Electric Vehicle Charge Point Survey 

We’re not proposing to change any of the parking arrangements at the moment, so other cars will still be able to park as before, although we hope people will be considerate and allow EV drivers to charge. Any future change to parking restrictions would go through the normal consultation process.

• New EVs used to cost a lot more than petrol or diesel cars, but prices are coming down fast. By 2026, new EVs should cost about the same. (Source)
• Used EVs are already cheaper than used petrol cars. In fact, in 2024, more used EVs were sold than used petrol cars! (Source)
• Running costs are often lower too. EVs are generally cheaper to fuel (especially if you charge at home) and need less maintenance. (Source)

• Most new EVs can go about 290 miles on a full charge. That’s more than enough for two weeks of average driving in the UK. Some models can now do over 400 miles (Source; Source)
• Even used EVs can go 100–250 miles, depending on the model and battery.
• Think about how far you really drive each week. On average, people in England drive about 127 miles (Source).

• Similar to engines becoming less efficient over time, EV batteries do lose a little power over time, but it’s slow – about 2–3% per year (Source; Source).
• Old EV batteries can be reused or recycled, so they don’t go to waste. Industry around repurposing batteries is growing rapidly.

• There are different types of chargers, but here’s the simple version:
  • Home chargers are usually 7kW – perfect for overnight charging and waking up with a full charge.
  • Public chargers range from slow chargers, that you might find in on-street on in car parks, to ultra-fast chargers which you’ll see next to main roads or motorways. The faster the charger, the quicker your car charges.
• There are over 80,000 public chargers available nationwide, with more being installed every month (Source).
• Most EVs use Type 2 plugs for home and slow charging, and CCS plugs for faster charging at high power chargers.
• Charging cables lock in place while charging, so they’re secure.

• At the moment, making an EV does create more emissions than a petrol car, mostly because of the battery. New rules in the EU due in 2025 work to improve the situation with battery impacts (Source).
• But once you start driving, EVs quickly become much cleaner. Over their lifetime, they produce up to 77% less CO₂ (Source).
• After about 14,000 miles, an EV becomes better for the planet than a petrol car (Source).
• Tyre and brake wear is no higher than petrol or diesel vehicles (Source).

• EVs have fewer moving parts, so there’s less that can go wrong.
• They’re actually less likely to break down than petrol cars (Source; Source).
• Running out of charge is rare – and getting rarer (Source).
• If you do breakdown, there are now ways to lift EVs rather than tow them so that no damage is done (Source).

• EVs are less likely to catch fire than petrol cars.
• The chance of an EV battery fire is very low – about 0.0012% (Source).

• EVs are smooth, quiet, and quick to accelerate.
• Many have “one-pedal driving”, which many drivers report makes driving easier.
• The best way to understand it? Take one for a test drive! 

• Yes, more EVs mean more electricity use – but energy companies are ready.
• Many EVs and chargers can charge overnight when demand is low.
• Some can even send power back to the grid when needed, this is called vehicle-to-grid charging.

• EVs are heavier than older cars, but not enough to damage roads or car parks.
• Most road damage comes from buses and lorries, not cars (Source).