Switching to an electric car: what to know before you sign.
Range, charging, budget, tax: five well-answered questions are usually enough to know whether electric suits you — and which one. EVTrader helps free of charge, from your first question through to delivery.
In short: is electric right for you?
If you drive under 60 miles a day and can charge at home or work, electric is nearly always the right call: 5–9 pence per mile charging at home, 20–40% less servicing, and — since April 2025 — a modest VED charge rather than the old exemption. Longer trips are handled by rapid charging: 100–150 miles recovered in around 20–30 minutes. Updated 2026-07-06.
Five steps to switching to electric
- Measure your journeys. The average UK commute is well under 30 miles a day; even in winter, a 250-mile WLTP model comfortably covers a week of commuting. Only very high-mileage drivers without fixed charging need to look closely.
- Sort your charging. A home wallbox (£800–£1,200 fitted) is the cheapest, most convenient option. No driveway to fit one? Check chargepoints nearby and network pricing before choosing your model.
- Work out the total budget. Compare total cost of ownership — depreciation, charging, servicing, insurance, tax — not just the sticker price. Our TCO page breaks down every item.
- Choose your finance route. PCH to keep it simple, PCP to keep the option of owning later, HP or cash if you drive a lot. Our PCH/PCP/HP comparison helps you decide.
- Test before you sign. A multi-day test, including a longer trip with a rapid charge, tells you more than any spec sheet.
Costs: electric vs petrol
An electric car usually costs more to buy. But electricity is cheaper than petrol and servicing costs less (no oil changes, no cambelt, less brake wear). How much you save depends on your mileage, how long you keep the car and, above all, where you charge: at home, on the street or at rapid chargers, and whether you have solar panels on the roof.
Move the sliders to match your situation. The result shows, item by item, which is cheaper and at what annual mileage it tips. All amounts are indicative.
Your driving profile
Company car? Benefit-in-kind tax comes on top; it isn't included here.
How and where you charge
Electric car
Petrol car
Total cost over 4 years (32,000 miles)
Indicative, based on your inputs and market averages. Not included: grants, benefit-in-kind, a home chargepoint, finance costs.
Not included: grants, benefit-in-kind, a home chargepoint, finance costs.
Three common myths, three short answers
“Range isn't enough”
Current models cover 200–350 miles WLTP. The average UK commute is well under 30 miles. On the motorway, rapid charging recovers 100–150 miles in about 20–30 minutes.
“The battery wears out fast”
Modern batteries lose roughly 1–2% capacity a year after the first year. Manufacturer warranty: typically 8 years or 100,000 miles down to 70% capacity.
“Charging is a hassle”
At home, the car charges overnight like a phone. The UK has tens of thousands of public chargepoints, with rapid chargers well covered on motorways.
Ready to switch to electric?
Tell us your journeys and budget: we'll tell you which models suit, what it costs overall, and which finance option is sharpest. Free and brand-neutral.
Frequently asked questions about switching to electric
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