Rises in fuel prices mean an electric vehicle (EV) can travel more than four times further than an equivalent petrol car for the same cost, research has revealed.
Home charge point manufacturer Anderson EV conducted a test comparing the distance covered by a Renault 5 E-Tech electric and a petrol-powered Citroën C3 using £5 of electricity and fuel.
The Renault 5 completed an entire journey from Lincoln to Exeter, while the Citroën ran out of petrol after just 47 miles.
It comes as the average price of petrol has now reached 160p per litre, its highest level since November 2022, after increasing by more than 9p during July, according to the RAC.
For the challenge, the Renault 5 was charged overnight at home with £5 of electricity on a smart energy tariff. The same £5 purchased 2.48 litres of petrol for the Citroën C3.
The petrol car initially displayed an estimated 40 miles of range. To conserve fuel, air conditioning and non-essential features were switched off, and the car was driven conservatively. The Citroën ultimately had to pull into a lay-by after travelling exactly 47 miles.
The Renault 5 began the challenge with a range of approximately 215 miles, with air conditioning throughout the journey, and the car’s eco mode and regenerative braking deployed for efficiency. It completed the full 200-mile route on the original £5 charge.
David Martell, CEO of Andersen EV, said:
“There is still a perception that running an electric car can be more expensive than driving a petrol equivalent, but this challenge shows the difference that charging at home on the right tariff can make.
“For drivers who can charge at home and take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity, going electric can replace anxiety about rising petrol prices with lower and more predictable everyday running costs.”
Image courtesy of Andersen EV
