Commonly asked Questions
Is it cheaper to run an electric car than a petrol car in the UK?
Yes-often. With home charging, EVs can cost around 3-7p per mile versus around 17p per mile for petrol (approximate, varies by tariff and fuel prices). EVs also tend to have lower maintenance costs.
How much money can I save annually by switching to an EV?
Many UK drivers report around £600 to £1,500 per year in savings when switching to electric, depending on mileage, charging habits, and what they're switching from. Some estimates put typical savings at up to ~£850 per year versus petrol or hybrids for everyday use.
Many EV objections are based on outdated or incomplete information and can be addressed with practical facts. Highlighting: lower running and maintenance costs, the convenience of home charging alongside a rapidly expanding UK public network, and the enjoyable driving experience. We are addressing peoples main worries:
Cost
For many UK drivers, the biggest day-to-day change is simple: electricity is usually cheaper per mile than petrol, especially when you can charge at home.
- Home-charged EVs (UK, 2026 estimates): roughly 3--7p per mile
- Petrol (UK, 2026 estimates): roughly 17p per mile
That gap can add up quickly across commutes, school runs, and weekend trips. EVs can also cost less to maintain because they have fewer moving parts than petrol cars (no oil changes, fewer fluids, and less brake wear thanks to regenerative braking).
A quick "real-world" comparison
Under current UK rates, home charging can cost around £11 for 150 miles , compared with roughly £18--£20 for a petrol car covering the same distance (depending on fuel price and mpg).
"But charging is a nightmare." Is it, though?
Charging is often the #1 worry for people who haven't lived with an EV. The reality for most drivers is that EV charging is less like "finding a petrol station" and more like "charging your phone":
- If you can charge at home, you top up while you sleep
- Public charging becomes mainly for longer trips, not daily driving
And the UK network has grown fast. As of early 2026, there are over 116,000 public EV charging points across more than 45,000 locations in the UK , including rapid and ultra-rapid chargers as well as on-street residential points. Public chargers now outnumber petrol and diesel pumps by nearly two-to-one.
That doesn't mean every location is perfect, or that queues never happen, but it does mean the "nowhere to charge" argument is increasingly out of date.
"EVs are boring / slow." Many are the opposite
A common surprise for first-time EV drivers is how they feel on the road:
- Instant acceleration (torque) makes pulling away and overtaking feel effortless
- Smooth, quiet driving reduces fatigue, especially in traffic
- One-pedal driving (in many models) can make stop-start driving simpler
Even people who don't care about performance tend to notice that EVs feel responsive and easy to drive.
Why not make the switch today with Rivervale?
You could drive away in a brand-new electric vehicle today!
"I can't afford one." That's where Salary Sacrifice can help
Upfront cost is a real barrier. Not everyone wants to buy outright, and not everyone wants the risk of depreciation.
One option that can make the switch easier for eligible drivers is EV Salary Sacrifice.
At Rivervale, we offer an EV Salary Sacrifice scheme to help make the move to electric simpler and more predictable on a monthly budget.
"What about the environment and battery production?"
EVs aren't perfect-and it's reasonable to ask about mining and manufacturing. But in day-to-day use, EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, and over the lifetime of a vehicle, many studies find they can be significantly cleaner than petrol cars, especially as the electricity grid continues to decarbonise.
"What if I do lots of long trips?"
If you regularly drive hundreds of miles in a day, you'll want an EV with suitable range and charging speed-and you'll need to plan stops. For some drivers, petrol or hybrid may still fit better right now. The goal isn't to claim EVs are ideal for everyone; it's to help people make a clear-eyed choice.
"What if I don't have a driveway?"
Home charging is the cheapest and easiest setup. If you don't have off-street parking, the decision can depend on how reliable local on-street charging is for you and whether workplace charging is available. The network is improving, but this is still a genuine consideration.
Key Takeaways
Many EV objections stem from outdated or incomplete information; the most effective way to persuade sceptics is with practical answers about cost, charging, and day-to-day convenience. For many UK drivers in 2026, home charging brings much lower per‑mile costs and reduced maintenance, a rapidly growing public network supports longer trips, and EVs deliver a smooth, responsive drive. Salary Sacrifice can improve affordability, while real constraints-frequent long journeys, no driveway, and environmental/battery concerns-are acknowledged. A simple checklist helps drivers judge fit, and for many motorists an EV can be cheaper and easier to live with than expected.
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