Survey shows striking divide between beliefs about going electric and EV drivers’ reality

EVs are cheaper, easier and far more enjoyable than many drivers of petrol and diesel cars think, according to research from charge provider Octopus Electroverse and Autotrader.

Across every aspect of ownership – from charging and reliability to running costs and performance – EV drivers report significantly higher satisfaction than fuel drivers anticipate.

Costs are one of the most striking factors. Fuel (petrol and diesel) drivers are nearly nine times more likely to think EVs cost more to maintain, and eight times more likely to assume day-to-day running costs are higher. 

Octopus says that EV owners gain an average of £860 a year by charging on a specialist tariff at home and Autotrader data recently showed that new electric cars are now cheaper than petrol on average for the first time, including discounts and government grants

EV owners are also almost twice as likely to call their car more reliable than a petrol equivalent, and overall satisfaction among EV drivers sits at 85% – with nearly half (48%) describing themselves as extremely satisfied, against just 31% of fuel drivers who say the same.

Charging at home, expected to be a headache for more than half of fuel drivers, turns out to be one of EV owners’ favourite things about the car, with 9 out of 10 (87%) of those able to charge at home describing it as easy and convenient. 

On the road, two-thirds of drivers say public chargers are easy to find and quick to use, with the UK network recently passing 111,000 charge points according to the Octopus Electroverse Infrastructure Insights Report.

Matt Davies, Director of Octopus Electroverse, said: “The biggest barrier to EV adoption today isn’t infrastructure or performance, it’s a lack of information. Many petrol and diesel drivers think EVs are complicated and expensive, but in reality, thousands of EV owners say they’re reliable, cheaper to run, and a joy to drive.”