Electric cars – a definitive guide and tips for buyers

Electric car sales in the UK have risen dramatically in recent years. Over 473,000 new electric cars joined UK roads in 2025 alone, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

With help from the Energy Saving Trust, we’ve put together this buyer's guide to help you decide whether to go electric.

Types of electric and plug-in vehicles

If you’re considering an electric vehicle for the first time, you might be confused by the terminology you’re faced with. A summary of the commercially available electric car types is as follows:

1. Electric vehicle (EV)
2. Battery electric vehicle (BEV)
3. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
4. Hybrid (HEV)
5. Mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV)
6. Range-extended electric vehicle (RE-EV)
7. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV)

For more info about these vehicles, read our guide to the different types of electric vehicles.

What EVs are available?

The last few years has seen an explosion in the number of different electric car models available to buyers - we estimate there are over 150 different models on sale today.

This includes everything from budget city cars like the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03, right up to high-end luxury models like the BMW i7 and Rolls-Royce Spectre.

You'll find vans, sports cars, family SUVs and MPVs with battery power on the market. There's even a handful of electric seven-seaters, too.

Here’s an up to date look at all the latest electric, hybrid and plug-in car reviews. We review used EVs, hybrids and PHEVs too.

How many electric vehicles are there in the UK?

There are in excess of 1.75 million fully electric cars on UK roads, according to data from Zapmap. That's an increase of around one million since the end of 2021 - and SMMT data shows that grew by over 473,000 in 2025 alone.

Government forecasts estimate that the UK will have at least 8 million electric and hybrid cars on its roads by 2030. Analysis by thinktank New AutoMotive claimed that electric cars could overtake diesels on UK roads by 2030.

Electric car buyers guide

Where can I buy an EV?

New EVs can be bought from vehicle dealerships or leased through leasing companies in the same way as conventional cars.

Tesla is an exception in that it does not have a traditional dealer network and most sales are online. Other manufacturers are considering this sales model, too, and already sell cars online.

Used EVs can also be bought through traditional vehicle sales outlets including franchised and independent dealers. 

If you’re buying a used EV, look for a retailer certified for its EV knowledge and excellence through the Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme. 

This scheme is operated by the National Franchised Dealers Association and is approved by the Energy Saving Trust, which audits the retailers, and by the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. 

In 2024, used car sales and auction firm BCA brought in its own EV Battery Health Grading, where electric cars are tested for the remaining battery charge level and life of the battery pack.

Upfront cost

Some people buy electric cars because they’re fascinated by the tech (we’re looking at you, Tesla owners), while others base their decision on an ethical desire to go green.

For most of us, though, an electric car needs to make financial sense, which means considering the costs.

How much does an electric car cost?

EVs generally have higher purchase costs prices than an equivalent petrol or diesel car, but that gap is narrowing each year. EV running costs are lower, too, as fuel, tax and maintenance are all, generally, significantly cheaper. 

The cheapest new EV currently available in the UK, the Dacia Spring, starts at under £13,000 once the Electric Car Grant has been deducted. That makes it one of the cheapest cars on sale regardless of power.

Used EVs can be purchased in the UK from as low as £1,500, although many at that price will give you a limited range on a charge.

As with conventional cars, buying second-hand is a much cheaper option, but then you’ll have to consider a potentially slightly deteriorated battery life. And buying a new battery is nearly tantamount to a write-off.

Generally, EV batteries have a long life, and degradation is minor. There will be a gradual reduction in capacity and range after many years, however. Here’s more info on EV battery life.

You’re not spoilt for choice, either, as there are far fewer pure electric cars for sale second-hand than petrol and diesel models.

The Nissan Leaf is the most common used EV, followed by the Renault Zoe.

Electric car leasing is often a much more affordable option for those looking to make the switch. Find out why in our EV leasing guide.

Electric car prices

Just like their petrol and diesel equivalents, the price of electric cars varies widely, from less than £15,000 to well over £300,000.

We have outlined rough prices for new electric cars within three budget levels below – just remember to check whether your choice is eligible for the Electric Car Grant.

Top end EVs:

Mid-range EVs

Entry level EVs:

Early used electric cars, such as the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe, are entering banger territory, with plenty of examples available for under £2,000.

You'll want to ensure they have some battery life left at that price, though.

Find used EVs in your area with our RAC Approved Dealer network.

Cheapest electric cars

If we ignore the two-seat Citroen Ami (because it's a quadricycle limited to 28mph, not a car) the cheapest electric cars include the Leapmotor T03 and Dacia Spring.

We've got a rundown of the best new and used EVs for those on a budget. Read our cheapest electric cars guide.

Electric car battery lease

Today almost all EVs have owned, not leased batteries. Until a few years ago leasing the batteries was more common.

