Electric cars are no longer niche. With the UK ban on new petrol and diesel cars arriving in 2035, the question has shifted from “should I go electric?” to “when?”. Below is a clear-cut guide to prices, running costs, charging, tax and incentives, distilled from the latest MoneySavingExpert research and other trusted sources, so you can decide whether an EV fits your life and wallet.
Electric cars are no longer niche. With the UK ban on new petrol and diesel cars arriving in 2035, the question has shifted from “should I go electric?” to “when?”. Below is a clear-cut guide to prices, running costs, charging, tax and incentives, distilled from the latest MoneySavingExpert research and other trusted sources, so you can decide whether an EV fits your life and wallet.
1. The Two Main Types of EV
| Type | How it works | Typical range | Best for |
| Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) | 100 % electric motor and large battery | c. 80 – 480 miles | Drivers who can charge at home or need zero tail-pipe emissions |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | Small battery plus petrol/diesel engine | 10 – 50 miles electric, then engine takes over | Anyone nervous about range or with limited charging options |
According to moneysavingexpert EVs cost more up-front than comparable petrol cars, yet their motors have far fewer moving parts, so you’ll likely pay less for servicing and repairs over the long term.
2. Range: How Much Do You Really Need?
- City commuters can get away with budget EVs such as the Fiat 500e (≈115 mi real-world range).
- Motorway regulars may need 250 + mi on a single charge — think Kia EV6 or Tesla Model Y.
- Manufacturer ranges are optimistic; aim to charge between 20 %– 80 % to preserve battery health, and pre-condition the cabin while still plugged in to maximise miles. MoneySavingExpert.com
3. Purchase Price vs Running Costs
| Model (petrol vs electric) | From price (petrol) | From price (electric) |
| Fiat 500 | £16 k | £25 k |
| Vauxhall Corsa | £19 k | £29 k |
| Peugeot 208 | £19 k | £31 k |
| MINI Cooper | £23 k | £30 k |
Even so, fuel savings close the gap quickly. Typical petrol drivers spend £677 more per year than EV drivers on energy alone, according to the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit.
4. Home Charging: Cheapest by a Mile
- Dedicated wall-box: £500 – £1,000 installed.
- Smart overnight EV tariff: as low as 7p/kWh (vs 27p/kWh on the standard price cap).
- Example: a weekly empty-to-full charge on a Nissan Leaf (≈160 mi) can cost £140 per year on the cheapest tariff.
Tip: Apply for the EV Charge-point Grant (up to 75 % / £350 of hardware + install costs) if you live in a flat or rented property — funding confirmed until 31 March 2025.
5. Public Charging: What You’ll Pay on the Road
| Charger type | Typical power | Rough full-charge time* | Typical cost (p/kWh) |
| Slow | 3 – 5 kW | 11 h | 30-40p |
| Fast | 7 – 22 kW | 6 h | 45-60p |
| Rapid | 25 – 99 kW | 1 h | 65-80p |
| Ultra-rapid | 100 +kW | 20-40 min | up to 85p |
*40 kWh battery for illustration
There are now ≈77 000 charge points across 37 000 locations. Apps such as ONEEV show live availability and prices.
6. 2025 Car Tax: No Longer Free for EVs
| First registered | 2025/26 VED | Notes |
| Before 31 Mar 2017 | £20 / yr | – |
| 1 Apr 2017 – 31 Mar 2025 | £195 / yr | – |
| From 1 Apr 2025 | £10 first year, then £195 | +£425/yr “expensive-car” supplement if list price ≥ £40 k |
Plug-in hybrids pay up to £195 depending on emissions. Use the GOV.UK tax checker before buying used.
7. Other Ongoing Costs
- Insurance: still ± 15 % pricier than petrol on average (£910 vs £790) — shop around and consider black-box policies. Source: MoneySavingExpert.com
- Servicing & MOT: same schedule as conventional cars; maintenance 30 % cheaper overall thanks to fewer moving parts. Source: MoneySavingExpert.com
- Battery warranty: eight years or ≈100 000 mi is common; avoid repeated 0 % → 100 % cycles to slow degradation. Source: MoneySavingExpert.com
8. Perks: Parking, Clean-Air Zones & Low Emissions
Many councils offer discount or free resident parking permits for EVs, and charging bays usually include free parking while you top-up. EVs are also exempt from the London ULEZ, Birmingham and Bristol CAZ charges, Scotland’s LEZ fines and Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone tolls.
9. Buying New vs Used
- New: order direct from a dealer or lease; check for manufacturer finance deals tied to EV tariffs.
- Used: look for dealers accredited by the Electric Vehicle Approved scheme for battery health reports and warranty clarity.
Electric vehicles still command a higher sticker price, yet lower fuel bills, cheaper servicing and forthcoming clean-air charges tilt the long-term maths firmly in their favour. If you can fit a charger at home and typically drive < 250 mi at a time, the switch in 2025 is already cost-effective for many households.
Thinking of taking the plunge? Start by checking:
- Range needs – calculate your longest weekly trip.
- Home-charging options – off-street parking unlocks the biggest savings.
- Total cost of ownership – include insurance, VED, and any public charging.
With the right homework, your next car could be cleaner, quieter and kinder on your bank balance well before the 2035 petrol-car sunset.
