Peugeot study finds EV drivers travel further than petrol and diesel owners

EV and plug-in hybrid vehicle drivers travel further over a week than those driving petrol or diesel cars, according to new research by Peugeot.

In a study of 1,800 UK drivers, with a proportionate mix of electric, hybrid, petrol and diesel car owners, 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 research comes ahead of the expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which will see only fully electric vehicles being exempt from paying Congestion Charges from October 25th.

Less than a fifth (18%) of petrol and diesel drivers told Peugeot they drive more than 200 miles on average in a week, meaning most drivers would be able to make their weekly miles comfortably on a single charge of the manufacturer’s e-208, which has a WLTP range of up to 217 miles.

Despite electric vehicle owners travelling further than petrol drivers, and covering nearly the same distance as diesel motorists, the research showed that range anxiety is still a major concern for internal combustion engine drivers thinking of making the switch to fully electric cars. Over one-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: “Our latest research busts the myth that electric vehicles are only good for shorter trips. 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.”