The government has pledged to ban the sale of new fully petrol and diesel cars from 2030 in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
However, factors such as the price of electric cars and the limited availability of charging points have so far been barriers to the mass adoption of more eco-friendly vehicles.
So, on 15 July, the Department for Transport launched an Electric Car Grant to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles by making electric cars more affordable. Under the scheme, you could claim a discount of between £1,500 and £3,750 on eligible models of new electric cars.
The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, also announced that the government would invest £63 million to fund EV charging points.
So, if you’ve been on the fence about investing in a more sustainable vehicle, now might be the time to consider doing so.
Read on to learn more about electric cars and discover some of their advantages and disadvantages to help you decide if now’s the time to switch.
How electric cars work
An electric vehicle (EV) – sometimes known as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) – is a car that runs entirely on batteries and must be plugged in to charge.
Instead of a traditional combustion engine and fuel tank, most EVs have a pack of high-voltage batteries underneath the car that power one or more electric motors.
There are also plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which combine a combustion engine with a battery and electric motor, allowing users the flexibility to run the car on electricity, petrol or a combination.
However, we’ll be focusing on the pros and cons of fully electric vehicles as the government’s long-term aim is to only have emission-free vehicles on the road and as such, the new grant is not available for hybrid cars.
Advantages of electric cars
Figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that EVs accounted for one in four new car registrations in the UK in February 2025. Here are a few reasons why more people may be making the switch:
No direct emissions and less noise pollution
One of the main reasons to go electric is to protect our planet.
While conventional vehicles emit emissions through their tailpipe and fuel system, fully electric cars emit zero direct emissions because they run on electricity.
Moreover, EVs do not produce the level of noise you might be used to hearing from the combustion engine in your petrol or diesel car.
Energy efficiency
According to Autotrader, EVs use electricity up to a third more efficiently than petrol and diesel vehicles use fuel.
As a result, EVs typically consume less energy than a conventional vehicle for the same distance travelled, which means lower emissions and running costs – good news for the planet and your bank balance.
Lower running costs
The cost of charging an EV is typically far lower than the price of fuel.
Figures published by Best Chargers show that in July 2025, EVs cost around 7p per mile when charged at home using standard domestic electricity rates. In comparison, petrol cars cost between 12p to 21p per mile.
Exact costs depend on current energy and fuel prices, vehicle efficiency, and (for EVs) the charging method used.
Minimal maintenance
EVs have fewer moving parts than petrol, diesel, or PHEVs, so there’s less chance of something going wrong.
As such, you could save considerable time and money on trips to the garage and failed MOTs.
Disadvantages of electric cars
Limited driving range
The driving range of an EV depends on the age and size of its battery, along with other factors, such as your driving habits.
Money Supermarket reports that the average distance an EV can travel on a single charge is 236 miles, although this may be higher for models produced after 2023.
Of course, conventional cars also need topping up with fuel, but they often run for longer on a full tank compared to an EV. What’s more, there’s generally a petrol station not too far away if the needle drops into the red. Whereas the UK’s network of EV charging points is still developing, so you may need to plan long journeys with care.
Longer recharging time
Charging an EV generally takes much longer than filling up the tank of a petrol or diesel car.
According to Pod Point, a typical 60kWh battery EV takes around eight hours to charge from empty to full using a 7kW charging point. However, with a rapid charger you could add up to 100 miles of range to your car in under 35 minutes.
The larger your EV’s battery is and the slower the charging point, the longer it will take to top up.
Battery repairs and replacement can be expensive
An EV’s battery is one of the most expensive components to repair or replace. According to the RAC, a battery in a petrol or diesel car typically costs around £60 to £320 to replace.
In contrast, a Tesla Model S battery costs around £8,870 – plus the price of labour to remove the old battery and fit the new one.
Fortunately, most manufacturers offer a five to eight-year warranty on their EV batteries. However, they usually only have a lifespan of around 10 to 20 years. So, depending on how often you upgrade your car, you may need to factor this expense into your budget. Additionally, an older battery could affect the resale price you’re able to achieve.
Get in touch
If you’d like to supercharge your finances or want to learn more about managing your wealth sustainably, we can help.
Email helpme@aspirellp.co.uk or call 0117 9303510.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
Production
of clients believe that working with us has helped or will help them achieve their financial goals
of clients who answered definitively said they would recommend us to their friends, family or colleagues
of clients said they were satisfied with our communications during times of market volatility.