What are electric cars like to drive?

Electric cars are quieter, quicker, and simpler than most people expect.

There’s no engine roar and no gear changes – just a soft hum and the sound of your tyres on the road. It takes a drive or two to adjust to, but most people find they prefer it.

Instant torque

Electric cars (EVs) are quick. Properly quick.

A combustion engine builds its power gradually, working up through the gears. An electric motor skips all that. The full torque is available the moment you touch the accelerator.

You don’t need a performance model to feel it, either. Even a family SUV has enough shove to catch you off guard the first time you plant your foot.

A relaxing ride

With no clutch and no gears to think about, driving an EV is akin to driving an automatic – just without the engine noise filling in the quiet gaps.

Many drivers say this makes for a calmer experience, especially in stop-start traffic.

Your driving style still matters though.

Smooth, steady inputs and good use of regenerative braking (where the car recoups energy as you slow down) will get you closer to the advertised range than an aggressive right foot ever will.

Is an EV harder to drive?

If anything, most drivers find the opposite.

Fewer moving parts to think about, smoother power delivery, and a cabin quiet enough to hear your podcast without turning the volume all the way up.

There’s no real learning curve – just a slightly different feel behind the wheel.