Lower Running Costs
Electric cars are more cost-efficient than petrol cars, with home charging costing just £5–£15 compared to over £100 for petrol. They also offer lower cost per mile, letting you travel farther for less.
Reducing Costs and Emissions: The Benefits of Electric and Hybrid Cars
The future is electric.
With advancements in technology, supportive government policies, and a rising global focus on sustainability, there has never been a better time to make the switch to electric.
Electric and hybrid vehicles offer a range of benefits—from reduced running and charging costs to government incentives, strong performance, and a smaller environmental footprint.
See how making the switch can be a smart move for both you and the planet.
Electric cars are more cost-efficient than petrol cars, with home charging costing just £5–£15 compared to over £100 for petrol. They also offer lower cost per mile, letting you travel farther for less.
Switching to an EV is one of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint. They release fewer emissions into the atmosphere than other fuel types, as they are typically powered by a lithium-ion battery and don’t rely on fossil fuels.
Electric vehicles have far fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines making them cheaper to maintain. This is due to EVs having fewer moving parts, requiring no oil changes, and overall resulting in less frequent servicing.
EVs tend to outperform petrol and diesel cars in terms of acceleration, thanks to instant torque delivery that provides quick and responsive power straight to the wheels.
Electric cars offer a smoother and quieter driving experience because they lack a traditional transmission and internal combustion engine, eliminating jerky acceleration and abrupt speed changes.
The UK's public electric vehicle (EV) charging network is steadily expanding and evolving to meet driver demand. As of the end of April 2025, there were 79,654 charging points at 39,427 locations nationwide.
Today, most new EVs can travel between 200 and 350 miles on a single charge.
The European Parliament has approved legislation effectively banning the sale of new petrol, diesel, hybrid cars and light commercial vehicles from 2035.
The UK offers grants to promote electric vehicle use, such as the Electric Vehicle ChargePoint Grant (up to £350 for renters and flat owners) and the Workplace Charging Scheme for businesses.
Charging at home is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to keep your EV ready to go. With a dedicated home charger, you can simply plug in overnight and wake up to a full battery without the waiting.
Discover how much more you could save by switching to electric.
ELECTRIC COSTS | FUEL COSTS |
AVERAGE HOME CHARGING £5-£15 Per full charge (200-300 miles) |
AVERAGE TANK FILL-UP £70-£120 Per full charge (300-500 miles) |
COST PER MILE Approx. 3-5p per mile when charging at home based on 24p per kWh domestic rate |
COST PER MILE Approx. 12-18p per mile depending on efficiency based on £1.40-£1.50 per litre |
OFF-PEAK PRICING Economy 7 tariffs as low as 9p per kWh overnight Could reduce costs to just £2 -£8 per charge |
PEAK TIME PRICING No off-peak discounts – same price 24/7 Must pay full price regardless of when you fill up |
HOME VS PUBLIC CHARGING Home: 24p/kWh Public: 30-70p/kWh Rapid: 40-80p/kWh |
PETROL STATION PRICES Motorway: £1.50+/L Supermarket: £1.35- £1.40 Premium: £1.45 - £1.55/L |
PRICE STABILITY Electric prices are more stable than volatile fuel prices |
PRICE VOLATILITY Fuel prices fluctuate with oil markets, geopolitics and supply |
ANNUAL COSTS £300-£600 per year for average UK driver (10,000 miles) |
ANNUAL COSTS £1,200-£1,800 per year for average UK driver (10,000 miles) |
Electric vehicle charging costs are significantly lower than traditional fuel costs. With home charging at just 3-5p per mile compared to 12-18p per mile for petrol/diesel, you could save thousands of pounds annually on running costs alone.
WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) is the official testing standard, conducted in controlled laboratory conditions. Real-world range depends on factors like weather, driving style, terrain, and use of heating/air conditioning.
Cold temperatures can reduce range by 10-20% in winter months. This happens because batteries work less efficiently in cold conditions, and heating the cabin uses additional energy. However, modern electric cars have thermal management systems that minimize this impact, and you can pre-condition your car while it's still plugged in.
Modern electric vehicle batteries are designed to retain 80-90% of their capacity after 8-10 years of typical use. Most manufacturers offer 8-year warranties on battery performance. In practice, many drivers find their daily range needs remain well within their vehicle's capabilities even after several years.
Running out of charge is rare. Your vehicle will give multiple warnings and enter power-saving modes. If it does happen, you can call roadside assistance (included with most manufacturers) for emergency charging or recovery. Many breakdown services now carry portable chargers that can provide enough power to reach the nearest charging point.
Drive smoothly, use regenerative braking, maintain steady speeds, and pre-condition your car while charging. Eco driving modes can extend range by 10-20%.
Aggressive acceleration and high speeds reduce range, while smooth, consistent driving maximizes it. Regenerative braking actually recovers energy when you slow down. Many drivers find they naturally adopt more efficient driving habits with an electric car.
Many electric vehicles can tow, but it will reduce range by 30-50% depending on the trailer weight. Plan for more frequent charging stops when towing. Some models offer towing-specific range calculations.
At Lloyd Motor Group, our certified technicians are fully trained in electric vehicle servicing, ensuring your EV receives the specialist care it deserves while you enjoy the peace of mind that comes with lower maintenance costs and extended service intervals.