FROM PURCHASE TO PLUG-IN, THE TRUE COST OF RUNNING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

But even though EVs are rising in popularity, there are still a few reasons why consumers are reluctant to make the switch. One of the main deterrents, for example, is being unaware of the true running cost of electric cars. Buyers tend to be more familiar with the expenses involved in owning a petrol or diesel vehicle.

Here, we explain all you need to know about the cost of operating an EV:

Upfront costs

As things stand, electric cars are more expensive to buy upfront than their petrol and diesel counterparts. On average, the price tag of a brand-new EV sits at around £50,000. But if you're not on the hunt for luxury brands and happy to buy a used model you'll be able to secure an electric car for less than £15,000.

In a few years' time, however, it has been predicted that EVs will be cheaper to produce than fossil-fuel cars. With tighter emissions regulations in place and a decrease in battery-making costs, EVs are predicted to reach price parity by 2027.

Charging fees

Figuring out how much it costs to power up your EV can be tricky, as it depends on your car model and battery size. However, charging an EV is cheaper than refuelling one of its fossil-fuel siblings. For example, it will cost you around £130 to recharge a Vauxhall Corsa E to cover a total of 10,000 miles. Its petrol counterpart, a Corsa 1.2 SE, will need £1,200 in fuel to drive the same distance.

Charging your electric car in your own driveway...