About Electric Vehicles: Everything You Need to Know

What Are Electric Vehicles?

As simple as it sounds, an electric vehicle (usually shortened to EV) is a vehicle that is powered solely and exclusively by an electric motor with energy delivered by a battery. In all-electric vehicles, there is no internal combustion engine (ICE) as there is in petrol or diesel cars; this is why, when discussing EVs, petrol and diesel models are referred to as ICE vehicles.

Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles are often talked about in the same way, but there are clear differences. You can read more about the different types of ‘electric vehicles’ here, with explanations of BEVs, PHEVs, MHEVs and HEVs – but it’s only Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) that are all-electric.

Understanding EV Technology

Electric cars run on a rechargeable battery that powers an electric motor, which then drives the wheels. This direct and efficient transfer of energy is what gives EVs their smooth, near-instant acceleration, making them feel responsive and agile on the road. 

The battery size and capacity varies between models, with larger batteries storing more energy and offering greater driving range. However, larger batteries also add weight, which can impact efficiency. Most EVs use lithium-ion battery packs, though some models may incorporate multiple battery units to optimise performance and range. 

If you’d like to explore the different types of electric vehicles and EV batteries in more detail, our in-depth guides provide everything you need to know. From battery technology and charging options to choosing the right EV for your lifestyle, we’ve got you covered. 

Are Electric Cars the Future?

Electric cars are widely accepted as being the future of motoring, although there is still lots of progress to be achieved in terms of improving and expanding the charging infrastructure in the UK, as well as making EVs more accessible for all.

Government incentives have gradually been phased out or reduced in recent years, too, with less emphasis on financial support for buying EVs and more focus on charging assistance. 

Despite some of the challenges there are encouraging signs that EV sales are growing. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) in 2024 there were 381,970 sales of new EVs, compared to 314,687 in 2023; a market share increase of 19.6% v 16.5%. In December 2024 v December 2023, there were 43,656 new EV sales compared to 27,841 – representing a market share of 31%, second only to new petrol vehicle sales, and ahead of diesel sales.

When Will Petrol and Diesel Cars Be Banned in the UK?

The date for the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars is 2030.

However, this date has changed a few times and could do so again. It was originally set for 2040, then brought forward to 2030, then pushed back to 2035 before the 2030 date was restored yet again. This is subject to a consultation by the UK government.

As it currently stands, no new petrol or diesel vehicles will be sold from 2030 onwards. And, all new cars and vans sold will need to produce zero tailpipe emissions by 2035, so there will be a ban on sales of new hybrid vehicles by then, too.

How Will the Ban Affect Car Owners?

The petrol and diesel car ban in the UK will have an impact on car owners, though the effects probably won’t be noticed so much in 2030. That’s just the date from which new petrol or diesel vehicles will no longer be available to buy. If you already own a petrol or diesel vehicle, you’ll still be able to drive it. You could, for example, buy a new ICE car in 2029 and drive it quite happily for the years after that. Or, in 2030, you could buy a used petrol or diesel car, even a vehicle that’s just a year old. If you’re that way inclined, you’ll still be able to drive an ICE car for a good while yet – there are currently no plans to stop selling petrol, or diesel, fuel.

What’s likely to happen is that fewer petrol and diesel cars will be seen on UK roads, and manufacturers will stop producing them. Hybrid cars will still be available to buy from new until 2035, though production of these will surely begin to gradually slow down in the years before that deadline.

Why Is the Government Phasing Out Petrol & Diesel Cars?

The Government is phasing out petrol and diesel cars for the same reasons electric vehicles were introduced in the first place – to move away from a reliance on fossil fuels and to reduce the carbon emissions caused by ICE vehicles.

There is also a belief that transitioning to an electric-powered future will deliver higher economic growth, better jobs, and cheaper bills for UK residents.

Are Electric Cars Cheaper to Run?

