What are the advantages of EVs?

OWNING an electric car today is much easier than it used to be – and the good news is that things are only going to get better.

Improvements in the battery range of EVs, lower prices and the expansion of the country’s charging network mean that an EV is as easy for many people to own as a petrol car. Perhaps even easier if you don’t cover a huge mileage and have access to home charging.

If you can top up at home, then an EV makes a lot of sense. It’s common for an EV to be charged overnight ready for a day’s use, so you will be using electricity at a lower rate than during the day. It’s far cheaper than petrol or diesel.

Electric cars are also far cheaper to tax than ICE models (they’re free at the moment, but will no longer be so after April 2025), while pure EVs are exempt from the London Congestion Charge and similar schemes. Servicing costs are much lower on EVs, too, chiefly because there is no engine to maintain.

There are also enormous cost advantages for companies and company car drivers. The government aims to encourage EV ownership and so has made them extremely tax efficient. Driving an EV rather than a petrol or diesel can save drivers thousands in tax alone, every year.

But there is more to their appeal than just running costs. The nature of an EV powertrain means you get instant torque from the electric motors, unlike ICE cars where pulling power is delivered at varying engine speeds. That makes them impressively quick off the mark, while the electric motors also deliver excellent refinement.

“We’re seeing evidence that brands are scrabbling to claim a foothold against rivals. As a result, the current market is incredibly dynamic. Special offers and price cuts will pop up all over the place in the coming months” ALEX INGRAM

Chief reviewer