2035 ban – is it worth buying an electric car now?

While the plans don’t mean the end for the sale of used petrol and diesel cars, there’s never been a better time to weigh up whether to make the switch to electric sooner rather than later.

Here, we look at whether there’ll be enough chargers to meet demand, the costs of running an electric vehicle (EV) and much more to help you weigh up your options.

It’s difficult to know how many charging points are needed to deal with extra demand by 2035.

According to the DVLA, as of October 1st 2023, there are 49,220 public electric vehicle charging devices available across the UK - in over 30,000 locations. Of these, 8,908 had 50kW and above charging ability.

With so much cash assigned to boosting infrastructure, we’ll be seeing considerably more public charging devices long before the new 2035 ban is enforced.

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To ensure there are enough chargepoints available for all EV owners, efforts to install devices will need to be made by motorists and private companies too.

Plans to get the UK EV-ready are thankfully already well underway.

The Government has announced billions of pounds in funding - and this is aimed at improving infrsatructure, making charging cheaper, and accelerating the adoption of EVs from the public.

In September 2023, EV and renewable energy campaign group FairCharge, in partnership with the RAC, created the UK’s first charter for electric vehicle (EV) public charging with the aim of improving the reliability, transparency, accessibility, and usability of the UK’s rapidly growing charging network.

Also, in the latest Report on Motoring, it highlighted that after several years of increases, the number of drivers who plan to buy a battery-electric car next has plateaued in 2023: having risen from 2% in 2017 to 14% in 2022, the figure has slipped to 13% in 2023. 

Efforts will be needed from both government and industry leaders to reverse this.

Find out how the UK is getting ready for electric vehicles.

Although the majority of existing EV drivers are currently charging at home and the workplace, we know that conversion of traditional forecourts is a key part of supporting a shift from conventional fuel to electric.

Some of the big names in fuel have already started adding electric car chargers alongside their petrol and diesel pumps.

All major supermarkets are currently rolling out mass EV charging stations across the UK.

In order to create more public chargepoints, councils across the UK have started to install more unconventional devices:

• Lampost chargers – convert streetlights so they double up as chargers for EVs. The idea is particularly useful as local authorities try to avoid cluttering pavements. German company Ubitricity has already started converting lampposts in London boroughs.
• Induction pads – use wireless technology to charge EVs from under the vehicle. The city of Nottingham has won a £3.4 million government grant to trial wireless charging for its taxis.

According to the National Grid, 40% of people in England and Wales don’t have off-street parking. That could mean that large numbers of EV owners attempt to charge their cars with cables left lying across public footpaths.

If this is the case, drivers should use a raised plastic cable protector to minimise the risk of tripping pedestrians. 

Although the Local Government Authority says there is no legislation that would make placing a cable on the pavement illegal, it’s best to do what you can to avoid injuring others.

Although the running costs of owning an EV are much cheaper than those for a car with a conventional internal combustion engine, many would-be buyers are deterred from switching to electric because of the initial pay out. 

The upfront cost of an electric car is typically more expensive than a petrol or diesel equivalent. Here we take a look at some of the incentives available to help make an EV purchase cheaper.

Our RAC Electric Experts can answer any EV-related questions you have for free!

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The Workplace Charging Scheme is a voucher-based initiative designed to help businesses, charities and public sector organisations with the cost of buying and installing a chargepoint. 

Applicants can receive up to £350 of support without owning an electric vehicle.

Currently, there is no government-backed scrappage scheme to help with the costs of buying an electric car.

Ministers rejected calls for a new scheme to help with costs back in July this year, after manufacturers felt drastic action was needed to address record-low sales affected by the coronavirus crisis.

However, London residents who receive certain benefits can apply for a grant of up to £2,000 to scrap cars and motorcycles that don't meet the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) standards.

Some vehicle manufacturers also offer scrappage schemes to encourage motorists to pick up a cleaner new car. You should check current manufacturer schemes thoroughly to check if your car can be traded in to give you a discount on one of their electric models.

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Electric car owners do not pay 'car tax' (Vehicle Excise Duty). While they’re exempt from any fees, they must still process their vehicle with the DVLA's tax portal.

However, EV road tax will be arriving in April 2025.

New hybrid cars can be sold up until 2035.

Before you decide between a hybrid or pure-electric vehicle you should weigh up the pros and cons across key areas:

• Upfront cost – EVs are typically more expensive than their hybrid equivalents. Hybrid cars have also been more widely available than electric cars for some time now – which means you’re more likely to pick up an affordable second-hand deal on the dual-powered vehicles. 
• Running costs – If this is a priority you should choose an electric vehicle. With a cheap energy provider and free charging opportunities, EVs are more affordable than hybrids to run. Throw in the tax exemption on pure EVs and the savings become even more apparent.
• Range – Hybrid cars are a natural choice if you typically travel longer distances. However, with improvements to both charging infrastructure and the range on EVs, ‘range anxiety’ is becoming less of a concern.
• Environmental impact – Unlike hybrids, pure EVs produce no tailpipe emissions. According to the latest research from Transport & Environment, hybrid cars are more polluting than manufacturers claim. The campaigners point out that drivers rely on their combustion engine more than a rechargeable battery in real world use. EVs are the clear winner if you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly car. 
• Maintenance – With fewer moving parts, electric vehicles are generally much easier to maintain. However, if a serious problem arises it might be more difficult to find a garage to fix it, so expect to pay a premium if you’re unlucky.

Are you ready to take the plunge? Let us know what you think about EVs in the comments below.

Still not sure? Check out these EV myths getting busted:

The RAC is leading the way when it comes to supporting drivers in the switch to electric vehicles.

An ever-increasing number of our patrol vans have built-in emergency mobile charging systems capable of giving an out-of-charge electric car enough power to be driven a short distance home or to a working chargepoint, while our All-Wheels-Up recovery system allows our patrols to safely rescue electric cars with no need for a flatbed.

Find out more about the RAC’s electric car breakdown cover.

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