This was mainly to de-risk the process for EV purchasers, since if a battery failed or suffered a major loss of performance it would be replaced under the lease agreement. Leasing EV batteries also helps keep purchase costs down.

Used EV buyers are more likely to come across leased batteries – some of the earlier Leafs and Zoes have them. If you buy a used EV with leased batteries, you also need to sign a battery lease contract with the relevant car manufacturer.

EV warranty

EVs typically have between five and eight years’ (or 100,000 miles) warranty on the electric motor and battery components, which includes a performance guarantee to deliver around 70% of their original charge capacity.

For the rest of the car, the length of warranty depends on the manufacturer. It ranges from three years and 60,000 miles to seven years and 100,000 miles.

How much does it cost to run an electric car?

Fuel costs are much lower for EVs than for conventionally fuelled vehicles. The cost to charge an EV depends on the size of the battery and where you’re charging it.

Drivers that are able to charge at their workplace usually also receive free charging and there is no benefit-in-kind liability associated with this.

Check out our in-depth guide to electric car running costs.

Electric car maintenance, service and repair

Compared with petrol and diesel vehicles, EV servicing and maintenance costs are considerably lower.

This is because electric motors contain many fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines. In addition, EVs don’t have other familiar car parts like a gearbox, clutch, exhaust, catalytic converter or starter motor.

Even the brake pads and discs receive much less wear and tear because much of an EV’s braking is achieved through regenerative braking. 

Read our EV maintenance, service and repairs guide.

Book an electric car service.

Electric car MOTs

Like all cars, EVs have to pass an annual MOT test after they are three years old. The main difference is there is no emissions test.

The maximum car MOT test fee is £54.85, but many garages will undercut this.

Find a reliable garage with our RAC Approved Garages search tool.

Does all that tech mean more servicing?

Electric cars still need regular servicing according to the manufacturer’s schedule, although there are fewer parts to fix. 

Until the battery needs replacement, your biggest outlay is likely to be new tyres.

And in terms of ‘more tech’, many issues will likely be software-related. These can be fixed remotely ‘over the air’ by many EV manufacturers.

How do you service an electric car?

An electric car should be serviced at a dealer that sells new EVs or a non-franchised service outlet where the technicians have been trained in high voltage system service and repair.

Electric car insurance

Insurance ratings – and thus costs – for electric cars tend to be slightly higher than for petrol or diesel equivalents. However, you may be able to negotiate a limited-mileage policy to keep costs down.

If you lease a battery, it remains the property of the car manufacturer, so your insurance company should be informed.

Read our full guide to EV car insurance.

EV Breakdown Cover

EVs are more reliable than conventional vehicles, but some parts can still cause breakdowns – such as tyres and the 12 volt starter battery.

From mobile recharging to all-wheels-up rapid deployment trailers, we do more than any other breakdown provider to keep you and your EV on the road. Read more about our EV breakdown cover options here.

Electric car road tax

Before April 2025, electric cars were eligible for zero road tax. However, this all changed after this date, with both new and used electric cars now liable to pay car tax (VED) as well as the Expensive Car Supplement if the car's list price strays above £50,000.

Full details can be found in our up-to-date Electric Car Road Tax Guide.

Electric Car Grant

After a few years of absence, the UK Government reintroduced the Electric Car Grant in Autumn 2025.

You can get the full details in our Electric Car Grant guide, but to summarise: the grant gives a maximum of £3,750 off the list price of electric cars that start at or below £37,000.

The manufacturer of the car applies for the grant directly, but there are two levels of the Electric Car Grant depending on sustainability criteria.  

Still, if you’re considering the economics of purchasing an EV, remember that prices quoted by dealers will often have the value of the grant already deducted.

How much does it cost to install an electric car charger at home?

The typical cost of a home charge point is between £500 to £1,500. Here’s a full rundown in our electric car charging at home guide.

Under its Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, OZEV currently offers a grant of up to 75% of this cost for renters or flat owners, capped at a maximum grant of £350.

EV Charging

Charging your electric car can be done at home, at work or at a public charging point.

However, the world of EV charging can be complicated. There are different rates, charging speeds, voltages, battery sizes, ranges and connectors.

Check out our in-depth guide to how electric car charging works, how much it costs, and how long it takes.

Electric car range

New EVs typically have ranges of 200 to 400 miles, whereas older EVs are more likely to have ranges of around 100 miles.

Read our full guide on electric car range here.

Electric car battery life

Expect to see a minimum of 10 years and 100,000 miles of service from a modern electric car battery before range degradation becomes an issue.

Most EV battery warranties cover you for 8 years or 100,000 miles, guaranteeing that the battery will retain at least 70% of its original capacity by this point.

You don't have to look hard to find ex-fleet or ex-taxi electric cars with over 250,000 miles under their belt on the original battery.

Read more in our full guide on how long EV batteries last.

Car battery replacement.

