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Published: 03 Oct 2025

Perceived cost issues blocking the EV transition as many Brits still unconvinced by savings from driving electric

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Perceived cost issues blocking the EV transition as many Brits still unconvinced by savings from driving electric: EVTT Charging Image

  • Over a third (36%) of future car buyers say they won't consider an EV for their next vehicle, with 29% of this group citing that EVs are more expensive to run than petrol/ diesel cars as a key reason for this. 
  • However, those already driving electric cite strong financial benefits, with over half (51%) agreeing petrol/diesel vehicles are more expensive to run than EVs. 
  • As a fifth (19%) of drivers are unsure whether an EV is for them, Motability Operations believes offering all drivers greater information on the financial benefits of driving electric will be vital and is providing its customers with an EV Cost Calculator to help them determine whether an EV could work for them. 

Over a third (36%) of future car buyers say they will not consider an EV for their next vehicle, with almost one in three (29%) from this group citing concerns about higher running costs as a key reason behind this.  

That’s according to the second edition of the ‘EV Transition Tracker’, created by Motability Operations - the company that runs the Motability Scheme, connecting disabled drivers to freedom and independence. 

When the UK public were asked about specific cost comparisons, 65% said they believe the retail/list price of EVs to be higher than petrol or diesel vehicles.  

Half (49%) believed EVs to be more expensive for ‘whole life’ cost, while over a third (35%) believed them to be more expensive for servicing and maintenance, and 1 in 3 (30%) believed EVs to have higher overall running costs.  

Too many simply don’t know 

Alongside the perception that EVs cost more to run than petrol or diesel vehicles, many drivers remain uncertain about whether an EV could be the right next vehicle for them. 

One in five (19%) future car buyers in the UK say they are undecided about choosing an EV for their next vehicle. Among these, a third (33%) said they didn’t know whether insurance would cost more for an EV or petrol/diesel vehicle, and over a fifth (21%) didn’t know which would see more expensive overall running costs. 

EV experience tells another story 

However, when current EV drivers across the UK were asked the same questions, they were far more likely to say that driving electric costs less money than driving a petrol or diesel vehicle. Half (51%) of EV drivers in the UK public said that overall running costs were higher for a petrol or diesel vehicle. 

The Tracker also revealed that having a home charger further reinforces these positive opinions on financial savings. Among EV drivers on the Motability Scheme, over three quarters (77%) with a dedicated home charger said that a petrol/diesel vehicle costs more to run than an EV. Similarly, nearly 9 in 10 (88%) said fueling was more expensive for petrol or diesel vehicles. 

Andrew Miller, CEO at Motability Operations, said:It is vital that we do more to provide people with information on the benefits of driving electric. Without the right support, we risk leaving people behind - not because they can’t switch, but because they don’t know it’s a viable option. That’s why we offer our customers access to an EV Cost Calculator, to help them understand whether an EV could work for their needs and budget.” 

John S, EV driver on the Motability Scheme, said:I was sceptical of choosing an EV until I understood how it could benefit me. I don’t take many long journeys which, as a disabled person, makes charging on the go less of a concern. And once I looked into the running costs, I realised an EV would actually save me money due to my home charger and flexible energy rates. It costs me less to run an EV than my previous petrol car.” 

Notes to editors

About Motability Operations:  

We are Motability Operations. We run the Motability Scheme, which gives disabled people a lifeline, connecting them to life-changing independence and freedom. 

Through the Scheme, disabled people receiving a qualifying disability allowance can choose to exchange their allowance for a good value, accessible vehicle lease. 

We play an essential role in supporting disabled people with accessing work, healthcare, education and training, keeping them connected and improving their chances of getting a job and staying in the workforce.  

On average, Scheme users are able to work an additional two days per week and for every £1 of disabled people’s allowances spent on the Scheme, there is £1.50 of benefit for the UK's economy, including supporting 34,000 jobs across the UK. 

We negotiate with manufacturers and partners to provide users of the Scheme with affordability and choice. On average, the Scheme is cheaper than alternative options, and includes insurance, breakdown, tyres and servicing.  

Technical note

UK public survey 

Ipsos UK interviewed representative samples of online UK adults aged 18-75. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. Polling was conducted between 8th and 12th August 2025 and generated a sample of 2,243 individuals. 186 of which were from Scotland. 

Motability Scheme customer survey

Ipsos UK interviewed a sample of 1,495 Motability UK customers aged 18+. Fieldwork was conducted between 6th - 17th August 2025. The invitation sample was drawn to ensure the proportions in the sample matched those of the full Motability fleet breakdown in terms of vehicle fuel type, age group, region, urban/rural status, and lease type. 

Contact information

Press Office
pressoffice@mo.co.uk

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