What electric car drivers wish they knew before leasing an EV

We’ve delved deep into the internet to find out what current electric car drivers wish they’d known before getting their EV

Want to hear a secret?

EV drivers have been holding out on you.

Sure, it’s not intentional. But there are some things about driving electric cars that just don’t make it into the brochures.

But we’ve done the legwork for you (thank us later, when your new electric car lease is sitting pretty on your driveway) and dived into the depths of the internet to find out what EV drivers wish they’d known before making the switch.

Whether you’re considering your first EV lease, or just curious about what all the buzz is about, this is your insider’s guide to electric motoring.

“I wish I’d gone electric sooner”

The most common view shared by EV drivers? They wish they hadn’t waited so long.

Several people have said that it’s not as awkward to drive an electric car as some would have you believe. While someone else wrote that while there’s a lot of misinformation out there, they wish they’d done their own research and got an EV sooner, saving ‘loads more money’.

This sentiment rings true across the board – more than one driver delayed making the switch due to concerns that turned out to be unfounded.

So, let’s bust some myths together, and get to the heart of what people wish they’d known before about electric car leasing.

Home charging: Wake up to a ‘full tank’ every morning

One of the biggest revelations for many new EV drivers is the convenience of home charging.

As one electric car driver wrote, ‘if you can charge at home then, apart from long journeys, you’ll never need to charge again. Every morning the car will be sitting there, full of fuel and ready to go’.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about knowing that you can wake up each morning with a full battery. Much like plugging your phone in overnight and knowing it’s not going to die on you during the day – it’s the same feeling.

Gone are the days of needing to do a last-minute detour to the petrol station because you forgot to fill up the day before.

Just plug in when you get home, and your car takes care of the rest while you sleep.

The unexpected joy of a quiet cabin

Many drivers are surprised by how much they love the silence.

Though some thought they would miss the low grumble of a combustion engine, whether it was a modest diesel or something more superb. But the reality is, they don’t.

For one, the engine noise before was an ‘absolute drone’, while for another, not only is the quiet cabin much nicer, but they ‘love the quiet whirr you get instead’.

The peaceful driving experience is more pleasant, but it’s not just that – less noise in the cabin can make your commute less stressful and more enjoyable.

Those podcast episodes you’ve been meaning to catch up on? You’ll hear every word, crystal clear.

Running costs: Your wallet will thank you

The financial benefits of switching to electric driving go beyond just the tax incentives.

As one driver wrote: ‘How cheap it is versus fossil fuels. Overnight charging at home, and it’s costing about £5 when the petrol cost about £60’.

Others shared how much on average they were saving by using electricity – rather than dinosaurs – to power their cars, and the savings truly stacked up for some, with one person saving over £100 each month.

With electricity costs often lower than petrol or diesel (especially if you can take advantage of off-peak charging rates), the savings can be substantial over the course of your lease.

Dispelling the range anxiety myth

‘Range anxiety’ – the fear of running out of charge – is often cited as a major concern for those looking to make the switch.

But existing electric car drivers paint a different picture.

Some noted that actually, range anxiety isn’t an issue as long as you plan ahead, and others said that actually it’s the charging speed of your car that’s a higher priority than battery capacity for long journeys.

Which is an interesting way to put it.

While it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, and think the more range the better, it’s worth actually totting up how far you drive on an average day.

For most day-to-day driving, the average range of an EV (estimated to be around 300 miles) will be more than enough.

And for those occasional longer journeys, a car that can charge quickly at public chargers is often more practical than one with a slightly larger battery, but slower charging capabilities.

Winter range: Plan for the seasons

One practical consideration that you will have to bear in mind is the loss of range in the winter months.

This reduction happens because batteries are less efficient in colder weather, and heating the cabin so you don’t turn into an icicle with hands uses additional energy.

The advice that current EV drivers give?

Choose a car that has a bit of range above the longest journey you’d want to be able to do without stopping, and give yourself a bit of a buffer no matter what is happening outside the cabin.

Heat pumps can make a significant difference here.

In fact, more than one EV driver said that they’d look for a car with a heat pump next time.

Heat pumps are way more efficient than traditional electric heaters, helping to preserve your range in colder months.

Public charging: Know your networks

If you do need to charge away from home, or you don’t have the space for an at-home charger, then having the right apps and cards can make all the difference.

Many drivers recommend Electroverse, Gridserve, and Tesla apps to make charging a breeze, while others advice that you get an RFID card so you don’t have to use an app, and you can just tap your card on the charger instead.

Many electric cars now come with their own charging cards or apps that simplify the process further, so it’s always worth doing a little digging when it comes to leasing an electric car.

Ultimately, the longer you drive your car, the more used to the public charging network you’ll become.

Before long, charging your car will become second nature, and you’ll know all about the differences between different charging companies.

You’ll probably have your favourite, too – and curse anyone who uses ‘your charger’.

More relaxing to drive

An unexpected benefit many new EV drivers discover is how much more relaxing they are to drive.

While this likely applies to most automatic cars, for some, their first EV is their first automatic. As one driver wrote, ‘I used to accelerate hard to get through the gears so I could chill, but now I just potter along’.

The simplicity of driving an EV – no gear changes, no clutch, just smooth acceleration and regenerative braking – makes for a less demanding driving experience, particularly in stop-start traffic.

Driving style matters

One fascinating insight from experienced EV drivers is how much your driving style affects your range.

If you’re moving over from a petrol or diesel car to an electric, you might not have considered how sensitive the displayed range is on your dashboard to your driving style.

The number shown doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be able to drive that far.

How close you get to the WLTP Comb range actually has a lot to do with you driving your EV like an EV.

This means limiting your aggressive acceleration and braking, making the most of the regenerative braking, and letting the car do its thing without huge amounts of input.

The steadier you drive, the further you’ll get.

Choosing the right EV for your lifestyle

The key takeaway from experienced EV drivers is to choose a car that suits your specific needs.

It’s worth putting the time in to research a car that will actually suit you and your lifestyle. If your longest journey is under 50 miles, you have a driveway, and plan to install an at-home charger, then there’s pretty much no EV off limits to you.

Simply plug in overnight, and you’ll be good to go with even the shortest of ranges.

Before you make a decision on which electric car lease deal to go for, consider your typical journeys, whether you have – or will have – home charging facilities, and how often you make longer trips.

For many drivers, a more affordable EV with a moderate range will be perfectly adequate – and could save you money both on your monthly lease payments and your running costs.

The future is electric – and it’s more accessible than ever

The overwhelming consensus from EV drivers is that making the switch is easier and more rewarding than some people might expect.

One happy driver wrote that, ‘almost all my concerns were based on misinformation’, and that actually driving their EV was ‘absolutely brilliant’.

Another summed it up perfectly: ‘It’s so much easier to drive an EV than the naysayers would have had you believe’.

With electric vehicle leasing, you can enjoy all the benefits of driving electric without the commitment of ownership. It’s the perfect way to try out the EV lifestyle, with manageable monthly payments and the flexibility to upgrade to newer models as the tech evolves.

At Carparison, we’re committed to helping make your transition to electric driving as smooth as possible. Our friendly team is here to help you find the best electric car lease deal to suit your lifestyle and your budget.

With our expertise and attentive service, we’ll have you in the driving seat of your perfect EV in no time.