BBC Radio 4 – Money Box (UK)
Money Box Live: Do Electric Cars Add Up?
BBC Radio 4 – Money Box (UK)
•February 18, 2026•28 min
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BBC Radio 4 – Money Box (UK)•Feb 18, 2026
Why It Matters
Understanding the full cost of electric cars is crucial as the UK accelerates toward a zero‑emission fleet, influencing buying decisions and policy support. The episode provides timely insight for drivers weighing the transition now, highlighting both economic incentives and practical considerations that will shape the next decade of motoring.
Key Takeaways
- •EVs now 25% of new car sales.
- •UK bans petrol/diesel cars by 2030, hybrids 2035.
- •EVs cost less to run, about 20% cheaper.
- •Home charger installation around £950, saves on electricity.
- •New road tax adds 3p per mile for EVs.
Pulse Analysis
The electric vehicle market is accelerating rapidly in the UK. Recent data shows that EVs now account for roughly a quarter of all new car registrations, a sharp rise from the early 2010s. Government policy reinforces this momentum, with a definitive ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars slated for 2030 and plug‑in hybrids allowed only until 2035. These measures are designed to push the automotive sector toward a fully electric fleet, creating both opportunities and challenges for consumers and manufacturers alike.
Cost remains a pivotal factor for prospective buyers. While the sticker price of an EV—averaging around £46,000—still carries a premium, a combination of tax reliefs, government grants (£1,500‑£3,750) and lower operating expenses narrows the gap. Running an electric car can be up to 20% cheaper than a comparable petrol model, thanks to reduced fuel costs and minimal servicing requirements. Home‑charging installations typically cost about £950, but the overnight electricity tariff of 7‑8p/kWh translates to roughly 2.5p per mile, far below the 14p per mile typical for petrol or diesel.
Infrastructure and taxation are evolving alongside adoption rates. Public charging networks are expanding, yet many drivers still rely on home chargers for convenience and cost efficiency. New road tax policies, effective from 2028, will levy a 3p‑per‑mile charge on EVs and 1.5p for plug‑in hybrids, ending the previous exemption from vehicle excise duty. These emerging fees aim to recoup lost fuel duty revenue while encouraging responsible mileage reporting. As the market matures, the interplay of incentives, charging solutions, and tax structures will shape the long‑term viability of electric mobility in the UK.
Episode Description
Buying a new car last year increasingly meant going electric. Around one in four new car buyers made that choice with almost half a million electric cars registered over the year, according to industry figures. That means there are more than 1.8 million fully electric cars driving around the UK, which is still only just over 5 per cent of cars on the road. But in the next few years, more motorists will start navigating the change because by 2030 the UK government is banning the sale of new petrol and diesel, with hybrids allowed until 2035. So how much do electric cars to buy and run, and how easy is it to travel long distances in them?
Joining Felicity Hannah are Stuart Masson from the website The Car Expert and Melanie Shufflebotham from Zap Map, which is an app and website showing where public charging points are.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Editor: Jess Quayle
Senior Editor: Sara Wadeson
(This episode was first broadcast on Wednesday the 21st of January 2026)
Show Notes
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