EV environmental impact

With no tailpipe emissions, electric cars contribute to reducing pollution in cities.

Non-tailpipe emissions such as brake dust and tyre particles will still be a factor, although the scale of their impact is still under investigation.

For more, read our full guide to the environmental impact of electric vehicles.

Driving an EV

The first thing you’ll notice when driving an electric car is the silence.

The lack of a gearbox means acceleration is smooth and seamless. And because they produce maximum torque from a standstill, even basic models are quick off the mark. 

Apart from a faint hum when accelerating, the only noises come from the wind and tyres.

Gears in all EVs are automatic, while regenerative brakes slow the car when you lift off the accelerator to top up the batteries. Many cars even have ‘one-pedal’ settings. This means that when you lift off the accelerator, the regenerative braking is much more severe – so you can roll to a stop at a junction and rarely need the brakes at all. 

Some of our favourite electric cars let you adjust the level of regenerative braking on the fly via steering wheel-mounted paddles.

EV performance

Electric motors produce their peak pulling power straight away, so there’s no need to rev the motor for swift acceleration, unlike in a conventional car.

Because you get full power and torque the second you press the throttle pedal in an EV, most initially feel much faster than a petrol or diesel equivalent, which has to change gear or spool up a turbocharger to achieve peak power.

Car manufacturers have more flexibility when it comes to packaging electric drivetrains. Mounting battery-packs close to the floor to lower the centre of gravity means EVs often handle well, too.

Electric car safety

Many electric cars are based on conventional petrol/diesel models, so there is no big difference in EV safety compared to internal combustion engine-powered cars.

The number of purpose-built EVs is growing, and the ability to package components more creatively (such as fitting batteries beneath the floor) allows for more effective crash structures.

Euro NCAP conducted its first crash test of a pure electric vehicle in 2011, when the Mitsubishi i-MiEV was awarded a four-star rating. 

Since then, several other popular EVs have been awarded five-star safety ratings from Euro NCAP.

Does an electric car suit you?

Only a few years ago, we'd have said EVs were best suited to city-dwellers or suburbanites who commute less than 100 miles a day. That’s because the existing charging infrastructure was far more developed in cities than in rural areas.

However, both the ranges of electric cars and the charging network has improved dramatically in the last few years, making electric car ownership viable for a good portion (possibly even the majority) of motorists. However, with the high cost of public rapid charging, it's most cost-effective if you have a driveway or parking outside your house, allowing you to make use of cheaper home charging.

However, this is changing - and with the government announcing new funding to expand its charging network - it is becoming a lot more convenient to drive an EV.

EVs are slightly more expensive to buy - both new and used - however, when factoring in whole life costs including maintenance, charging and servicing, there are many other advantages of owning an EV.

With the benefits of owning an EV increasing, now is the time to think about making the switch.

What are the Government’s targets for EVs?

The UK Government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate has changed a few times recently, and may be revised again following the EU's decision to water down its own 2035 petrol and diesel car ban.

Currently, the requirement is for 100% of new car and van sales to be zero emission by 2035 - meaning no pure petrol or diesel models can be sold.

However, carmakers have individual annual targets for the percentage of electric models in their sales figures, which are as follows:

• 2025: 28% of new car sales must be zero-emission.
• 2026: 33% of new car sales must be zero-emission.
• 2027: 38% of new car sales must be zero-emission.
• 2028: 52% of new car sales must be zero-emission.
• 2029: 66% of new car sales must be zero-emission.
• 2030: 80% of new car sales must be zero-emission.

The first two targets have been missed by most manufacturers, resulting in fines.

Are EVs only suitable as second cars?

A few years ago maybe, but today many new EVs have ranges in excess of 300 miles per charge and are a practical option for a first or only car. Many EV owners also own a petrol or diesel car, but many consider the EV to be the first car, with the combustion-engined car as a back-up for occasional long journeys.

Do you need a special driving licence for an EV?

No, you can drive an EV on a normal driving licence for that category of vehicle.

If you pass your driving test in an EV, can you drive a petrol or diesel vehicle?

Since EVs don’t have gears, if you pass your driving test in an EV you can drive a petrol or diesel car, but only an automatic.

Are EVs only suitable for urban driving?

No, EVs will cruise effortlessly at motorway speeds and many, especially newer models, have ranges of well over 300 miles.

The RAC is leading the way when it comes to supporting drivers in the switch to electric vehicles.

An ever-increasing number of our patrol vans have built-in emergency mobile charging systems capable of giving an out-of-charge electric car enough power to be driven a short distance home or to a working chargepoint, while our All-Wheels-Up recovery system allows our patrols to safely rescue electric cars with no need for a flatbed.

Find out more about the RAC’s electric car breakdown cover.

Can I get a free electric car charger?

The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) provides EV owners with up to £350 for a charger. However, this is now only applicable for renters or those who own a flat.