Peugeot analysis busts myth that EVs good for short trips only

Drivers of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles travel further in their cars over the space of a week than those in petrol or diesel cars.

The research by Peugeot  found that electric and plug-in hybrid owners cover on average 109 miles in their cars per week, compared to just 88 miles per week for petrol and diesel owners

Busting the myth that plug-in vehicles are good for short trips only, research by Peugeot  found that electric and plug-in hybrid owners cover on average 109 miles in their cars per week, compared to just 88 miles per week for petrol and diesel owners.

Drivers of plug-in hybrid electric cars were found to make up the most miles in a week, covering on average 127 miles, while petrol vehicles travelled the least distance in a week, with an average mileage of 81 miles.

Fully electric vehicle owners were found to cover 91 miles per week, just shy of the 94 miles covered by diesel owners.

The study – carried out among 1,800 UK drivers, with a proportionate mix of electric, hybrid, petrol and diesel car owners – also found that less than a fifth (18%) of petrol and diesel drivers say they drive more than 200 miles on average in a week. This means drivers would be travel their weekly mileage comfortably on a single charge of many of today’s EVs, such as the Peugeot e-208, which has a WLTP range of up to 217 miles, or with the new Peugeot e-2008, capable of 206 miles.

Despite this, range anxiety is still a major concern for internal combustion engine (ICE) drivers thinking of making the switch to fully electric cars. Over a third (36%) of ICE drivers say the range of electric vehicles is the biggest factor stopping them from making the switch, whilst electric vehicle cost (53%) and a lack of public charging infrastructure (43%) were other leading concerns.

Julie David, managing director of Peugeot UK, said: “Fully electric cars cover more miles per week than petrol vehicles, and with the upcoming expansion to London’s ULEZ, driving an electric vehicle may become a practical option for even more drivers. It is also important to highlight that more drivers use their EVs to get to work and back, showing their real-world capability. Our latest models offer more than 200 miles of range, which is well within the weekly limits for the majority of users.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.