scottish Government. Find out more on our grants and loans page.

The short answer is yes, there are options available. Check out our advice on EVs for disabled drivers.