The survey found that 47% of fossil fuel drivers are tempted to make the switch to electric, citing the significantly lower running costs as a major factor.
The appeal of lower costs
Fuel prices continue to soar, with the average cost of a litre of petrol now exceeding £1.45 in the UK. In contrast, charging an EV can be as low as 7p per kilowatt-hour (kWh) on a clean energy tariff.
Drivers using tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go – EV Saver can save up to £1,000 annually compared to running a petrol or diesel car. The survey showed that 34% of fossil fuel drivers consider the lower running costs the main reason for wanting to switch to an EV.
Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said: “This research is clear – almost half of the UK’s drivers are ready to get an electric car today, and yet they make up less than a quarter of the cars being sold.
“Certain laggard car manufacturers may claim drivers aren’t ready for EVs, but they underestimate UK drivers’ appreciation for the value, fun, and peace of mind electric cars offer.”
“Government policies like the ZEV Mandate are critical to keep driving the manufacturers to bring affordable electric cars to UK drivers. Those manufacturers are grabbing market share, and there’s a race on to be the brands of our future roads.”
Drivers love EVs and the charging experience
Almost all EV drivers (96%) are satisfied with their vehicles and plan to buy another electric car for their next purchase. The top reasons for making the switch to electric are a desire to positively impact the environment (55%), staying ahead with the latest technology (41%), and enjoying cheaper running costs (40%).
EV drivers also debunk the myth of inadequate charging infrastructure. Four in five (79%) EV drivers reported a good experience with public charging, while 13% said their experience was neither good nor bad. This dispels outdated claims that charging is inconvenient.
On average, EV drivers with home chargers do two-thirds of their charging at home, and 88% of them take advantage of low-cost EV-specific tariffs.
The survey also revealed that EV drivers use public rapid chargers only about 10 times a month, and with over 14,000 rapid or ultra-rapid charging connectors available in the UK, there is ample infrastructure to support the growing number of EVs.
Tackling EV myths
Despite the clear benefits, misinformation still affects public perception. One in ten people wrongly believe EVs are more expensive to run than petrol or diesel cars. This highlights the need for continued education on the true cost savings and environmental benefits of going electric.
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