Are electric cars worth it?
Here’s 5 reasons UK drivers say yes.
UK drivers are switching to EVs in record numbers, but what’s actually motivating people to make the leap? And do those motivations hold up to the reality of EV ownership?
We surveyed EV drivers across the UK to understand why they’ve made the switch, and discovered why so many are missing out on the real cost and carbon savings they’d expected.
In this blog, we’ll share our findings, explaining how to make electric cars worth it.
EVs cut carbon and pollution
The domestic transport sector is the largest contributor to UK carbon emissions, and swapping from petrol or diesel to electric offers a straightforward solution to significantly reduce your carbon footprint. In fact, nearly half of EV drivers say reducing emissions and pollution is their number one motivation.
Despite this, when you take a closer look at where the charge is coming from – not all electric cars are charged with renewable power, meaning they’re still contributing to fossil fuels. Even some “100% renewable” tariffs don’t match with renewable electricity generation in real time.
So, to really make electric vehicles worth it for environmental gains, choosing a truly renewable tariff like Good Energy’s makes your effort more worthwhile. We buy our renewable electricity directly from independent UK generators and match it directly to your usage, so you know the energy charging your EV is genuinely 100% renewable, not just labelled that way.
EVs save money on fuel
Saving money ties as the greatest motivation for going electric, and the potential is huge. Charging at home using an EV tariff can cost far less than petrol or diesel, especially if you charge overnight when electricity demand is lower.
However, our research found that:15% of EV drivers aren’t using an EV tariff at all, 7% don’t know what tariff they’re on, and some EV tariffs charge over 15p/kWh – more than double the lowest rates available.
That means many drivers are missing out on hundreds of pounds in savings every year, simply because they haven’t made one simple switch.
A simple tariff switch could unlock the savings you expected when you bought your EV. For instance, Good Energy’s new EV Charge Tariff offers overnight charging at just 6.6p/kWh (midnight–5am), using electricity matched with 100% renewable power bought directly from UK generators. That way, you don’t have to choose between price and purpose.
Charging at home is convenient
35% of drivers told us they chose an EV because they love the convenience: no detours to petrol stations, no queues, no fuel price surprises.
So, home charging is one of the biggest lifestyle upgrades EVs offer. And when combined with low overnight rates, it’s also one of the cheapest ways to run a car.
But, without the right tariff or charging setup, drivers can still face slow charging times, higher costs than expected, or uncertainty around when it’s best to plug in. So, to truly unlock the convenience of home charging, you need a tariff that works with your routine.
EVs offer a better driving experience
26% of EV drivers cited performance as a key reason for switching. Instant acceleration, smoother handling and a quieter drive all contribute to a modern, responsive and enjoyable journey. For many, once they experience it, they don’t want to go back.
EVs avoid low-emission zone charges
With more cities introducing clean air zones, 23% of drivers chose an EV to avoid daily charges for driving in restricted areas. For people living or working in these zones, the savings can add up quickly, especially when commuting or travelling through them becomes part of everyday life.
So, yes – EVs can be absolutely worth it, but make far more sense for the planet and your wallet if you’re on the right kind of tariff. For one of the lowest overnight rates on the market, discover our new EV tariff to ensure your charging is as green as it can be – at less than 2p per mile*.
* Based on charging a 65kW EV battery for 7.5 hours @6.6p/kWh with an estimated range of 225 miles. A five-hour charge will cost £2.44, and a full charge from £4.29 and 1.9p per mile. Off-peak period is five hours per day only, from 12am-5am, meaning for a full charge you’d have to complete the charge across two off-peak periods. The cost of charging the same car for 7.5 consecutive hours would be around £10.
What makes this a greener charge? Charging your EV with Good Energy is greener than charging with the UK’s standard electricity fuel mix because we match every unit of electricity you use with 100% renewable power from our community of over 3,000 UK generators. Our tariffs are independently verified for their renewable sourcing – so you can be sure your charge makes a positive difference. Learn more at goodenergy.co.uk/what-makes-good-energy-different
