Why EV drivers are making the switch

Have you ever wondered about a future where EV ownership is the norm, where petrol and diesel cars are seen as dusty, inconvenient relics that aren’t worth bothering with?

Naturally, so have we. We love introducing people to the benefits of EVs (hello lower emissions, whizzy high-tech features, and bigger savings on fuel). So we decided to ask a cross-section of drivers whether they were ready to switch to an EV, and why.

The results: A staggering 50% of respondents consider themselves ready to go electric. That’s a huge milestone in EV readiness – but what’s driving this shift? And, what’s holding the other half back?

Here’s what we found out.

Ever get stuck choosing between ethics and economics? With EVs, you don’t have to.

EVs are much greener than petrol or diesel cars – and they’re also cheaper to run and easy to operate. Drivers can do their bit for the environment without having to make compromises elsewhere.

Our research reflects all this – take a look at the top reasons drivers listed for making the switch.

Drivers are really attracted by the opportunity to build a cleaner, greener world through their choice of car.

Even when you take into account the production and manufacturing process, EVs produce over 50% fewer emissions than their petrol and diesel cousins.

Even better news: EVs are getting greener all the time, thanks to improvements in battery production, recycling initiatives, and V2G technology that allows your car to sell green energy back to the grid at times of high demand.

Would you like to power your car for 3p per mile, rather than 16p per mile?

Of course you would. Our drivers agree, with over a third citing lower running costs as a reason for switching to an EV.

When you charge at home on a specialist EV tariff, you can power your car for much less than a tank of petrol (around 16p per mile in March 2025), leaving you thousands of pounds better off in the long run.

EVs are also cheaper to maintain. This is because EVs have fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel cars – and fewer moving parts result in fewer repairs.

Over the past few years, the charging infrastructure for EVs has improved dramatically – and it’s only going to get even more convenient.

Say goodbye to annoying little diversions to the petrol station. Instead, use home charging to power up your EV whilst you what?

Your smart tariff will automatically start charging when electricity is cheapest; you don’t even have to remember to press the ‘on’ button.

EVs don’t produce tailpipe emissions, so are exempt from the daily charge for driving in Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) and Clean Air Zones (CAZ). This can be up to £12.50 per day. That includes most major UK cities, such as London, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Bristol. EVs are also exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

Despite 50% of drivers being ready to make the switch, there are still a few perceptions holding people back from getting their first EV.

But are these reasons fact or fib? Let’s take a look.

Ironically, cost tops the list of drivers’ reasons for getting an EV and drivers’ reasons for not getting an EV.

We think this stems from the fact that list prices of EVs are slightly higher than equivalent petrol or diesel cars, and that you may need to pay to install a home charger for your first EV.

If this is putting you off, bear in mind that running costs for EVs are much lower because:

• You can charge overnight, at home, for as little as 3p per mile
• Maintenance costs are up to 31% cheaper for EVs
• You’re exempt from the London Congestion Charge and other ULEZ charges
• New EVs save nearly £200 on Vehicle Tax in the first year
• You can benefit from a range of deals on charger installation with Octopus EV

In fact, a major recent study found that EV drivers ended up around £3,000 better off than petrol or diesel drivers over the time they had the car.

It varies, but in most places across the UK, you won’t have an issue finding a public charger.

There are now (incredibly) more public charging points than petrol stations in the UK – and that number is only set to grow further.

This means that for most people, giving your car a quick charge whilst you pop to the supermarket, or whilst breaking a longer journey, is super achievable.

Need to locate a charge point, stat? Use our Electroverse app to find one en-route, or to plan your route around charger availability.

Our research suggests that the average driver covers around 165 miles per week.

Good news: the average real-world range for EVs is now around 235 miles. So, there’s no need to panic about getting caught short on day-to-day trips, or to pay lots of money for a car with a 400+ mile range – you probably don’t need it (though by all means treat yourself if you want to)!

Charging-wise: yes, charging at home does take longer, but you can plug your EV in overnight whilst you’re asleep. That’s way more convenient than a petrol station diversion if you ask us!

A full charge on a rapid charger will likely take around 20-30 minutes for new EVs – so a little longer than filling a tank full of petrol. Equally, it’s the perfect amount of time for a quick break on longer journeys, so you can return to the road rested, refreshed, and appropriately caffeinated.

Take our EV Matchmaker Quiz to find your perfect EV

Of course people want reassurance that new technology is safe – you’re investing in something that’s likely to play a huge part in your everyday life. You don’t want to worry that it could go up in flames any minute.

EVs are actually much safer than petrol or diesel cars because:

• EVs have larger crumple zones (thanks to not housing a petrol engine in the front)
• EVs’ heavy batteries stabilise the car and significantly reduce the risk of rolling over
• EVs are 20 times less likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel cars, as they aren’t carrying a tank full of combustible fuel

When will EV ownership become the norm for UK drivers?

With the UK Government reaffirming their commitment to the 2030 petrol and diesel car ban, and 50% of drivers ready to make the leap to electric, we reckon EVs won’t be a novelty for much longer. You may even be noticing more EVs popping up in your town already (you can spot them with their green stripe on the number plate).

Whilst many drivers see the benefits of EVs, our research shows that people lack reassurance – there are still a few myths floating around that cause people to hesitate. The more accessible EV driving becomes, the faster these myths will disappear.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to remove the barriers to EV ownership? Something that made it even easier to switch to electric, and even cheaper to charge?

Enter Intelligent EV.

Intelligent EV is about more than just the car on your driveway. You get:

• A choice of some of the smartest and most talked-about EVs on the market right now, both new and Nearly New
• Major home charging savings on our exclusive smart tariff, and discounts on public charging via the Electroverse app
• Included servicing and maintenance to keep costs down
• A range of other deals and discounts on green energy tech via our sister company Octopus Energy.

Could you make the switch today? Take our EV Matchmaker Quiz to find out!