Switched on: Octopus and Autotrader survey reveals EV drivers are hooked – and fuel drivers' worries don't hold a charge
New Octopus and Autotrader survey shows a striking divide between fuel drivers' beliefs about going electric and EV drivers' reality
85% of EV drivers say they’re satisfied with their vehicle, raving about convenience, low running costs, and rapid charging
Comes as the UK races past its charger target, with 111k installed nationwide
London, 12th May 2026 – Electric vehicles (EVs) are cheaper, easier and far more enjoyable than many fuel drivers think – and those who’ve already made the switch aren’t looking back.
New research* from Octopus Electroverse, the largest public charging network across the UK and Europe, and Autotrader, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace, reveals a stark gap between perception and reality when it comes to going electric.
Across every aspect of ownership – from charging and reliability to running costs and performance – EV drivers report significantly higher satisfaction than fuel drivers anticipate, uncovering a massive gap in expectation versus experience.
This also comes as 88% of fuel drivers say they need more information before making the switch to electric, with a fifth stating the lack of knowledge is what is stopping them from buying an EV.
Costs are one of the most striking factors. Fuel drivers are nearly nine times more likely to think EVs cost more to maintain, and eight times more likely to assume day-to-day running costs are higher.
In reality, EV owners pocket an average of £860 a year by charging on a specialist tariff at home** – more than enough to swap penny-pinching at the pump for a few weekends away.
This comes as Autotrader data recently showed that new electric cars are now cheaper than petrol on average for the first time, including discounts and government grants.***
EV owners are also almost twice as likely to call their car more reliable than a petrol equivalent, and overall satisfaction among EV drivers sits at 85% – with nearly half (48%) describing themselves as extremely satisfied, against just 31% of fuel drivers who say the same.
Charging at home, expected to be a headache for more than half of fuel drivers, turns out to be one of EV owners' favourite things about the car, with 9 out of 10 (87%) of those able to charge at home describing it as easy and convenient.
On the road, two-thirds of drivers say public chargers are easy to find and quick to use, with the UK network recently skyrocketing past 111,000 charge points.****
This comes as an increasing number of petrol drivers are swapping the polluting pumps for cheap, clean charging due to surging fuel prices, with Octopus reporting its EV leasing sales jumping 89% in the month following the start of the conflict in the Middle East.
Matt Davies, Founder & Director of Octopus Electroverse, said: ”The biggest barrier to EV adoption today isn’t infrastructure or performance, it’s a lack of information. Many petrol and diesel drivers think EVs are complicated and expensive, but in reality thousands of EV owners say they’re reliable, cheaper to run, and a joy to drive.
“The driver conversations and data show that it’s getting behind the wheel that really counts: anyone who’s curious should jump in and experience the benefits first hand!’
Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Autotrader, said: “Electric vehicles are a once-in-a-generation technology shift which is exciting and intimidating all at once.
“We know EV drivers love their cars and the driving and ownership experiences they bring, but many who haven’t made the switch yet still have concerns. This new data shows a big perception versus reality problem and so we’re delighted to join Octopus Electroverse to shout about the EV glow and empower more drivers to electrify their driving.”
Octopus Electroverse is transforming the public charging experience, making it simpler, quicker, and more cost-effective for drivers to power up on the road. Expanding at lightning speed, now connecting over 1 million drivers with more than 1.4 million charge points across 50 countries.
The full Big Octopus Driver Survey report can be found at this link.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
Sources
*This report is based on independent research commissioned by Octopus Electroverse and Autotrader. The Octopus Electroverse study was conducted by STRAT7, an independent research and strategy consultancy, surveying 11,573 UK drivers in November 2025.
**Average saving for an EV driver charging on Intelligent Octopus Go traveling 7,600 miles a year
*** New electric cars now cheaper than petrol on average for the first time says Autotrader, April 2026
****Octopus Electroverse Infrastructure Insights Report, April 2026
Press Contacts
Octopus Energy Group
Christina Hofmann
press@octoenergy.com
+44 (0)20 4530 8369
About Electroverse
Launched in summer 2020, Octopus Electroverse is Octopus’ answer to the frequent complaint that Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers need many different apps and cards to use the many different brands of EV charging stations. Electroverse is making public charging simple by having just one card and one app, with zero added costs or ongoing fees, and support for the latest in-car technology.
EV drivers across the globe can now access over 1.4 million different charge points from over 1,600 different charging operator brands in 50 countries. Electroverse is open to anyone, and Octopus Energy customers have the option of linking their public EV charging with their home energy bill for the ultimate simplicity. Electroverse won ‘Best EV Innovation’ at Driving Electric Awards 2021, ‘Mobile Innovation of the Year’ at National Tech Awards 2024, and ‘Best Consumer Proposition’ at the Electric Vehicle Innovation and Excellence Awards 2024.
For more information on Electroverse, head to our website.
About Octopus Energy Group
Octopus Energy is a global clean energy and technology business, driving the affordable, green energy system of the future. Under its own retail brand, Octopus delivers world-class customer service and cutting-edge energy products to 11 million households globally.
The company is driving the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative clean tech, with operations spanning 27 countries and the entire energy value chain. It operates a £7 billion renewables portfolio as well as thriving EV leasing, heat pump, and solar businesses. Backed by pension funds, investors and energy giants, Octopus Energy Group businesses deliver cheaper, greener energy and cutting-edge tech to countries and customers worldwide.
In France, Octopus Energy ranks as the fifth-largest supplier in the country, with a portfolio of over 750,000 clients. The company is dedicated to driving the energy transition by delivering 100% renewable French electricity to domestic, commercial, and public sector clients."
For more information, check out our website.
About Autotrader
Autotrader Group plc is the UK’s largest automotive marketplace. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2015 and is a member of the FTSE 100 Index.
Autotrader’s purpose is Driving Change Together. Responsibly. Autotrader is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, it aims to build stronger partnerships with its customers and use its voice and influence to drive more environmentally friendly vehicle choices.
With the largest number of car buyers and the largest choice of trusted stock, Autotrader’s marketplace sits at the heart of the UK car buying process. That marketplace is built on an industry-leading technology and data platform, which is increasingly used across the automotive industry. Autotrader is continuing to bring more of the car buying journey online, creating an improved buying experience, whilst enabling all its retailer partners to sell vehicles online.
Autotrader publishes a monthly used car Retail Price Index which is based on pricing analysis of circa 800,000 unique vehicles. The same data that powers the Index is used by the Office for National Statistics to make the UK’s official measures of inflation more robust, as well as the Bank of England to feed the broader UK economic indicators.
For more information, please visit: plc.autotrader.co.uk