Should I Switch To An Electric Car?
At the end of October 2024, the UK had just under 1.3 million electric cars, representing 3.83% of the 34 million vehicles on the road that are fully electric. This figure has grown rapidly between 2020 and 2024.
Many people want to reduce their carbon footprint, but barriers to switching to an electric car remain. In a study conducted earlier this year, 68% of respondents identified price as the biggest obstacle to making the switch. Additionally, we know that first-time EV drivers often have concerns about charging infrastructure and range anxiety.
This article will consider why you should make the switch to electric, by looking at your driving habits, common concerns, the true cost equation and charging solutions for your current living situation.
Is Now The Right Time To Switch?
The planet is on track for a temperature increase of 2.7 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average by the end of the century if current policies remain unchanged. This would surpass the critical 1.5-degree Celsius threshold agreed upon by global nations at COP 2015. The climate crisis is a pressing issue, and everyone can contribute by making small changes in their daily lives to help slow global warming. Transportation is one of the largest sources of daily emissions for the average person, making the switch to an electric car a meaningful step in reducing your carbon footprint.
As mentioned in the introduction, the rate of EV adoption in the UK is growing year-on-year. The table below shows the number of registrations per car type (diesel, petrol, hybrid, battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid) between January and August 2024.
| Car Type | YTD 2024 | YTD 2023 | % Change | Market Share 2024 | Market Share 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 80,093 | 92,043 | -13% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| Petrol | 674,312 | 669,034 | 0.8% | 54.4% | 56.7% |
| BEV | 213,544 | 193,221 | 10.5% | 17.2% | 16.4% |
| PHEV | 100,457 | 80,458 | 24.9% | 8.1% | 6.8% |
| HEV | 170,449 | 144,542 | 17.99% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
This shows more people are making the switch to hybrid and electric cars, here are the key figures:
The number of diesel cars registered between 2023 and 2024 has fallen by 13%,
Battery electric vehicles have increased between 2023 and 2024 by 10.5%
The 2024 market share of plug-in hybrid vehicles has increased from 6.8% in 2023 to 8.1%.
Another key factor to consider is the UK government’s plan to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. Electric vehicles are becoming more affordable as more manufacturers enter the EV market, providing a wider range of options. Additionally, the growing used electric car market is helping to reduce the upfront cost barrier, making EVs more accessible to a broader audience. With 2030 fast approaching, there is no time like the present.
What Are Your Driving Habits?
Before committing to an electric car, it’s important to evaluate your driving habits and determine whether an EV can meet your needs for getting from A to B.
Real-World Range Vs Advertised Range
The real-world range of an electric car can differ greatly from the advertised range. Several factors affect the real-world range of a car such as temperature, weight and driving style (try to avoid hard acceleration if possible).
Here are some examples of how these two figures differ for popular electric cars:
| Make and Model | Advertised Range | Real-World Range | Shortfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor | 406 Miles | 333 Miles | 18% |
| Renault Scenic E-Tech Long Range Techno | 379 Miles | 322 Miles | 15.2% |
| Kia EV9 RWD Air | 349 Miles | 314 Miles | 10% |
| Cupra Born VZ | 334 Miles | 294 Miles | 11.9% |
| Tesla Model 3 RWD | 318 Miles | 255 Miles | 19.7% |
| Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range Ultra | 295 Miles | 242 Miles | 17.9% |
Battery Efficiency In Different Seasons
Temperature and seasonal changes can impact the range and performance of an EV. For instance, in winter, electric vehicles typically experience an estimated 15–20% reduction in range due to colder temperatures. This is an important consideration if you live in a colder climate or an area with pronounced seasonal shifts. However, there are steps you can take to improve your EV’s performance in winter, such as planning routes with charging stops or pre-heating the vehicle while it’s plugged in.
Impact Of Driving Style On Range
Your driving style also has an impact on the range of an electric vehicle, such as:
Speed - driving at high speeds reduces the efficiency of your car. The battery has to work harder to overcome resistance which drains the battery faster.
Braking - harsh braking requires more energy and prevents the car from using regenerative braking (which captures the energy that is usually lost when braking).
Acceleration - aggressive acceleration drains the battery quickly.
To maximise the range of an electric car, you can:
Accelerate smoothly and do not exceed the speed limit,
Use regenerative braking as much as possible,
Set your car to finish charging just before you head out so the battery is still warm,
Defrost and heat your car while it is still plugged in.
Motorway Vs City Driving: Efficiency Differences
Electric cars are generally more efficient for city driving thanks to regenerative braking, which recovers energy during deceleration. This feature works best in urban areas with lower speeds and frequent stops. On motorways, however, EVs consume more energy at higher speeds due to increased air resistance - opposite to the efficiency patterns of petrol and diesel cars!
