Looking to Buy an Electric Car? An Ultimate Guide to Buying an EV

*Updated October 2025

Not only are electric vehicles a more eco-friendly alternative to driving a petrol/diesel vehicle, but they are also increasingly fun and responsive to drive, and can future-proof your transport for years to come. Especially with the ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles in 2030.

Modern EVs offer a ton of benefits to drivers. Not only are they significantly cheaper to run and provide excellent performance, but the use of batteries and electric motors also allows them to avoid some of the traditional limitations of ICE vehicles.

What’s more, the public and private charging infrastructure continues to improve, making it easier for drivers up and down the UK. EVs aren’t just an alternative to ICE cars, they’re rapidly becoming the best way to drive… full stop.

In this EV buying guide, we outline:

• The benefits of buying an electric car
• How to maximise range and efficiency
• How to reduce battery degradation
• Top tips for buying an EV

Across the UK, thousands of new drivers every week ask themselves, “Is it worth buying an electric car?” Many are discovering that yes, it is. As car manufacturers continually bring new electric models to the market, EV ownership will become the norm for both private and commercial motoring.

EVs offer several benefits over conventional petrol and diesel cars, and we’re going to explore them here.

What are the benefits of EVs?

The environmental benefits of EVs

Transport is the largest CO2-emitting sector in the UK, responsible for 28% of emissions in 2022. EVs are significantly better for the environment than ICE vehicles. Although EVs still produce non-exhaust emissions when they’re made and when they’re charged, especially if the power is generated by fossil fuels, they eliminate exhaust emissions such as nitrogen oxide and PM2.5, whilst also reducing particulates from brake wear through regenerative braking.

In addition, a common criticism of EVs was their comparatively short lifetime, with batteries expected to last only 8-12 years before requiring replacement. However, that’s all changed with modern technology, and you can expect a new EV to last between 15 and 20 years now. That’s in line with the expected lifetime of an equivalent ICE vehicle before it needs significant repairs.

The Cost of EV Ownership

When you’re weighing up whether you should buy an EV, you may be put off by the high initial purchase price. However, the overall cost of ownership of an electric vehicle is generally lower, especially if you own the car for a good few years.

• Cheaper to maintain – Maintenance costs are estimated to run around 40% less for EVs because there are fewer components and drivers can bypass things like oil changes and spark plug replacements, as well as more expensive engine, clutch and gearbox issues. EVs are lighter on tyres and brakes due to regenerative braking – so wear and tear is reduced.
• More energy efficient – EVs are generally three times more energy-efficient than petrol and diesel cars, mostly because 40-60% of ICE vehicle’s energy is lost to heat and friction. Increased efficiency translates to reduced fuel costs. What’s more, fully charging your EV at home should cost around £13, but if you have solar power or other renewables, it could be even less.
• Increased lifespan – As we’ve seen, modern EVs are expected to last just as long as their ICE counterparts. In fact, a study conducted by Recurrent in the US identified that just 2.5% of EVs required a replacement battery, across all years and models, not including major recalls. For cars manufactured after 2016, this was less than 1%.
• Exempt from congestion charges – Electric Vehicles are exempt from the congestion charge in central London and the capital’s Ultra-low Emission Zone charges – a collective saving of £27.50 a day.

Usability & Comfort

Although true of almost all modern cars, EVs can be particularly comfortable to drive, as well as offering excellent usability and performance characteristics.

• Comfort and driveability – EVs are famously quieter and smoother to run, with most models surprisingly quick in acceleration. The lower centre of gravity allows for improved handling, responsiveness and – due to increased internal passenger space – greater comfort.
• Unrestricted design – Because electric motors are smaller and the batteries are placed in the bottom of the vehicle, designers have more freedom to make choices about layout, styling and interior space. This can make EVs exceptionally user-friendly and modern.
• Technology – Although it depends on which EV you choose, their advanced nature means they can often come with excellent technology as standard. Whether it’s automatic software updates, various efficiency modes, adaptive cruise control, multiple motors, intelligent headlights, self-parking, or even different driver profiles, they are truly cutting-edge.

EV Battery Shelf-Life

Most EVs use Lithium-Ion batteries, which degrade and become less effective over hundreds of charge / use-cycles. However, recent studies show this degradation is small, at around 1.8% a year. Similarly, drivers can expect 150,000+ miles of use – making the lifespan similar to a conventional petrol or diesel model. Given that the average UK driver covers around 7500 miles a year, you could expect between 15 and 20 years of regular use from your EV.

There are also ways to reduce EV battery degradation, such as keeping the charge between 20-80%, avoiding very aggressive acceleration and not driving in extreme cold or hot temperatures. Therefore, a decline in battery capacity, especially given the rapid evolution of battery innovation, should not now be a major concern for most EV owners. Likewise, as battery tech moves forward and EV ownership becomes more common, the cost of replacing the batteries should reduce significantly.

Top Tips for Buying an EV

As with any other vehicle, your choice of EV will likely depend on many factors, from budget to range expectations to style and size.

Decide on the type of vehicle for your needs

Do you want a battery electric vehicle (BEV), Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or hybrid (HEV)? Each comes with pros and cons. If you do a lot of long journeys or your local charging infrastructure isn’t great, a hybrid may be a better choice.

For those who aren’t clear on the difference, BEVs are 100% powered by electricity. PHEVs have a small petrol or diesel engine, as well as an electric motor and a battery that’s charged like an EV. HEVs also have a mix of an electric and ICE motor which is also used to charge the battery. HEVs cannot be charged via an external charger, whereas some PHEVs can use the ICE to recharge, as well as regenerative braking.

Look at what EV models are available

In today’s market, there are many more models than there were a few years ago, from the Rolls-Royce Spectre at the high end of the price spectrum to the more modestly priced Nissan Leaf or Renault 5. There are also many new EVs from manufacturers like Peugeot, Hyundai, BYD, MG, VW, Cupra, BMW, and more.

Consider the type of driving you do as well as the passengers or luggage you carry. If you drive long distances as a family, you may need a larger saloon or SUV, but a smaller, lighter and cheaper EV could suit other drivers who mainly drive in towns and cities.

Many households have multiple cars. Some people find that owning a small, lower-cost EV for their daily use and short journeys around town is perfect for their needs, while they keep an ICE or hybrid vehicle for longer journeys.

See if your company offers a salary sacrifice scheme

Before you make the jump, enquire with your employer as to whether they have a salary sacrifice scheme for EVs. With such a scheme, your employer will lease the car from the scheme provider, and you will pay for the EV by exchanging a portion of your gross salary. The reduction in salary helps you save on income tax and national insurance contributions, and you do not have to worry about the potentially high upfront purchase cost of the vehicle.

Consider installing an EV charger at home

If you have access to off-street parking or a private drive, you may want to invest in an EV charge point to guarantee you will always be ready to hit the road with a good level of charge. If you have solar panels or access to a reduced tariff overnight, you may find that you can charge your EV for even less.

If your business site has EV charging, which many now do, this could also be an option.

Explore your local area for public charge points

If a home charger is not feasible, do not worry, as the UK’s public charging network is expanding by the day. In fact, as of September 2025, there are over 80,000 charge points across the UK.

Check out where you can charge on the network before you buy your EV, so as soon as it arrives, you know where to head when you need a top-up. In addition many supermarkets and other commercial premises operate chargepoints for their customers, which can be used while you shop.

Nearly all major manufacturers now have a line of electric or hybrid vehicles, and buying an electric car is no longer the gamble it once was. Alongside the financial savings, motorists are more aware of their impact on the planet, and for some, owning an EV is worth it for that alone.