Step-by-step guide to getting an EV

EVs are the future of driving. And it’s not just us that think so. Manufacturers are releasing more electric models than ever and pouring investment into EV technology. The latest EVs go further, charge faster, and look great whilst doing so.

If you’ve been gazing longingly at the latest EVs, but are slightly daunted by making the switch to electric driving, this article is for you. We’ve broken the process down into five simple steps – each easier than you might think!

You have a few options here:

• Leasing (PCP, PCH, Hire Purchase): you pay to drive the car, not own it, with monthly payments over a fixed term. You hand it back at the end of your lease (under some lease types, you may have the option to purchase it outright at the end of the lease)
• Cash purchase: you pay upfront and own the car outright
• Salary sacrifice: you lease your car via your workplace, with monthly payments taken out of your pre-tax salary

Though many people will find smaller monthly payments much more manageable than an upfront bill for thousands of pounds - it’s not just about avoiding a large cash payment. There are other things that make leasing the better option.

Leasing offers flexibility, security, and cost savings (if you hand the car back, you’ll never pay full price for your car). And with EV tech developing faster than ever, and the pace of change in the EV market - leasing can offer you more peace of mind than buying outright.

Let’s be honest - this is the fun part. Choosing your EV isn’t really all that different to picking a petrol car. You’ll still weigh up the usual stuff: how much space you need, how far you want to drive, and whether it needs to fit a dog, a bike, or just your lunch and laptop.

As for the electric-specific bits: don’t stress. Charging connector types have basically been standardised now (hello Type 2 and CCS), so you won’t turn up to a charger and realise your car doesn’t fit. And charging networks? Bigger, better, and popping up everywhere (we’ll talk about how to plan your charging setup next).

From nifty hatchbacks to spacious SUVs, there’s an EV for every lifestyle - make a list of your must-haves, set your budget, and explore what’s out there.

Need a bit more guidance? Our blog on how to pick your perfect EV has you covered.

The cheapest and (for many) most convenient way to charge your EV is via a home charger. Here’s what you need to know before installing your charger:

• Not all cars and chargers play nicely with smart energy tariffs. For example, Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus Go only works with certain EVs (like BMW) or smart chargers (like Ohme Home Pro or myenergi zappi). Before you install a charger, check it’s compatible with both your future car and your energy provider’s tariff – so you don’t miss out on potential savings.
• Look around for deals that include charger installation and discounts (at Octopus EV, we often have free charger deals, or free installation via Octopus Energy).
• It’s also worth shopping around for smart EV charging tariffs. These offer all sorts of bonuses – our Intelligent Octopus Go - EV Saver offers extra money off off-peak rates, whilst automatically charging your EV when energy is cheapest.
• Government grants and incentives for EV charger installation come and go, but it’s always worth checking what’s out there for a few bonus savings.

You may need to give your car some juice whilst out and about. We get asked about public charger availability a lot – but did you know there are more EV charging points than petrol stations in the UK?

By downloading an EV charging app like Electroverse, you’ll be able to plan your journey around the right public charging points for your car – and access some nifty discounts whilst you’re at it.

You’ve probably been keeping track of the numbers as you go – but there’s no harm in checking the budget one last time before committing.

Here are a few things to take into consideration when calculating final costs:

• For new EVs, you’ll save nearly £200 on road tax during your first year of ownership
• You can charge your EV at home for as little as 3p a mile – a huge saving on the cost of petrol or diesel, which works out at around 21p per mile
• EVs typically have fewer moving parts, so require less maintenance – and with a leasing package like Intelligent EV, maintenance is included as part of your monthly payment
• Opting for smart energy tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go gets you discounts on the energy you spend charging your car

It’s time to push the button, get your car ordered, and wait excitedly for your shiny new EV to be delivered to your driveway!

Here’s how the process works:

• Get a quote for the EV you want and place your order. You’ll need to pass a credit check before your order is confirmed – be aware that this could affect your credit score.
• Once you have a delivery date, find motor insurance (if not included in your package) and share the details with your EV provider. You may also need to share key documents with them, such as your driving license.
• Take delivery of your car and complete a full inspection for any pre-delivery issues.

That’s it – you’re then free to drive and enjoy your new EV to the max!

Why not take your EV out for a welcome spin to get used to how it drives? The smooth acceleration, top cabin tech, and lack of road noise might surprise you at first – but we promise it won’t be long until you take them for granted.

Enter Intelligent EV - the smarter, easier way to get an electric car. With Intelligent EV you get: 

• Smart charging - save money at home and on the road with exclusive discounts on Electroverse and Octopus Energy’s smart tariffs.
• Servicing and maintenance - we’ll keep your car in top shape with servicing and maintenance included.
• Extra Octopus perks - save £500 on heat pumps and solar panels with Octopus energy and slash your energy bills further (plus more goodies when your car is delivered) - getting you that one step closer to that low-carbon home.