The True Cost Equation
A common dilemma is that the upfront cost of purchasing an electric car can be higher, but once you own one, the lower cost of electricity and overall running expenses quickly make up for it.
Purchase Price Vs Lifetime Savings
Most drivers in the UK will purchase their car secondhand (around 80%) and industry intelligence suggests that some EVs on the used car market are now similar in price to their petrol and diesel equivalents. Because more people are now buying electric cars, as seen in the table above, it means there is now a larger pool of secondhand EVs available to choose from.
The price gap for new EVs has continued to decrease over the past few years and according to industry data, the purchase premium of an EV, relative to an equivalent internal combustion engine, has dropped from 50% in 2020 to 40% in 2023.
In most cases, an EV is cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel car, primarily due to lower maintenance and repair costs. Recent independent research suggests that driving an EV could save around £700 per year. It is also predicted that someone buying a new EV will recoup the additional upfront cost within five years, thanks to lower running costs.
Maintenance Savings
Electric cars require different servicing and maintenance compared to a petrol or diesel car. The electric vehicle drivetrain has fewer moving parts compared to an internal combustion engine, making maintenance simpler and more cost-effective. While the process for electric cars is similar to that of petrol cars, regular maintenance, such as keeping tyres at the recommended pressure, is essential. Electric cars, being heavier due to the battery’s weight, can experience faster tyre wear, which should be considered. Although electric cars have conventional disc brakes, these are mainly a backup to the regenerative braking system, which is used more frequently.
According to BookMyGarage, the average cost of servicing an electric car ranges from £100 to £250, depending on the make and model, which is less than servicing an internal combustion engine (ICE) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). An average EV service costs £103, compared to £153 for a PHEV, £151 for a petrol car, and £163 for a diesel car. Learn more about the general costs of running an electric car here.
Battery Warranty Considerations
As an EV driver, it’s crucial to care for your car’s battery, despite the statistics mentioned above. Neglecting battery maintenance can cause it to degrade much faster than if you take small steps to prevent it. There are two types of battery ageing: calendar ageing and cyclic ageing. Calendar ageing is an unavoidable aspect of battery wear as the battery grows older and loses its ability to hold as much power. Cyclic ageing, on the other hand, results from how you charge and recharge the electric car. While EV batteries are designed to last longer than other electronic devices, like smartphones, certain charging habits can shorten their lifespan.
An electric car battery typically lasts between 8 to 15 years, covering 100,000 to 200,000 miles. Similarly, according to Leaseloco, a well-maintained petrol car lasts around 11 to 14 years or 200,000 miles, while the average diesel car lasts about 30 years or 1,000,000 miles. To address concerns, several manufacturers, including Jaguar, Nissan, Renault, and Tesla, offer eight-year warranties on their batteries. Real-world evidence suggests that battery decay rates are generally lower than expected, with some manufacturers anticipating their batteries may outlast the vehicle, particularly when properly maintained.
Salary Sacrifice Schemes
Many businesses now offer EV salary sacrifice schemes to encourage employees to drive more sustainably. Schemes like The Electric Car Scheme can help employees save between 20-50% on the cost of an electric car by making payments from their salary before tax. In many cases, these schemes also include additional benefits such as breakdown cover, servicing, maintenance, and even tyres, allowing employees to save on these services as well by paying before tax.
Charging Solutions For Different Living Situations
A key factor to consider when switching to an electric car is how you’ll charge it. You’ll need to think about your options, whether you have a place for a home charger or don’t have a driveway. Here are some important things to consider when it comes to charging your electric car:
Home Charging Options
If you can charge your electric car at home, you will benefit from having the most convenient and cheapest way to charge your car. Charging an electric car at home works out to be much cheaper than filling up a traditional petrol or diesel car, especially if you’re an EV tariff. Before setting up a home EV charger, you should consider the following:
Do you have off-street parking? You need to have off-street parking, like a garage or driveway. If not, you can use alternative methods like using the public charging network or charging at work.
Do you have enough capacity to support a home charger? Almost all homes are capable of supporting an EV charger. Your household electric infrastructure will need to be instructed by a qualified technician so you’re aware of your options.
Through The Electric Car Scheme, our customers can choose to salary sacrifice the cost of a home charger along with installation. We have partnered with Smart Home Charge to provide our partners with good quality and great-priced home chargers.
Government Grants Available
There are several government grants available to encourage sustainable choices and assist with EV charging. These include the plug-in car grant, the electric vehicle chargepoint grant, the on-street residential chargepoint scheme, and the workplace charging scheme.
