Once upon a time, EVs were glorified milk floats. In 2025, they’re sleek, smart, and everywhere. But can they truly replace your petrol car? We grabbed a Kia EV6 and a BMW 3 Series, hit the road, and found out.
The Range Showdown
🛣️ The Test: London → Lake District (270 miles)
⚡ Kia EV6: 328-mile WLTP range; real-world = 280 miles with Spotify, heated seats, and “enthusiastic” driving.
⛽ BMW 320i: 470-mile tank; real-world = 430 miles (thanks to M6 traffic jams).
Verdict: The EV6 needed one rapid charge en route (~20 mins). Not bad for a car that runs on electrons.
The Cost Battle
💷 Kia EV6: Home charge (off-peak): £16. Rapid top-up en route: £11. Total = £27.
⛽ BMW 320i: Petrol at £1.65/litre: £69 for a full tank. Used ~60%. Total = £41.
Verdict: EV wins for home charging but loses at pricey rapid chargers.
Refuelling Time
⏱️ Kia EV6: 20-minute coffee break at Gridserve Braintree.
⛽ BMW 320i: 5-minute splash-and-dash at motorway services.
Verdict: Petrol is quicker. But would you rather queue for Costa or sniff diesel fumes?
Driving Feel
⚡ Kia EV6: Silent, instant torque, surprisingly agile. Makes stop-start traffic less painful.
⛽ BMW 320i: Classic petrol roar, linear power delivery. Great on the M roads, less fun in city crawl.
Convenience Factor
- EV drivers need planning for long trips. Apps like ONEEV are essential.
- Home charging wins. Imagine never visiting a petrol station again.
- Petrol still edges it for spontaneous 500-mile cross-country blasts.
Future Proofing
⚡ EVs get smarter every month thanks to OTA updates, cheaper tariffs, and growing rapid networks.
⛽ Petrol? Same old. Plus ULEZ zones and fuel price volatility.
The Final Verdict
✅ For daily commuting, school runs, and 90% of life? EVs smash it. ❌ For unplanned, ultra-long journeys without charging prep? Petrol still has a slight edge… for now.
The smart move? Start planning your switch today. Download ONEEV to make your EV lifestyle effortless.
