Drivers could save a collective £382m on staycation travel by switching to an EV
- Two thirds of Brits explore the country on ‘stay-cations’ this summer[1] - travelling an average of 256 miles
- 77% driving to their destination in petrol or diesel cars – spending over £462million in collective fuel costs
- With the same journey in an EV costing just £5.85[2] - drivers could save a combined £382million[3] if they made their journey in an EV
- Despite the savings on offer, nearly half of Brits wouldn’t consider an EV as an option
- Concerns over EVs include running out of charge and struggling to find charging points - despite three quarters of staycation travel distances able to be done on a single EV charge
- To tackle common EV myths, EDF has produced a range of bumper stickers for EV drivers to help encourage more drivers to make the switch
As international travel restrictions continue, millions of Brits are jumping in their cars for UK-based staycations this summer – spending a collective £462million on fuel.
With the nation preparing for Bank Holiday weekend getaways, research from EDF revealed 77% of holiday-makers will make their staycation journey in a petrol or diesel car – travelling an average of 256 miles to explore far-flung corners of the country.
With the same journey in an electric vehicle (EV) costing just £5.85, drivers could save a collective £382million if they made their journey in an EV.
As the UK officially enters recession, the staggering savings should be welcome news to motorists. However, the research revealed nearly half of holiday-makers admitted that they wouldn’t even consider taking their trip in an electric vehicle.
The biggest unfounded concerns putting people off travelling in an EV are worries over running out of charge (53 per cent) and not being able to find charging points (47 per cent) – despite three quarters (75 per cent) of staycation journeys being under 128 miles – well within the typical range of a modern EV (195 miles)[4].
EDF’s data has revealed huge gaps in the country’s collective knowledge about EVs, with myths and misconceptions rife amongst the population.
To help bust these myths, EDF has created a collection of eco-friendly bumper stickers designed to help EV owners answer some of the most frequently asked questions[5]. The collection is designed to inspire more people to make the switch to an EV, and help the nation hit its net zero target.
Phrases on the stickers include: ‘Charges so easily I do it in my sleep; My old car was exhausting; ATTENTION! Low emission vehicle’.
Philippe Commaret, Managing Director for Customers at EDF added: “As many look to enjoy UK-based road trips this Bank Holiday weekend, they could make significant savings by switching to an EV. However, our research shows myths and misconceptions about them are still rife – and in many cases, might be preventing people from enjoying the financial and environmental benefits of going electric.
“That’s why we’ve created this range of fun and eye-catching bumper stickers to help spark conversations amongst EV owners and other motorists, and break down the barriers to owning an EV, inspiring more motorists to consider making the switch and help Britain achieve net zero.”
To make the transition to electric vehicles hassle-free, EDF offers its competitive GoElectric tariff. This 100% renewable, single rate tariff is designed specifically for charging electric vehicles at home, and allows users to save up to £210 over the course of a year[6]. Users are also able to upgrade to a compatible smart meter in order to get the most out of off-peak charging, with 98 hours of reduced rate charging per week (9pm until 7am on weekdays and all day at weekends). EDF has also recently invested in EV charging point manufacturer, Pod Point, to provide fast, safe and Wi-Fi enabled home chargers that are compatible with all plug-in vehicle brands.
EDF is the largest producer of low carbon power in the UK and, as part of the EDF Group, is the largest generator of renewable electricity in Europe (as at 31 December 2018).
[1] Based on a representative sample of 2,000 UK consumers conducted by 72 Point August 2020. OnePoll surveyed 2000 respondents from 30th July 2020 and 3rd August 2020. The survey was conducted online via the OnePoll website, polling our panel members who are paid to participate in surveys. Respondents who are drivers were targeted using both personal profile data and screening questions in order to ensure the correct demographic was achieved. All claims around EVs are based purely on full, battery-powered electric vehicles (not including plug in hybrid [PHEV]vehicles)
[2] Based on EDF Go Electric Tariff off peak rate of 8p p/3.5kwh
[3] Calculations based on:
- 2/3 British households taking a Staycation this year = 17,664,000 households.
- 77% of 17,664,000 households travelling by petrol or diesel car = 13,601,280 households
- At an average cost of £34 per journey, that's a total cost of £462,443,520
- If all of those households decided to switch to an EV for the journey: 13,601,280 x £5.85 (journey cost in EV) = £79,567,488
- = collective saving of £382,876,032
- *Petrol / diesel cost of 13.1p (RAC figures): Petrol prices: Typical vehicle running costs - for a petrol engine car. Diesel prices: Typical vehicle running costs - for a petrol engine car
[4] Range of electric vehicles - average based on range of 94 EV models
[5] Consumer research of 967 UK EV Motorists conducted by ZapMap (16.12.19 – 03.01.20)
The top ten questions electric vehicle drivers get asked most frequently are :
- 1. How long does it take to charge?
- 2. Don’t you miss driving a petrol/diesel/hybrid car?
- 3. Can you only go to places that have a charging point nearby?
- 4. Do you have to charge it every day?
- 5. Is it expensive to charge?
- 6. What happens if you breakdown?
- 7. Can it go faster than 50mph?
- 8. Does the battery go down if you have the heating on?
- 9. Can you drive it in the rain?
- 10. Can you sell it second-hand?
[6] Electricity-only savings of £202.00 are based on 4,900kWh (2,900kWh residential usage plus 2,000kWh EV usage), or dual fuel saving of £211.00 with the same electricity usage and additional 12,000kWh of gas. Savings are based on the Direct Debit national average pricing of the GoElectric tariff versus EDF’s Standard (Variable) tariff.
For more information
EDF Media Team
24-hour press line: +44 (0)1452 652233
media@edfenergy.com
About EDF
EDF is helping Britain achieve Net Zero by leading the transition to a cleaner, low emission, electric future and tackling climate change. It is the UK’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity(1) and supplies millions of customers with electricity and gas.
It generates low carbon electricity from five nuclear power stations and more than thirty onshore wind farms and two offshore wind farms.
EDF is leading the UK's nuclear renaissance with the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C, and there are advanced plans for a replica at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will provide low carbon electricity to meet 14% of UK demand and power around 12 million homes.
EDF is one of the UK’s largest investors in renewables, with more than 1.5GW of renewable generation in operation and almost 14GW in planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage. We are constructing our largest offshore wind farm in Britain – the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe project in Scotland.
EDF is helping its customers, both in business and at home, take their first steps to sustainably powering their lives. Whether it is buying an electric car, generating and storing electricity, selling energy back to the grid or installing a heat pump. EDF is one of the largest suppliers to British business and a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping businesses become more energy independent. In addition, the company’s energy services business, Dalkia, is one of the largest technical service providers in the UK and Ireland.
EDF is part of EDF Group, the world’s biggest electricity generator. In the UK, the company employs around 14,000 people at locations across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
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