Should I buy an electric car?

Around 1 in 4 new cars sold in the UK in 2025 were electric. In this guide, we'll help you decide if one is right for you.

Is access to EV charging points improving?

According to our research, there are currently 28,734 council-owned public EV chargers across the UK. That number is set to almost double, with a further 24,687 chargers expected to be installed within the next 2 years. This would bring the total to over 50,000 by 2027. 

So access could improve, but as it stands today, existing EV owners are facing challenges at the charger. Almost half (45%) have experienced issues such as long wait times or chargers being fully occupied, while 38% have dealt with slow charging speeds.

Others report difficulties with payment systems (35%) and being blocked by non-EV vehicles or cars not actively charging in bays (31%).

While progress is being made, there’s still work to be done to make EV charging truly accessible, reliable, and convenient across the UK. 

Electric car range: How far can they go?

This depends on the car you buy. Early electric cars would struggle to do 30-40 miles on a single charge. Now there are models that do several times that distance.

In fact, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) found that the average electric range for new EVs launched in 2023 was nearly 300 miles - that's enough to travel from Exeter to Leeds. That's compared to 210 miles in 2020.

High-end cars are capable of some of the furthest ranges, but more everyday cars can now go much further, too.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

According to our EV zap map, this is what it costs to charge different vehicles assuming the price per kWh is 34p. We've also found what it would cost to charge these models at fast and rapid charge points. These charge more per kWh:

Multiply the battery size (kWh) by the cost per kWh and you get the total cost of a full charge. 

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

There are 3 charging speeds – slow, fast and rapid.

• Slow: A charge overnight at home or during the day at work takes between 8 and 10 hours.
• Fast: A charge somewhere like a car park or supermarket can recharge a battery in 3 or 4 hours.
• Rapid: If you can find a rapid charging point, it should take between 30 minutes to an hour, although not all electric cars have the capability for rapid charging.

You can charge your electric car either at home, at work or using a public charging point - such as a service station.

Are EV charging points accessible for wheelchair users?

Alongside the Department for Transport and the British Standards Institute (BSI), Motability says they plan to develop accessibility standards for EV charging points across the UK.

The guidance should help the EV industry solve the challenges raised by Motability. It should also give wheelchair users guidance on which EV charging points are:

• Fully accessible
• Partially accessible
• Not accessible

 Barry Le Grys, Chief Executive Officer at Motability, said:

How long do electric car batteries last?

Most manufacturers give an 8-year or a 100,000-mile warranty on their batteries. Most batteries in electric cars today are designed to last for at least 12 years – and could still be performing well for up to 2 decades.

Batteries in electric cars gradually become less efficient over time. In much the same way that batteries in mobile phones need more regular charging after they’ve been in use for a few years.

But the technology is improving all the time - and even after a decade of use, they should still give your electric car reliable service.

You could also lease your battery. This means that should it go wrong or start losing its charge, you can easily get it replaced as part of your leasing contract. It also reduces the initial price of the car, although you'd have to pay an ongoing monthly fee for the lease of the battery.

How much do electric cars cost?

The average price of an electric car in 2026 is around £46,000. But there are some cheaper models from £14,995.

Since April 2025, EV owners have had to pay tax. EV owners didn't have to pay this before, it was a big perk of owning an electric car.

But it's not all bad. Since 16 July 2025, car manufacturers have been able to apply for an electric car grant. This means people could save up to £3,750 when they upgrade or switch to an electric car that costs £37,000 or under.

How much is electric car insurance?

Electric car insurance is likely to cost a bit more than insuring a petrol car.

This is partly because electric cars are more expensive to buy. That increases the potential payout an insurer would need to make if your car was written off.

They can also have specialist mechanics, and parts can be harder to source. But as EVs become more common, this might be a thing of the past.

You should be able to insure your electric car with most motor insurance providers, but you might want to consider a specialist insurance policy.

Specialist policies can include electric car-specific features, like:

• Getting you to the nearest charging point if your battery dies.
• Specific cover for damage to your battery.
• Cover for things such as the charging cables, boxes, and adaptors that are vital when it comes to keeping your electric car on the road.

