Electric car insurance
Compare prices for electric and hybrid car insurance so you save money on your insurance, as well as your fuel
How much is electric car insurance?
We found that the average premium price for an electric car is £436.42.[1]
But the price you’ll pay will depend on your driving history, experience and what car you’re insuring. Our research shows that some electric cars are still significantly more expensive to insure than others.
For example, a fully comprehensive policy for a Volkswagen e-Up costs on average £226, but it's £664 for a BMW 330e.
You might want to add optional extras to your policy too, like cover for a rented battery, which will also push the price up.
*Average price paid for annual comprehensive car insurance policies in December 2020 for these six vehicles, based on a male policyholder aged between 35-45, with five years or more no claims bonus.
[1]Average price based on BMW 330e, Tesla Model 3, Vauxhall Corsa-e, Mini Electric, Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen e-Up.
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If you do need to claim, you'll have to pay your excess first, then we'll refund up to £250 after your claim's settled.
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Do all insurance companies offer electric car cover?
Most mainstream insurance companies do offer electric car insurance and some specialist car companies also offer policies for electric cars and eco vehicles.
There’s no need to stick to the same insurer each year for your electric car because shopping around could save you money.
You’ll see a list of providers who can cover your EV when you compare your car insurance with us.
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Benefits of owning an electric car
There are many benefits to owning an electric vehicle...
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No road tax
You won’t have to pay vehicle excise duty (road tax) on electric cars
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Free parking
Many local councils offer free parking for EVs, and charging points are usually close to the entrance of supermarkets and service stations
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No congestion charge
There’s no congestion charge for owners of electric vehicles in London
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Cheap to run
They cost around 2-3p per miles to run, which is considerably less than the average 16p per mile for petrol and diesel vehicles
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Better for the environment
Electric vehicles produce zero emissions, making them far better for the environment than conventional internal combustion engines
Things to consider when buying electric car cover
There are features of electric car insurance you’ll have to think carefully about.
Electric cars are charged using power cables, so you might want to check your insurer provides liability cover if yours causes an accident, for example, if someone trips over it. As well as covering the cables, adaptors and boxes for damage or theft.
With some brands, you can lease batteries instead of buying them outright to reduce the purchase cost of your electric car. If you decide to do this, make sure your insurer knows and is still happy to cover you - you don’t want to find out you’re liable only after the car’s written off in an accident.
Hybrid or electric?
Electric and hybrid cars have hit the mainstream, but which type is right for you?
Electric
Hybrid
Electric cars are powered completely by batteries, making them extremely cheap to run – around 2-3p per mile.
This means the only way to top up is to plug-in at charging stations or at home, making longer commutes less practical than hybrid or fuel cars.
Electric cars are exempt from tax and congestion charges, as they emit no emissions.
Insurance premiums for EVs are generally higher than hybrids, petrol and diesel-powered cars, due to being new and expensive technology.
Just like smartphones, the batteries that power electric cars only have a certain life span and can be extremely expensive to replace.
Key points
- Tax and congestion charge-free
- Zero emissions
- Cheap to run – just a couple of pence per mile
Unlike electric cars, hybrid cars combine conventional petrol or diesel engines with electric motors.
This makes them much more efficient and environmentally friendly than pure petrol or diesel vehicles, with around 15-30% of the emissions.
Some hybrid cars are ‘plug-in’ models, so they can be charged at home or at charging points, just like electric vehicles. But unlike EVs, some hybrid engines can charge the batteries as you drive.
You’ll still need to fill your car up with petrol or diesel, which makes running them more expensive than fully electric cars.
Hybrids that emit less than 75g/km of CO2 are exempt from congestion charges.
Key points
- Electric and fuel power gives greater flexibility and distance
- 10-30% emissions of petrol and diesel engines
- Some hybrids are congestion charge exempt
Can you get a government grant?
Some low-emission vehicles will be eligible for a grant from the government. These grants go towards the cost of buying a new vehicle.
The maximum grant is £2,500 for cars and is applied to the cost of the new vehicle at the dealership when you come to purchase. You don’t need to apply for it. Only cars that cost less than £35,000 new are eligible.
The amount you get towards the cost of your new vehicle depends on the category the vehicle is in.
You can view the full list of eligible vehicles on the government website.
| Category | Grant amount |
|---|---|
| Cars | 35% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of £2,500 |
| Motorbikes | 20% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of £1,500 |
| Mopeds | 20% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of £1,500 |
| Vans | 35% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of £3,000/£6,000, depending on size |
| Taxis | 20% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of £7,500 |
| Trucks | For the first 250 orders, the grant will pay for 20% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of £16,000. After the 250 order limit maximum grant of £8,000 |