Why choose an electric car: real benefits and trade-offs

An electric car is not the right choice for everyone, but for many drivers it is cheaper and more pleasant to use than they expect. Below are both the benefits and the trade-offs, so you can make an informed decision.

Lower running costs

If you charge mostly at home, a kilometre driven on electricity usually costs much less than on petrol or diesel. The gap narrows if you often use fast chargers, where the price per kWh is higher.

Maintenance is simpler too: no engine oil, oil filters, spark plugs, timing belt, clutch or exhaust. The brakes wear more slowly thanks to regenerative braking. We compare it in detail in EV versus petrol car maintenance.

Comfort behind the wheel

• Instant torque and no gear changes: acceleration is smooth and responsive.
• Quiet: in town you hear little more than tyre noise.
• You can heat or cool the cabin remotely while the car is plugged in.
• The low centre of gravity from the battery helps stability.

The trade-offs

For it to be a good choice, you also need to know what may not suit you:

• The purchase price is still higher than an equivalent petrol model, although the used market has narrowed the gap considerably.
• Long trips need planning: a fast-charging stop takes longer than filling up.
• Without somewhere to charge at home or work, daily use becomes more expensive and less convenient.
• In winter range drops. We explain why in what affects range.

Who it makes sense for

An EV suits you best if you can charge at home or at work and your daily distances are well within the battery’s range. If you have nowhere to charge or often drive long distances through areas without fast chargers, a full or plug-in hybrid may be a better compromise.