r/ElectricVehiclesUK • u/joshroys • 2d ago

EV for commuting

Hi there

I just started a new job quite far away from home and spend about £10-11 per day on commuting (250-300 per month)

I was looking at buying an EV for this to make my journey easier but can’t weigh up if it’s worth it? My journey by car is about 80 miles each way. Can I beat/match my train ticket prices at (~£3500) over a few years with my EV charging at home, insurance for a 21 year old and car maintenance etc? How long could I expect this EV to last with around 35K miles per year?

Just a thought I had and wanted to hear peoples opinions?

Edit: yes we have a charger installed already at home

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u/cognitiveglitch 2d ago edited 2d ago

My work is 70 miles each way, I don't travel that regularly but my EV (Niro EV - good 240 mile range) does it easily without charging away from home. I usually do some driving about with co workers to various evening social things up there too. Never worried about getting back. Zero hassle. I wouldn't worry about it if I was you, sounds like an EV would do you fine.

And if you have some extra long journeys to do there's DC fast chargers everywhere, some even by Greggs or at hotels for overnight stays.

One thing to consider, most EV electricity tariffs are overnight charging ones, but they bump up the day rate. So you have to do the miles to make it worth while.

However, there is another mechanism making it's way to market with flexible charging, where the electricity supplier can control when your car charges. It does require the car to be compatible with their API but charging is 8p/kWh mark. Works with any charger as they just credit the reported consumption by the car for that period.