Nearly 40% of drivers would go electric to save money on fuel, as making the switch could save over £150 each month

​Nearly 40% of drivers would go electric to save money on fuel, as making the switch could save over £150 each month

• Nearly 40% of drivers are considering going electric to avoid soaring fuel costs
• SUV drivers could save £167 each month by making the switch
• News comes as requirement to have charge points in all new homes and buildings to be introduced next week

With the cost of filling a family diesel or petrol car hitting £100, more people are citing the cost of fuel as a reason to make the switch, electric car experts Electrifying.com can today (9 June) reveal. 

In a recent survey, almost 40% of people said they would consider going electric to save money on ever-increasing fuel costs, which have now crept to over £2 per litre at some forecourts across the country.

Despite rising energy prices and the heavier upfront cost, going electric will still make financial sense for many drivers. Research by Electrifying.com has found that drivers who do 10,000 miles each year and charge on a standard energy tariff could save £80 each month on fuel in a Volkswagen ID.3 compared to filling up a Volkswagen Golf. 

At the higher end of the market, those who choose the popular Tesla Model Y over a Mercedes GLC300 could save a staggering £167 each month in fuel costs. 

Founder and CEO of Electrifying.com Ginny Buckley said:

“With the price of fuel at an all-time high and rail strikes on the horizon, more and more people will be thinking about making the switch to electric. 

“Despite the hefty savings - particularly for those who can charge at home - we still need to ensure that the right incentives and infrastructure are in place for consumers to switch with confidence. 

“I’m pleased to see that new laws are being introduced next week to mandate the installation of charge points in new homes and commercial buildings, however it’s vital that both the government and industry keep pace with our rapid acceleration to electric driving if we are to bring everyone along on the journey.”

“It's unfair that those without a private driveway pay more to run their car. Home charging can cost as little as 2p a mile, but charging on the public network can cost many multiples of that, which is why I’m calling for the 20% VAT that is currently imposed on public chargers to be cut to 5%, and for energy providers to introduce cheaper night tariffs at public charge points to help balance the supply grid - without taking these steps, we risk leaving people behind and creating a two-tiered nation when it comes to electric car ownership.”

Choosing the most efficient car could also help drivers save hundreds of pounds every year. To help consumers make a smart choice, Electrifying.com has created the first efficiency rating for electric cars. 

The E-Rating, which is similar to energy labels on home appliances, uses a smart algorithm to give the car a simple to understand score from ‘A++’ down to ‘E’. Top of the efficiency charts is the Tesla Model 3 and the BMW i4 and you can see the full list here.

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Notes to editors

About Electrifying.com

As we head towards the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, Electrifying.com clears the air for consumers to make choosing, buying and owning an electric car easy.

Comprising a team of electric experts, the brand is led by Founder and CEO Ginny Buckley. With 25 years' experience in broadcasting, journalism and the automotive industry, Buckley is here to demystify the electric car and give trusted, independent advice to the mainstream car buyer, enabling them to make the switch with confidence.

She is joined by Nicki Shields, the face of Formula E, host of the CNN tech and electric racing show ‘Supercharged’; tech, gadget and car expert Tomi Adebayo (better known as @gadgetsboy) and Tom Ford, the former host of BBC Top Gear America, Fifth Gear and electric car advocate.”