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Running Costs
On the whole, electric cars are more cost efficient than petrol cars, and they’re cheaper to refuel.
Why Go Electric?
The Benefits of Owning an Electric or Hybrid Vehicle: Saving Money and the Environment
Learn all about the benefits of electric and hybrid vehicles. From charging and taxes, to running costs, performance and much more. Learn more about how owning an electric or hybrid vehicle can benefit you and the planet.
Why Go Electric?
Thinking of making the switch to Electric? There’s a lot to consider, but here are some of the benefits to help in your decision:
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Better for the Planet
Electric vehicles are far more environmentally friendly than those powered by petrol or diesel.
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Performance
Many of the more common electric cars can now travel over 100 miles on a single charge.
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Less Tax
If you own a fully-electric vehicle, you don’t pay any road tax.
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Less Noise
Electric vehicles are much quieter than their petrol and diesel counterparts.
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Free Charging
Charging your electric vehicle can often be free in public places.
Compare electricity costs to traditional fuel costs
The average cost of electricity per kWh in the UK is around 14p (pence) including VAT. This means a full charge of a typical electric car with a 60 kWh battery would cost around £8.40. The actual cost will vary depending on the electricity tariff and charging rate used. In comparison, the average cost of petrol and diesel per litre in the UK is around £1.35 (pence per litre) and £1.43 respectively. This means the cost of fuel for a typical petrol or diesel car with a 40-litre tank would be around £54 and £57 respectively. It's worth noting that electric cars may be subject to lower taxes and reduced maintenance costs compared to petrol or diesel cars, which can make them a more cost-effective option over the long-term. Overall, the cost of electricity for electric cars is generally lower than the cost of petrol and diesel for ICE cars, but the actual cost will depend on a variety of factors including the electricity tariff, charging rate, and fuel consumption.
Efficiency
Electric cars are generally more efficient than petrol and diesel vehicles. This means that they use less energy to travel the same distance. This means that electric cars typically use less energy and therefore less fuel to travel the same distance as a gasoline car.
Maintenance Costs
Electric cars have fewer moving parts than gasoline cars. This means that there are fewer parts that need to be replaced, which results in lower maintenance costs. For example, electric cars don't have a traditional engine, transmission, or exhaust system, so there are no oil changes, transmission flushes, or exhaust repairs to worry about. Electric cars still require maintenance such as tire rotations, brake pad replacements, and coolant flushes, but overall the maintenance costs are lower than for a traditional petrol or diesel car.
Electric Vehicle Servicing
Tax incentives
By choosing to drive a vehicle with low emissions, you could significantly decrease the amount of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), which is commonly referred to as road tax, that you are required to pay. If you opt for a low-emission vehicle, you may not have to pay any road tax at all.
Learn MoreFAQs about Owning an Electric Vehicle
Do electric vehicles run out of charge quickly?
Although range depends on many factors, such as the size of the vehicle and its battery, many fully-charged electric cars are capable of between 100 and 300 miles of range.
How long will the battery of an electric car last?
Electric car batteries can last upwards of 10 years, or around 100,000 miles of use. The batteries from electric cars can also be recycled once their lifespan is over.
Are electric vehicles cheaper to maintain?
Electric cars are often cheaper to maintain in comparison to non-electric vehicles because they have no need for oil changes, they don’t have combustion engines, and there are fewer moving parts that require maintenance.
How do electric vehicles feel to drive?
If you're driving an electric vehicle for the first time, it could feel slightly different to what you’re used to. As there is no clutch, driving an electric vehicle can feel smoother than a traditional manual car. Electric vehicles are also much quieter than their petrol and diesel counterparts.
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