Community Charging Networks
Community charging is a great way of charging your car. We have partnered with Co Charger, an app that facilitates the “matchmaking” between people with chargers and those who need to charge their electric cars. It manages communication, bookings, and payments, making the process quick, simple, and hassle-free.
With over 5,000 hosts from Jersey to Orkney, Co Charger is the UK’s leading community. Most people in the UK already live within a 10-minute walk of a neighbour ready and willing to rent their charger—Co Charger is here to help!
Workplace Charging
Office charging involves installing EV chargers at workplaces such as offices, car parks, or warehouses. Setting up office charging is crucial for supporting employees who may not have access to a home charger. The benefits of office charging are:
Fantastic benefit for your team,
Helps to hit your sustainability goals,
Future-proof your workplace.
At The Electric Car Scheeme, we have two office charging partners that offer two unique funding options based on your needs.
Public Charging
While public charging can be more expensive, it’s the most convenient option when you’re on the go. With over 45,000 charge points nationwide, finding a charging station in the UK is becoming less stressful.
Smart Apps And Planning Tools
Several smart apps are now available to make journey planning easier on the go. They can help you find charging stations, manage your battery, receive real-time updates on charging availability, track your charging progress, and pay for charging.
The Charge Scheme
At The Electric Car Scheme, we recently launched a new market-leading product to make EV charging more affordable through salary sacrifice, called The Charge Scheme. This works on all EV charging, whether at home, publicly or at work. The Charge Scheme works in conjunction with all EV salary sacrifice schemes and is the only EV charging salary sacrifice solution.
Common Concerns Addressed
We’ve provided useful tips on extending your car’s lifespan, charging efficiently, and what costs to expect.
Battery Degradation Realities
Battery degradation is frequently referred to when discussing electric cars. Lithium batteries consist of individual cells, each comprising a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode). In the process of charging and discharging, lithium ions traverse between the anode and cathode, generating the necessary power for your vehicle. Within the battery, a combination of chemical reactions and physical transformations takes place, resulting in the depletion of lithium ions and a restructuring of the battery's chemical composition.
As mentioned previously, an EV battery is expected to have a lifespan of 8-15 years and will have a range of between 100,000 and 200,000 miles.
Long Journey Planning
Planning a long journey in an electric car is similar to planning one in a petrol or diesel car. Things you need to consider include:
Charging - Plan stops to charge your EV before your battery gets too low. Before leaving, make sure your battery is charged fully or at least 80%.
Check your tyres, lights and brakes before leaving.
Towing Capabilities And Impact
You can tow with an electric vehicle, though it will affect range and efficiency. Towing a lightweight trailer may reduce range by 25–30%, while heavier loads can cut it by up to 50%. Efficiency also drops due to reduced regenerative braking. Towing can put extra strain on the brakes and suspension, increasing wear and tear. Additionally, most charging bays aren’t designed for vehicles with trailers, so you may need to unhitch before charging.
A couple of things to consider before you tow with an EV:
Check the towing capacity of your car - not all EVs are approved for towing, so it’s very important to check the recommended limits,
Consider the load you want to tow,
Consider the terrain - towing on hilly or uneven terrain uses more energy,
Consider your driving speed,
Make sure you have the right insurance coverage.
Making The Switch: Practical Steps
Interested in making the switch? Here are some practical considerations to take before making the change.
Research
The first step in choosing the right electric car is research! Consider how you’ll use the car, focusing on factors like:
Range - how long is your daily commute, where do you want to drive your car,
Charging,
Warranties,
How easy is it to get maintenance and service on the car?
Test Drive Recommendations
Book a test drive to see if it suits your needs and feels comfortable, especially if it’s your first time driving an electric car. Every car brand offers test drives and it’s the best way to know if a car is right for you.
Your Budget
The most important factor to consider is your budget and how you want to pay for your car. Whether you want to buy your EV outright, brand-new or used, whether your company offers a company car, EV salary sacrifice or just a generic car lease. Of course, there are positives and negatives to each option and you have to choose the one that suits you best!
Essential Features/Accessories
Consider the features and accessories you want in your electric car. Many EVs now offer driving assistance features, multiple charging port options, and advanced infotainment systems, which can add significant value.
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EV salary sacrifice is the most affordable way to drive an electric car in the UK. Companies offer this as an employee benefit to add value to the workplace whilst hitting key sustainability goals. We have now also launched The Charge Scheme to make EV charging cheaper at home, work or on the go through salary sacrifice. This is a market leading product and works in conjunction with any EV salary sacrifice scheme. You can learn more about The Electric Car Scheme and how it works here.
