There are nearly half a million electric cars in the UK, and rising fuel prices have prompted more people to consider making the switch. The government is banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, a decade earlier than originally planned.
It unexpectedly cancelled its electric vehicle (EV) grant for cars with immediate effect, arguing it was having “little effect on rapidly accelerating sales”.
Filling the tank of a 47-litre family hatchback with petrol now costs about £85, or £88 for diesel.
Despite recent energy price increases, charging at home to deliver the equivalent mileage typically costs less than half of that – about £41.
But drivers typically do a mix of 70% charging at home and 30% at public chargers, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Public charging costs vary but this hybrid approach could cost about £48, still significantly cheaper than conventional fuel.
The price difference between electric cars and traditional vehicles is narrowing, and is expected to largely disappear.
But for now, a typical new electric car remains more expensive than an equivalent petrol or diesel model – ranging from £23,000 to £43,000.
However, cheaper second-hand EVs are increasingly available.
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