Experts say it’s the “perfect time” for Scots motorists to buy a used EV – now 9 per cent cheaper than their petrol equivalent. New research by Novuna Vehicle Solutions, one of the UK’s largest fleet operators, said there has been a surge in supply of quality used electric cars meaning prices are falling further and faster than petrol vehicles.
And it comes as the Scottish Government has vowed to ramp up public EV charging points after meeting a target of 6000 chargers two years ahead of its 2026 deadline. Scotland has the second highest public charging provision in the UK per head of population after London.
Novuna said the rising number of new EVs on the road – fuelled by attractive incentives for fleet and salary sacrifice drivers – has seen a surge of used EVs on the market. That’s made them around 9 per cent cheaper than petrol car equivalents, with a 2021 Vauxhall Corsa-e, for example, costing £11,889 on Cinch’s website, compared to £13,449 for a petrol Corsa.
Four-year-old cars are 14 per cent cheaper. The firm said that along with Scotland’s improving charging network, that made this the “perfect time… to make the switch and enjoy both cheaper and cleaner driving”.
Theresa Lindsay, marketing chiefs at Novuna, said: “It’s time to bust some of the myths associated with EVs and ensure drivers don’t miss out. The reality is used EVs are often cheaper, and running costs significantly lower than petrol versions.
“And with a growing charging network, there’s never been a better time for second-hand car buyers in Scotland to go electric. It’s cheaper, cleaner, and hassle-free.”
Novuna pointed out charging at home costs around 3p per mile, compared to 18.34p per mile for petrol – and said with ranges of 150-200 miles, most daily commutes are covered by EVs. It also pointed to electric cars having fewer breakdowns and requiring less maintenance due to having 90 per cent fewer parts than petrol vehicles.
Eight in ten Scots now live within 20 minutes of a charge point with Holyrood governments investing some £65million in the nation’s charging network since 2011. SNP ministers aim to deliver 24,000 more charging points by 2030 after achieving the original target of 6000 earlier this year.
The target will be paid for mainly by private investment, with a five-fold increase in funding required in the next six years. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said on Monday: “Transport remains the largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions and EVs enable drivers to take climate action and cutting harmful emissions.
“We need to ensure that people from all parts of Scotland can benefit from this switch to EVs, so that no one and no part of the country is left behind.”
The Scottish Government’s new plan to further ramp up EV charging is now out for public consultation. Proposals include a requirement for local authorities to build capacity in their areas, as well urging operators to ensure that tariffs remain “fair, sustainable and enabling” for the 80,000 EVs in the country.
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