More than half of young drivers say they would choose an electric car as their first vehicle, according to new research, suggesting attitudes towards petrol and diesel are changing rapidly.
The research found that 55% of drivers aged 17 to 20 want their first car to be electric. Almost a quarter said owning a petrol car feels as outdated as having a landline phone, while 21% said they could never see themselves driving one.
Those figures are striking, but they need some context. The appeal of an EV is not simply about younger motorists rejecting petrol. Lower running costs, home charging and the growing choice of affordable electric cars are increasingly influencing buying decisions.
And the market is moving. More than one in four new cars sold in the UK was electric in July 2026, with EV registrations up 45% year-on-year, according to the Government. More than two million electric vehicles are now registered on UK roads.
So, are EVs really becoming the sensible choice for ordinary motorists?
Why younger drivers are looking at electric cars
The biggest attraction may be financial rather than environmental.
According to the research, around one in five young drivers identified lower day-to-day running costs as a key reason for choosing an EV. Nearly the same proportion highlighted the ability to charge at home, while 18% valued avoiding regular trips to petrol stations.
For drivers who can charge on a driveway, the difference can be significant.
Electricity tariffs designed around overnight charging can make home charging considerably cheaper than relying on public rapid chargers. E.ON Next, for example, currently advertises an overnight rate of 6.9p per kWh on its Drive Smart tariff, although eligibility requirements and pricing apply.
However, motorists should be wary of headline saving figures. The amount an EV actually costs to run depends on annual mileage, the vehicle's efficiency, electricity tariff and where it is charged.
Public charging can also be substantially more expensive than charging at home.
The £890 saving needs some scrutiny
The research claims that drivers could save up to £890 in their first year by charging an EV at home on an EV-friendly tariff.
That is possible under particular assumptions, but it should not be interpreted as a guaranteed saving for every new driver.
E.ON's own current calculations, for example, assume an EV travelling 8,000 miles a year and achieving 3.33 miles per kWh. Its published comparison shows a saving of £462 against its stated standard variable electricity rate when charging at 6.9p per kWh.
That illustrates an important point for buyers: the tariff matters almost as much as the car.
Before choosing an EV, drivers should work out:
- Their annual mileage.
- Whether they can charge at home.
- Their likely electricity tariff.
- How often they will need public charging.
- The insurance premium compared with an equivalent petrol car.
- The purchase or finance cost.
- Vehicle tax and servicing costs.
An EV that is cheap to charge but significantly more expensive to buy or insure may not automatically be cheaper overall.
The Government is still pushing the market towards EVs
There is also a wider reason why electric cars are becoming easier to find.
The UK's Zero Emission Vehicle mandate requires manufacturers to ensure a growing proportion of their new-car registrations are zero emission. The target rises from 28% in 2025 to 33% in 2026, 52% in 2028 and 80% in 2030.
The Government remains committed to ending the sale of new cars powered solely by petrol or diesel in 2030, with all new cars and vans required to be zero emission by 2035.
But that does not mean existing petrol and diesel cars disappear in 2030.
Drivers will still be able to buy and sell used petrol and diesel cars, subject to normal regulations and local restrictions. This distinction matters particularly to younger motorists buying their first car, because a second-hand petrol car will remain an option for years to come.
There is also some uncertainty around how the transition will develop. The Government launched a review of the ZEV mandate in August 2026, with a consultation running until 23 October.
That means motorists should be cautious about treating today's targets as a guarantee of exactly how the market will look in a decade.
EV ownership is no longer just for new-car buyers
One of the most important changes is the growth of the used EV market.
For motorists who cannot afford a new electric car, depreciation can make older models considerably more accessible. Battery condition, remaining warranty, real-world range and charging capability should all be checked carefully when buying used.
A used EV buyer should particularly investigate:
- Battery warranty: check how long remains and what mileage limit applies.
- Battery health: ask for evidence of its condition where available.
- Real-world range: don't rely solely on the official WLTP figure.
- Charging speed: older EVs may charge much more slowly than newer models.
- Home charging: establish whether installation is practical before buying.
- Insurance: obtain a quote before committing to the car.
There is also Government support for some new EVs. Eligible electric cars costing £37,000 or less can currently qualify for an Electric Car Grant of up to £3,750, depending on the vehicle's banding and sustainability criteria.
Don't forget that EVs now have vehicle tax
One outdated assumption is that electric cars are permanently exempt from vehicle tax.
They are not.
Since April 2025, electric cars have been subject to Vehicle Excise Duty. For the 2026/27 tax year, an EV registered from 1 April 2025 pays £10 for its first year, followed by the standard £200 annual rate. Electric cars registered between April 2017 and March 2025 pay the £200 standard rate.
Higher-priced EVs can also be affected by the expensive car supplement.
That does not necessarily make an EV poor value, but it demonstrates why buyers should compare the complete cost of ownership rather than focusing solely on fuel savings.
So, should your next car be electric?
For some motorists, the answer is increasingly yes.
An EV makes particular sense for drivers who can charge at home, cover predictable daily distances and keep the car for several years. The expanding choice of models and growth of the used market also mean electric motoring is becoming accessible to a wider range of buyers.
But the idea that petrol cars are simply obsolete is premature.
For drivers without home charging, people who regularly undertake long journeys or buyers working to a tight budget, a petrol, diesel or hybrid car can still make practical and financial sense.
The important change is that drivers now have a much wider choice.
The Government can set targets, manufacturers can increase EV production and energy companies can offer cheaper charging tariffs. Ultimately, though, motorists will decide what succeeds in the real world. If electric cars continue to offer competitive purchase prices, dependable charging and genuinely lower ownership costs, the switch will increasingly happen because drivers want it, rather than because they are being told to make it.