It’s well known that one of the main benefits of electric cars for drivers are the reduced running costs; electric cars are just, overall, cheaper to run. The big difference here is vastly reduced fuel costs. With petrol and diesel costs rising in recent years, filling up an ICE vehicle has gotten more expensive. By comparison, recharging an electric car may only cost a small amount – especially if you have a home charging point and an EV specific energy tariff. You can read more about home charging here.

Do EVs Have Lower Maintenance Costs?

Generally, electric cars tend to have lower maintenance costs compared to petrol or diesel cars. While EVs aren’t invincible and still need looking after – tyres will still suffer wear and tear and need changing, brake pads will eventually need replacing – electric cars generally have fewer moving parts, so therefore fewer components that may need repairing.

It’s important that drivers of EVs are aware that their car still needs looking after, but typically, there should be a lot less to spend on them. In fact, the Energy Saving Trust reported that servicing and maintenance costs could be up to 40% lower than ICE vehicles.

Are EVs More Convenient Than Petrol Cars?

When it comes to convenience, it’s fair to say with an EV, there are pros and cons. If you have a home charging point installed, driving an electric car can be very convenient; just plug it in via a charging cable and charge up the vehicle whenever you choose. That’s easier than driving to a fuel station to fill up a petrol car.

However, if you’re on a longer journey, EVs with smaller batteries may require more frequent charging stops. You can recharge mid-drive by locating a public charging station, with many motorway services and key locations now offering fast and ultra-rapid chargers. Some charging points may require a subscription or an app for access, so it’s worth planning ahead to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.

Financial Incentives for EV Owners

For private buyers of EVs, there are some financial incentives in owning an electric car – but not as many as a few years ago. There’s no longer any financial contribution towards buying a new EV, and some of the grants for installing home charge points have been gradually scaled back.

Road tax on electric cars was free until April 2025, but new EVs registered after that date will pay £10 in year one, followed by the standard rate of £195. 

EV’s are also currently/were previously exempt from the Expensive Car Supplement, also known as luxury car tax. However from April 2025, EV’s with a list price of over £40,000 will now incur the additional tax after the first year of registration.

EVs still remain exempt from any congestion charges though. Also, if your employer runs a salary sacrifice scheme, this is a great opportunity to lease a new electric car and save money on tax – as deductions are made from your gross salary, not net salary.

Do EVs Reduce Carbon Emissions?

Yes, electric vehicles (EVs) significantly reduce carbon emissions, making them one of the most effective ways to lower your environmental impact while driving. If EVs didn’t offer a greener alternative, there wouldn’t be such a strong global push for their adoption or the continued investment in their development. 

Unlike petrol and diesel cars, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they don’t release harmful CO2 or nitrogen oxides (NOx) directly into the air. However, some emissions are associated with generating the electricity needed to charge an EV. Even when considering the full life cycle, including electricity production, EVs still produce far fewer emissions than their petrol and diesel counterparts. 

According to EDF Energy, the average CO2 emissions per kilometre for an EV stand at just 50g of CO2, compared to 165g for a petrol car and 170g for a diesel car. That’s over a 70% reduction in carbon emissions when switching from a conventional petrol or diesel vehicle to an EV. 

This gap is set to grow even wider as the UK transitions to more renewable energy sources, making EVs even cleaner over time. With charging networks increasingly powered by wind, solar, and hydroelectric energy, the carbon footprint of an EV will continue to shrink. So, for those looking to drive in a way that helps the environment, EVs offer a huge step in the right direction. 

Do Electric Cars Use Renewable Energy?

Electric cars can use renewable energy, yes. For example, you can use solar panels or wind turbines to charge an electric car and you can also charge your EV at home, using a home charge point, during off-peak hours. This means you’re using electricity when there’s less demand on the national grid, therefore reducing the strain on it.

Many energy suppliers offer a low tariff to encourage EV drivers to charge at the greenest possible times of the day. This is also known as smart charging.

EV Recycling & Battery Life

EV batteries have a reasonably long life but do gradually degrade, reducing performance and slowly becoming less effective. The battery in an electric car can last around 18-20 years if not longer, or around 200,000 miles, though there are ways to maximise battery life and preserve it as much as possible. In most instances, the battery life will exceed that of the usable life of the vehicle itself. 

