British drivers should expect further price rises at the pumps, according to the most recent analysis by the RAC, as the conflict in the Middle East continues to send the cost of oil spiralling.
A perfect storm of infrastructure damage from air strikes and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil usually flows, has meant costs are being passed on to the consumer via inflated petrol and diesel prices.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams says that since the conflict began, average petrol prices have risen almost 12p (nine per cent) to 144.51p a litre. Diesel is up by twice that amount – 24p (17 per cent) to 166.24p.
“The cost of filling a typical family car with unleaded is £6.40 more now – £79.48 for a tank – than at the start of March, while for diesel it is a hefty £13, or £91.43 for a tank,” he adds.
While it is not guaranteed that the cost of charging an electric vehicle on the public network will not increase in future, those who can plug in their EVs at home are at least protected by the energy price caps that are in effect until July this year.
Even when the cost of electricity inevitably rises (sigh), it is still cheaper to charge an EV at home or work, particularly for those who opt for a dedicated EV tariff and charge during off-peak hours, where it can cost as little as 7p per kilowatt hour (kWh).
It may come as no surprise that recent analysis by Compare the Market has concluded that electric cars are £579 cheaper on average to “fuel” per year compared to petrol cars. With all things taken into account, the average annual cost of running an electric car came out as £1,264, compared to £1,843 for a petrol car.
This was based on the 6,700-mile average annual mileage of a UK motorist (there are fewer people commuting to work thanks to Covid), paying £1.62 a litre for petrol or 28p a kWh for electricity – which is much higher than those charging off-peak overnight.
With that in mind, it could be the perfect time to make the switch to electric. So we have hand-selected some of the cheapest EVs to buy, as well as those that offer excellent efficiency, which in turn leads to greater range and less need to plug in regularly
Renault 4 E-Tech
From £23,445
Building on the success of the retro-inspired Renault 5 E-Tech, the French marque’s reimagining of the 4 remains packed with throwback design touches, but with more practicality to make it more useful in everyday driving scenarios.
The boot offers a handy 420 litres of stowage space, while there’s enough room in the back to comfortably seat two adults or squeeze three children.
Prices start from £23,455 in the UK for the entry-level Evolution+ trim, but the one to plump for is the mid-level Techno+, which comes with an Android-powered 10.3-inch touchscreen with Google Maps as standard.
Despite the affordable price tag, owners can still expect around 247 miles of range from the 52kWh battery, peppy performance and the ability to charge at 100kW DC fast-charging stations, meaning road trips aren’t out of the question.
Dacia Spring
From £14,995
The Dacia Spring remains one of the most affordable EVs on sale and, if you’re willing to make a little compromise here and there, it offers excellent low-cost motoring with minimal servicing and maintenance requirements.
Granted, the official WLTP range is only 140 miles (expect less in cold conditions) and it can only charge at speeds of up to 30kW, but for those regularly topping up at home, it is arguably the pinnacle of low-cost daily driving.
The fuss-free interior might be bereft of niceties, but it is practical and hard-wearing, while rear seats easily fold flat should you need to occasionally carry over-sized cargo.
As you can imagine, it can be noisy at motorway speeds, and you’ll have to get used to taking it easy on the inside lane. But it’s perfectly possible to cover longer distances, so long as you don’t mind stopping every couple of hours for a 30-minute leg-stretch.
Peugeot e-5008
From: £46,060
While not as cheap to buy as others on this list, the large, stylish and practical Peugeot e-5008 offers a monster 410 miles’ travel in the 98kWh long-range variant, bags of boot space, and up to seven seats as standard.
It undercuts many of its closest electric seven-seat rivals (Kia, Hyundai and Volvo) but doesn’t hold back on the French flair, both inside and out, with a beautifully appointed cabin and handsome exterior looks, no matter the trim level.
What’s more, the ride is perfectly judged for long-distance comfort and battery efficiency is strong, giving owners the confidence that this sizeable people-mover can handle the family holiday, without numerous lengthy stops to charge.
MG4 EV
From: £26,995
The MG4 has proven hugely popular among buyers, thanks to its generous battery range, impressive performance and affordable price tag.
Now under Chinese ownership, the British badge benefits from the wider SAIC Group’s cutting-edge battery technology, which sees EV range of up to 338 miles on a single charge in certain models.
Thanks to fast-charging capabilities, topping up the batteries doesn’t take long, and acceleration is equally rapid in the slightly more expensive X-Power variants, meaning there’s an MG4 to suit most tastes and preferences.
Confusingly, there’s also a new MG4 Urban model, which offers slightly more interior roominess, an increase in boot space and a front-wheel-drive powertrain. While not as fun to drive as the standard rear-wheel-drive MG4, it is the cheaper option that’s arguably better suited to family life.
Fiat 500e
From: £20,995
This diminutive city car retains all of its colourful character, nippy acceleration and sharp handling without the need for oil changes and engine maintenance.
Those models with a larger 42kWh battery offer up to 199 miles on a single charge, while max charging speed is a respectable 85kW, allowing for a 10-80 per cent battery top-up in under 30 minutes, opening the door to longer journeys.
But most opt for a Fiat 500 thanks to its compact proportions, which makes it a doddle to both drive and park in busy urban environments, as well as its laid-back demeanour. The electric powertrain in the 500e arguably makes it simpler and easier to own than ever, and when used for short hops and city living, it makes for a fantastically stylish daily driver.
Kia PV5
From: £32,995
Kia’s decision to move into electrified commercial vehicles is a smart one, as there’s not a great deal of competition that manages to offer such a beguiling mix of EV range, practicality and affordability.
The PV5 rides on its own bespoke Platform Beyond Vehicle underpinnings, so it has been designed from the ground up and can be optioned in commercial or Passenger van guises, which introduces a large bench seat and airy windows in the rear, making it a fantastic option for larger families or those needing to transport bicycles, prams or oversized pets.
As you would expect, the rear of the PV5 is highly configurable, so seats can slide and fold to free up even more room. Yet this doesn’t drive like a clattery old van, offering smooth acceleration, precise steering and a ride that’s so plush and quiet, you’d be mistaken for thinking you were travelling inside a luxury limo.
Despite the load-lugging abilities, owners can still expect a range of around 260-miles on a single charge in Long Range models and the ability to top-up from 10-80 per cent in around 30 minutes from a 150kW DC fast charger.
Plus, Kia provides its infotainment smarts in the cabin, with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, as well as heated seats, steering wheels and other creature comforts.
