The EV Reality Check: Why you might be worrying for nothing

A new survey from Octopus and Autotrader reveals that while petrol drivers are nervous about going electric, those who have already made the jump are more satisfied than ever.

In fact, 85% of EV drivers say they are satisfied with their cars.

If you are currently driving a petrol or diesel car, the idea of switching to electric might feel like a bit of a gamble. We get it. Between headlines about charging infrastructure and questions about battery life, it’s easy to feel a bit "EV-hesitant."

But according to new research from Autotrader and Octopus Electroverse, there is a massive divide between what fuel drivers think ownership is like and the reality for people actually behind the wheel. 

One of the biggest hurdles for fuel drivers is the "sticker shock" and the fear of maintenance. The survey found that petrol and diesel drivers are nine times more likely to think EVs are more expensive to maintain.

The reality? For the first time, new electric cars are actually cheaper than petrol equivalents on average when you factor in discounts and grants. Once you’ve bought the car, the savings keep coming. According to Octopus Electroverse, EV owners using specialist home charging tariffs are pocketing an average of £860 a year in savings compared to petrol. That’s a few extra weekend getaways just for plugging in your car at night.

We’ve all heard the range anxiety stories, and more than half of fuel drivers expect charging to be a total pain.

However, once you have the car, that anxiety disappears. Nine out of 10 EV owners who charge at home describe it as easy and convenient. It turns out that waking up to a full tank every morning is actually one of their favourite parts of owning an EV.

And if you’re worried about being stranded on the motorway, the UK network has just soared past 120,000 public charge points. Two-thirds of current EV drivers say they find public chargers easy to find and quick to use.

Fuel drivers are often worried that EVs are complex or prone to breaking down. Yet, EV owners are twice as likely to call their car more reliable than a petrol equivalent. With fewer moving parts to go wrong (no oil filters, spark plugs, or timing belts to worry about), the ownership experience is proving to be much smoother than anticipated.

Our Editorial Director, Erin Baker, puts it best: "Electric vehicles are a once-in-a-generation technology shift which is exciting and intimidating all at once. We know EV drivers love their cars, but many who haven’t made the switch yet still have concerns."

The data is clear: the "EV glow" is real. If you’re one of the 88% of fuel drivers who say they need more information before making the switch, the best thing you can do is get behind the wheel. The gap between expectation and reality is closing fast, and for most people, the grass really is greener on the electric side.

• 85% of EV drivers are satisfied with their vehicle.
• £860: The average annual saving when charging on an EV-specific home tariff, according to Octopus Electroverse
• 120,000+: The number of public chargers now installed across the UK.
• 87% of home-chargers say it’s the most convenient way to fuel a car.

Read the full report on the Electroverse site.