Disposing of an old electric car battery can bring benefits though – they can often be recycled and used again for other purposes; not in cars, but typically as a battery energy storage system.

While EV battery packs can’t be disposed of like rubbish and dumped in landfill, they can have a ‘second life’ and continue to have a useful function.

How Cold Weather Affects EV Battery Performance

Cars – like people – tend not to like the cold, and it’s true that lower temperatures can affect the performance of an EV’s battery.

Technically speaking, the colder weather can reduce the effectiveness of the lithium-ion in an EV, slowing down the internal chemical process which affects its ability to hold and deliver power. What’s important for any EV driver to know is that in colder weather, the battery range might be reduced. Older electric cars are more likely to be affected by any temperature change than new EVs.

Don’t panic though, you can still drive an electric car in the cold – and bear in mind that the UK has relatively mild winters compared to many other nations that drive EVs - such as Norway.

Tips for Maximising EV Range in Winter

The best tip for maximising the range of your EV in winter – and at other times of the year, too – is to precondition your EV before travelling. This is a setting you can activate while the car is charging, and it prepares the vehicle and battery before you drive it.

In cold weather, this usually means heating the interior of the car, and the exterior – getting the inside of the vehicle nice and warm, and defrosting a frozen windscreen. Because you use preconditioning for this, the car is heated while it’s still plugged into the charger, and therefore uses mains power and not any of the battery’s capacity.

The vehicle will also get a chance to warm the battery to optimal operating temperatures before you set off on your journey.

If you heat the car while it’s not plugged in, you’ll use battery power to defrost the windscreen. In freezing temperatures this can take several minutes, possibly reducing the battery range by a few miles before you even drive off. If you do need to heat the vehicle while driving, do so intermittently; turn the heating off when the car has warmed up and the windscreen clear. If your vehicle has them, use heated seats instead of the heater blower, as this uses less energy.

If your electric car has driving modes, select the eco-driving mode. This can help to preserve battery power. Also, drive conservatively. Keeping to speed limits and driving steadily rather than accelerating rapidly can also help to maintain battery range.

Are Some EVs Better in Cold Weather?

Battery range always varies across different electric cars, so if you’re expecting to drive reasonable distances regularly and need a longer range, it’s wise to choose a model with that kind of capacity. The BMW i4, for example, has a range of up to 365 miles.

However, there is another tip here. Some electric cars may come with a heat pump fitted. Instead of using a fan heater to heat the car, the heat pump does the job instead and is far more efficient. This means it uses less of the battery’s power, so EVs with a heat pump should, technically, see less range reduction in cold weather.

Heat pumps might be included in standard spec on new EVs but are typically available as an option that you need to request when ordering an electric car.

Understanding EV Terminology

For EV newbies, some of the terminology associated with electric cars can seem confusing but again, it will soon become second nature.

Some of the key terms you might hear frequently are phrases like:

• Regenerative braking (otherwise known as regen braking). EVs have a regenerative braking system, which is designed to recharge the battery using the kinetic energy as you lift off the accelerator or use the brakes.
• kWh – A kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) measures how much energy is used in an hour.
• AC/DC charging – AC means Alternating Current, DC means Direct Current. AC is what’s used to power home appliances – like boiling a kettle – while DC is used to charge batteries. A charge point for an EV will convert AC to DC to power the battery.

Where Can I Charge My EV?

There are lots of options for charging an EV, especially with the charging infrastructure expanding all the time.

Many people choose to have a home chargepoint installed so they can charge their electric car at home. This is the most convenient option, and usually works out cheaper compared to charging publicly.

There are also plenty of public charge points available – typically located in service stations, retail car parks, leisure centres, and other public places. Some areas of the UK also have on-street charge points, while many workplaces provide charging stations for their employees to use.

Read our guide on How to Charge an Electric Car here.