As with all car insurance, the best thing you can do is shop around for the best deal.

What is regenerative braking, and how does it feel to drive?

Ever wondered how EVs get a bit of extra range? Meet regenerative braking. It's how your electric car recharges its battery while you slow down, instead of just wasting that energy as heat. Think of it like a clever energy loop.

If you're used to petrol or diesel cars, this will feel different at first. In a regular car, lifting off the accelerator means you coast. In an EV, regenerative braking acts like a gentle brake, slowing you down and topping up the battery as soon as you lift your foot.

Some EVs even offer 'one-pedal driving'. This means you mostly use the accelerator pedal for both speeding up and slowing down. Lift off to brake, and press down to go. You'll still need the brake pedal for sudden stops, but many drivers quickly get the hang of it and love the smooth control.

Yes, there's a small learning curve. It might feel a bit odd when you first switch to an electric car, but most drivers adapt fast. Soon, many prefer the smoother, more controlled ride. It's a win-win: more range and a different driving experience.

What our motor insurance expert says

“Regenerative braking can take a little getting used to if you’ve spent years driving a petrol or diesel car. The important thing is that it’s not a drawback - it’s a different driving experience, and most people quickly adapt to the way an EV slows down and recovers energy.”

Matt Crole Rees Motor General Manager & Motor Insurance Expert

BEV or plug-in hybrid - which should I choose?

The main difference between a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is how they get their power.

Both offer a different experience to driving a petrol or diesel car, so it's worth weighing up what matters most to you before deciding.

• A BEV runs purely on electricity. No petrol or diesel engine means zero tailpipe emissions and fewer moving parts, so maintenance can be simpler. The catch? You need reliable charging access – at home, work, or public points.
• A PHEV mixes a smaller electric motor and battery with a petrol or diesel engine. This gives you electric driving for short trips, with the engine as backup for longer ones. But PHEVs are heavier and more complex than BEVs. Plus, their efficiency drops fast once they're running on just the engine.

So, which is best for you?

• A PHEV could be your pick if you're not ready to ditch the backup of petrol or diesel, or if you often do long journeys where charging isn't guaranteed.
• A BEV is likely the better choice if you can charge easily and want to go fully electric. With longer ranges and better charging infrastructure, they're becoming a smart option for more drivers.

What are the pros and cons of buying an electric car?

Pros

• Low running costs: Charging is cheaper than using fossil fuels, and electric cars can be cheaper to service because there are fewer moving parts. According to GOV.UK, you could save up to £700 a year with an EV.

• Better for the planet: Moving to electric from petrol and diesel is a key way to reduce emissions that are harmful to the environment.

• Great for shorter journeys: If you make short trips into town and back or a 15-mile commute twice a day, an electric car could be a perfect option for you.

Cons

• They cost more to buy: You can expect to pay more for an electric car.
• Journey planning: Until electric cars reach the range of petrol cars, you need to plan your journeys so you can be sure you're near a charging point when you need to refuel.
• Charging at home: This can be an issue, depending on where you live. If you live halfway up a tower block, it's harder to install a charging point than if you have a drive or a garage.
• Not great if you're frequently doing long trips: As we mentioned, EVs can reach up to 300 miles on a single charge. So if you regularly go on journeys of several hundred miles, you might want to wait a little longer or opt for the halfway house of a hybrid car. 

Methodology

Unless otherwise stated, all research was carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Confused.com of 2,000 UK drivers. This was conducted between 24th and 25th June 2025.

In February 2025, Confused.com issued a Freedom of Information request to UK councils, asking:

• How many public electric car charging points currently exist in your council area that you either own and/or manage? Please break this down by the type of charger they are.
• How many new public electric car charging points are you planning on installing in your council area in the next 2 years that you will own and/or manage? Please break this down by the type of charger they will be.
• How many requests for more public electric car charging points have you received from residents in your council area since 1.1.24?

Electric car range data is sourced from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT): https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/electric-vehicle-registrations/

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