UK study: Even drivers unable to charge at home would save with an EV

LONDON: Most drivers would save money by switching to electric motoring – even if they would not be able to charge an electric car at home, according to a new report out of the UK.

EVs provide a financial saving for people with no off-road parking in 58% of scenarios analysed by EV lobby group Electric Vehicles UK (EVUK).

Public charging generally costs more than home charging, partly because of VAT being four times higher at 20%.

For those who can charge at home, savings can be made in 90% of scenarios analysed.

The Cost of Driving Electric study looked at a total of 480 scenarios, comparing the cost of ownership for 50 EV models with their petrol or diesel equivalents.

Fifteen new EV models were assessed for three ownership models over a typical four-year term, with three annual mileage levels considered, and whether they would be primarily charged at home or in public.

Thirty-five used EVs first registered between 2017 and 2023 were analysed against their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts using the same mileage criteria, across an ownership period of five years.

EVUK said the average cost of ownership across all the scenarios was £5,850 (%7,375) lower for EVs than ICE models.

The organisation’s chief executive Dan Caesar said: “It is our mission to present the whole picture and not just present a partial, or even partisan, picture of the realities of driving electric.”

Ginny Buckley, founder of EV buying website Electrifying.com, said: “Although the upfront purchase price of a new EV may be marginally higher in some cases, our comprehensive analysis reveals that lower maintenance and running costs can save drivers thousands of pounds over the vehicle’s lifetime.”

James Court, public policy director for EV leasing company Octopus EV, said: “EVs save the consumer money. They also drive better, offering levels of tech and comfort superior to an ICE.

“Why would anyone really want to go backwards?” — PA Media