Are electric cars a good option for older drivers?

The popularity of electric cars is increasing. Is it time you made the switch? We weigh up the pros and cons – and look at some of the best models for older drivers.

Car-buying habits are changing in the UK. One in four people now choose an all-electric vehicle when buying new, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The forthcoming 2030 government ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars will accelerate the change.

All of which begs the question: if you’re thinking of a motoring upgrade, is it time to consider an electric vehicle (EV)?

To help you make an informed decision, we weigh the pros and cons of buying an electric car, as well as addressing some FAQs.

What makes an electric car a good option for older drivers?

For many people, the main appeal of an electric car is its environmental credentials. Driving a car with zero exhaust emissions means you are helping to maintain local air quality by not emitting particulates and nitrogen oxides or releasing CO2 into the atmosphere, which a petrol or diesel vehicle does.

There’s also the convenience factor. With a home charging point, you can keep your electric car’s battery topped up and start every trip with the EV equivalent of a full tank. You may also be able to opt into a cheap overnight electricity tariff with your energy supplier, offering potential savings compared to the cost of petrol or diesel at the pump.

And unless you regularly drive long distances, you’ll probably find the bulk of your trips to be comfortably within the range of a fully charged EV.

Then there’s the driving experience. Instant power delivery via automatic transmission makes life behind the wheel a breeze. Driving an EV is akin to driving an automatic, with no gear changes required. Many EVs are designed with urban driving in mind, so they’re easy to manoeuvre and light to handle. They also come loaded with technology, which means you’re likely to get cutting-edge safety equipment as part of the package.

Read our interview with Chris Southgate, who changed to an EV aged 70.

What are the cons of an electric car for older drivers?

Despite the benefits of electric cars, they do come with some downsides. Drivers who’ve spent a lifetime filling up petrol and diesel cars may find that they have to get used to the apparatus of charging cables and sockets at first.

On the subject of charging, the main challenge is the time it takes to charge an EV’s battery from empty: up to eight hours on a standard 7kW charger. This is fine if you charge at home but not helpful on a long run when you’re keen to keep moving.

Fortunately, an ultra-rapid public charger can top you up from 10 per cent to around 80 per cent in as little as 20 minutes. You can locate one of the UK’s 100,000 public charging points using Zapmap. You’ll pay more for a faster charge, but it can be worth the cost to maintain your momentum.

EVs take some adjustment in driving style because they use regenerative braking, which makes the car decelerate as soon as your foot comes off the accelerator pedal. This can make for a more relaxing experience, especially in traffic, but there’s no doubt that it feels unfamiliar at first.

Then there’s the real-world costs associated with buying an electric car. EVs tend to come at a higher price, which you may not recoup if your mileage is modest. For example, the Peugeot 208 Allure Electric is roughly £5,000 dearer than its petrol-powered equivalent.

Another consideration is that EVs can cost more to insure than petrol or diesel cars. Since they tend to be more expensive than petrol or diesel cars to buy new, you may find that your premium is a little higher on an EV.

From 2028, EV owners will pay a 3p per mile surcharge on their Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), which brings another cost into the equation. This government tax is designed to increase revenue lost to fuel duty, and works out about half as expensive as fuel duty.

It’s worth noting that if you buy a brand new EV registered from 1 April 2025, the first-year VED charge is reduced to £10, reverting to the standard £195 chargeable on all cars the next year. The 3p per mile surcharge will still apply.

Despite these extra costs, conventional wisdom is that running an electric car is cheaper than a petrol or diesel car in the long term. Not only do you stand to save on fuel costs, EVs also tend to be cheaper to maintain because they contain less moving parts and are less susceptible to certain costly forms of damage. If you have the money to commit up front, you stand a good chance of spending less overall.

Electric car pros and cons

To keep things simple, here’s a summary of the pros and cons of EVs for older drivers.

What to consider when buying an electric car

Whatever the arguments for or against an EV, buying a car is a personal decision that involves considering a variety of factors.

Most importantly, can your home accommodate a charging unit, which can cost around £1,000? As well as the installation cost – which may qualify for a £350 electric chargepoint grant from the government – there’s the practical aspect: a home charging point is much easier to fit and use if you have off-street parking, though solutions are available if you need to run charging cables across a pavement. You can use a regular wall socket, however it will take a long time to achieve a full charge.

You’ll also want to explore electricity tariffs and take advantage of any cheaper off-peak rate. You could save as much as £1,400 per year on running costs. And consider your usage. If it’s generally short journeys, an EV could fit the bill nicely. If you regularly undertake longer trips, you may find the hassle of using public charging points offputting.

Another consideration is whether to buy outright or through a monthly finance scheme. A brand new EV can be quite expensive, so depending on your circumstances you may find that a personal contract purchase is suitable for your circumstances. This is where you put down a deposit then pay a monthly fee, with an optional balloon payment at the end. Find out more about how car financing works here.

It’s always worth exploring the second-hand market for a used EV. Check the car’s battery health and make sure it comes with a good warranty. EV batteries degenerate over time, so you should aim for a remaining capacity of at least 80%. You can check this using the in-car diagnostics. Ask the seller to show you how to do this before you set off.

Best electric cars for older drivers

If you feel ready to explore your options, here are some recommendations for EVs for older motorists.

• Peugeot E-208: this little Peugeot offers a great drive, excellent 200-plus-mile range and bags of French flair
• Vauxhall Corsa Electric: the UK’s bestselling small car, the Corsa promises sensible motoring and a responsive drive
• Ford Puma Gen-E: with go-kart-like handling (in a good way), Europe’s top seller benefits from striking mini-SUV styling and an upright driving position
• Hyundai Kona Electric: a popular choice thanks to rock-solid engineering, space in abundance and a 319-mile range
• Volvo EX40: with an official range of 355 miles, the EX40 offers Scandinavian style, market-leading safety and bags of practicality

Is it worth buying an electric car?

There’s a great deal to recommend buying an electric car – especially if you don’t routinely travel large distances. That said, there are some downsides to buying one – and it pays to be mindful of them when considering your options.

As with all car purchases, the best advice is to consider your individual needs then make the decision that’s right for you.