What are the main benefits of electric cars?

In the world of cars, the future is electric.

With new petrol and diesel car sales ending by 2030, the majority of new cars will be electric, reshaping how we drive and think about transport.

And that’s a good thing. Electric cars, more than 1.55 million of which are already on UK roads, offer a range of clear benefits. Let’s look at the most important ones:

1. Better for the environment
2. Lower fuel costs
3. Lower running costs
4. Quieter and more relaxing to drive
5. Outperforming ICE cars
6. Refuel at home
7. More efficient
8. The future, now

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

1. Better for the environment

Private cars and vans account for over 25% of global oil use and around 10% of energy-related CO2 emissions. In the UK, each car produces an average of 1.42 metric tons of CO2 annually.

Why does this matter? Because rising CO2 levels are exacerbating climate change, causing sea levels to rise, extreme weather, droughts, floods, and threats to biodiversity.

Switching from fossil fuel vehicles to electric cars is a vital step. While EVs generate some emissions during manufacturing, especially from battery production, they still produce far fewer emissions over their lifetime than petrol or diesel cars – and that gap will widen as electricity gets greener with more use of wind, solar, and nuclear power.

EVs also cut air pollution. They produce no tailpipe emissions such as nitrogen oxides or carbon monoxide. While tyre and brake particulates remain, technologies such as regenerative braking are helping to reduce them.

2. Lower fuel costs

Switching to an EV can cut your “fuel” costs significantly. While energy prices do fluctuate, charging an electric car is generally cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel.

For example, if you charge an EV at home on a typical domestic tariff of around £0.24/kWh and drive 1,000 miles a month, you’d spend roughly £720 a year on electricity. In comparison, a petrol car covering the same distance, with an average fuel cost of £1.45 per litre, could cost around £1,900 annually.

Public rapid chargers are usually pricier, ranging from £0.76 to £0.85/kWh, so charging at home remains the most cost-effective option.

3. Lower running costs

Owning an electric car doesn’t just save you money on “fuel” – most running costs are lower, too.

Servicing is cheaper because EVs have fewer moving parts. There’s no engine, no oil changes, and far less that can wear out, cutting maintenance costs by around 30% over five years.

Company car drivers also save with low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax, which is 2% right now, rising to 3% next year and 5% by 2027. That’s still much lower than the up to 25-37% rate range on petrol and diesel cars.

Electric car owners now have to pay road tax (VED) – £10 in the first year then £195 annually thereafter – but that’s still a lot less than what many fossil-fuel cars pay.

You’ll also avoid paying to enter Clean Air Zones in cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, and Bath, as well as London’s ULEZ, which is a big win for commuters.

Electric cars are also exempt from the Congestion Charge, although this exemption is set to expire on 25 December 2025.

4. Quieter and more relaxing to drive

Anyone who’s driven an electric car will know how quiet it is. Apart from a faint high-pitched whine at low speeds, there’s no engine noise or vibration – just some wind and tyre noise, especially on the motorway. The result is a calmer, more peaceful drive.

This quietness makes EVs more relaxing to drive than petrol or diesel cars. Without engine noise in the background, many drivers report feeling less stressed behind the wheel.

Research backs this up: EV drivers tend to be calmer and more focused. A study of London cabbies found those in electric taxis were less stressed than diesel drivers. Other studies show EVs encourage smoother driving. And even dogs feel more relaxed in them, according to Skoda.

If this effect holds true at scale, the shift to EVs could mean fewer crashes, less road rage, and happier drivers overall.

5. Outperforming ICE cars

Some drivers still associate electric cars with sluggish milk floats, but that perception is long out of date

Modern electric cars are seriously quick. The Tesla Model S Plaid, for example, can go from 0-60mph in 1.99 seconds – faster than a Ferrari LaFerrari supercar – yet it’s still a practical family saloon. Even more affordable EVs offer impressive acceleration thanks to instant torque delivery from a standstill.

EVs also typically use a single-speed transmission, meaning smooth, uninterrupted power delivery. And with fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel cars, they transfer energy to the wheels more efficiently.

The bottom line is, today’s EVs don’t just match traditional cars – in many cases, they outperform them.

6. Refuel at home

Imagine telling your grandkids that you used to drive to a special station just to fill your car with flammable liquid. To future generations, that might sound as outdated as using a phone box.

With an electric car, especially if you have off-street parking, you can simply plug in at home. No detours, no queues, no last-minute fuel stops. Just charge overnight and start your day with a full battery.

It might seem like a small change, but charging where you live rather than going out of your way to refuel makes everyday life that bit easier.

7. More efficient

Electric cars are far more efficient than petrol or diesel cars. While EVs convert over 75% of the energy from the battery into motion, traditional ICE cars only use about 20% of the fuel’s energy to move – the rest is lost as heat and friction.

To put it simply: for every five litres of fuel you buy, only one actually powers your car. The rest goes to waste.

Switching to electric cars means we waste less energy overall, which benefits our wallets and the planet.

8. The future, now

The UK’s aiming for Net Zero by 2050, and while progress is mixed, switching to electric cars is one area where we’re actually seeing change, even if we’re not moving as fast as some other countries.

But the shift is happening. There are now more EV charging points in the UK than petrol stations, and more are popping up every week.

EVs are also built to last. Like smartphones, many get over-the-air software updates that fix bugs and add new features, so your car can actually get better over time.

Electric cars aren’t just the future – they’re already here. So why not get on board now?

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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