Why commuting in an electric car has transformed my journey, and my wallet

We caught up with Gareth Hollins, Head of Business at Lloyd Kia West Cumbria, to hear about his experience commuting the 39 miles each way from Penrith to Workington in an electric vehicle – and why he wouldn’t go back to petrol or diesel.

Like many drivers, Gareth was initially hesitant about switching to an electric car. But after driving a Kia EV9 for several months, which has a range of up to 349 miles* on a single charge, he’s now convinced it was the best decision he could have made.
 

Convenience at home and on the road

“There’s a common misconception that charging an EV is inconvenient, especially when relying on public charging networks,” Gareth explains. “To make the transition easier, I installed a home charger. Now, I simply arrive home, plug in the cable, lock the car, and let the programmed charging schedule do the rest. Even my 8-year-old son enjoys helping with this routine!"

Charging overnight during off-peak hours means Gareth benefits from cheaper electricity rates, gaining around 80 miles of range between midnight and 5 a.m. – more than enough for his daily commute. The below EV Charging History shows that it cost Gareth just £19.34 for his weekly commute from Penrith to Workington and back to Penrith, Monday to Friday. On average, a petrol car would have cost between £51.10 and £65.70, depending on the vehicle's fuel efficiency, and from £44 to £53.90 for a diesel car. 

A more efficient and cost-effective solution

“In comparison, fuelling up a petrol or diesel car feels far more time-consuming. Instead of waiting in line for a pump, standing in all weather conditions while the tank fills, and then queuing to pay, I can charge my EV at home while I relax. And if I need extra miles, I can switch to immediate charging at home – which, even at a higher rate, is still significantly cheaper than filling a fuel tank.” 

When longer journeys require public charging, Gareth has a strategy in place.

“The EV9’s ultra-fast charging capability means I can go from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes with a high-voltage DC fast charger. Rather than stopping at a typical motorway service station, I take a short detour to a public charging facility with a coffee shop. It’s no different from our usual motorway breaks, and we’ve even found our favourite stops on the M6 and M5.”
 

Saving money while driving smarter

Not only has switching to an electric car saved Gareth time and hassle, but it has also had a positive impact on his finances.

“The cost of charging – even at public stations – is comparable to the price of fuel, but home charging offers incredible savings. When you consider the lower maintenance costs of an EV compared to a combustion engine vehicle, the financial benefits add up quickly.”
 

Lower maintenance costs explained

Fewer Moving Parts
With fewer moving parts, EVs, including the Kia EV9, have significantly fewer moving parts compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. As there is no engine, transmission, timing belt, fuel system, or exhaust system, means there are fewer components that can wear out or fail.

No Oil Changes
Unlike petrol or diesel engines, EVs don’t require oil changes, spark plugs, or fuel filters.

Regenerative Braking
The Kia EV9 uses regenerative braking, which reduces wear on the brake pads and extends their lifespan compared to traditional cars.

Battery and Motor Maintenance
The primary concerns for an EV are the battery and electric motor. Kia offers 7-year or 100,000 mile battery warranty, so major repairs may be covered.

Routine Maintenance
EVs still need tire rotations, brake fluid changes, cabin air filter replacements and battery coolant checks, but these are generally less frequent and cheaper than maintaining a petrol or diesel vehicle.

For Gareth, the decision is clear:

“Making the switch to an electric vehicle has completely transformed my daily commute. It’s cost-effective, convenient, and better for the environment. I wouldn’t look back.”

Ready to experience the benefits of electric driving?

Explore the full range of Kia EVs, with prices starting from £32,995 (correct at time of publishing March 2025), and find out more about the future of Kia electric cars.


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*The range was determined according to the standardised EU measurement procedure (WLTP). The individual driving style and other factors, such as speed, outside temperature, topography and the use of electricity-consuming devices/units, have an influence on the real-life range and can possibly reduce it.