💷 Costs
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If you want to buy a car outright, electric cars have now reached price parity with petrol and diesel equivalents. Take a look at some examples here! Like with any car it’s important to work out what type of ownership you want and how much you are willing to pay for it.
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If buying outright is not for you, there are many finance or lease options, at very competitive price points. There are even other options such as EV subscription services - allowing you to rent a car long-term on a rolling contract.
You may even want to factor in the money you will save on running the car to get something higher spec. Ultimately, buying an electric car is no different to buying any other car, except for the offer of a free home charger! Check out our dealer comparison tool to see what is on offer.
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The main reason why EVs are cheaper to run is because electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel.
The oil needs to be extracted from the ground, refined, stored, transported - and when all is said and done, it is taxed to the nines! On the flip-side, recharging an electric car for a fiver is not unheard of - especially with a home charger and EV tariff.
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Maintenance costs will be lower too. Electric cars are more reliable than petrol and diesel cars, so less breakdowns means more money in your pocket. Typical maintenance costs are about £80-£100 less per year for EVs.
When it comes to insurance, electric cars used to cost slightly more to insure but this has changed for the better. There are now several EV specific insurers, and the industry is catching on - with premiums falling in-line across the board.
“My e-Niro costs me 1p per mile compared to 15p per mile for a diesel. There are now three EVs on my cul-de-sac!”
Enter your registration to see how much you could save!
Switching to an electric car could save you £700 a year, more so if you drive a lot! Use our free tool to check your potential savings.
🚦 Range
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There are over 64,000 public charging points in the UK and 76% of all trips in the UK are between 2-3 miles.
Rapid (motorway) charging will refill the car in under 30 minutes, whilst home or street charging can give you a full battery overnight.
Most people only refuel when they need to, like with a petrol car. If you have a driveway, however, you can keep your car fully charged the whole time!
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The range you need depends on how much you drive. It is tempting to want to go for the highest range possible but cars with shorter range tend to be cheaper.
On the flip side, some cars can now go over 400 miles without charging, so there are plenty of options available for every kind of driver. The more you drive, the more you save on fuel so if you drive a lot, then an electric car can be the perfect option for you!
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Assessing your daily, or weekly mileage will show how much range you will need for these trips.
It is also useful to consider the longer trips you might occasionally do. For example, although you don’t need a large battery for 30 miles of weekly driving, it might be make sense to have more range if you do a 200 mile trip once a month.
“Range is really not the big issue that people make it out to be. Now that I know where to charge, I drive further than ever!”
⏯ Charging an EV has never been easier
“You can charge from 15% to 80% in about 30 minutes. You don’t have to wait with the car while it charges, you can just crack on with your life!”
- Electrifying.com
Octopus EV
An in-depth guide on EV range:
Everything you need to know about
how far an EV can go!
🔌 Charging
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Did you know that two-thirds of Britons have driveways? This makes charging a no-brainer since this is the cheapest and most convenient option. We recommend using a dedicated charger, as this will typically give you a full charge overnight, and many brands provide free chargers when you get an electric car!
Many workplaces have also started to install chargers in their employee carparks and the government is currently offering a grant for businesses to do this. You might even be able to persuade your company to do the same.
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Many residential areas with terraced houses are now installing lamp post and street chargers.
There are also chargers at supermarket car parks, shopping centres, and even pubs and restaurants. There are also chargers on motorways and A-roads that will give you a rapid (or ultra-rapid!) charge during longer journeys.
Check out how many charging stations in your local area - you will be surprised how many there are hiding in plain sight! Try Zap-Map or Open Charge Map.
“When I got my car, I lived in an apartment and could not charge outside my building. My local council has made it so easy to charge your EV. Charging is free for Dundee residents!”
⏯ Beat the rising fuel prices!
“Charging is not as complicated as you might think - all you have to do is plug in and wait.”
- Electrifying.com x Octopus Energy
Don’t take our word for it!
Read about our EV drivers’ stories and find out why so many Brits are making the switch to electric.
🚙 Which car?
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So you now know your budget, the range you need to match your lifestyle, how much you’ll be saving, what grants and secondary savings that are available and where you will charge your vehicle.
It’s now time for the fun bit: the car! There are now dozens of makes and models for sale, so whether you want a shiny SUV, a family sedan, or a high-range saloon - the choice is broader than ever. Sites like EV Database or AutoTrader can make the search easier, by showing you all the EVs that are on the market.
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Ready to start your electric journey? Find your dream car today by finding your perfect dealer with our comparison tool.
Whether you are looking to see what cars are available, or you are looking to make the switch,our partners can give you personal, expert advise - all for free.
