Young drivers happy to pay £16k more for electric cars because they 'suit' them

Young drivers are forking out an eye-watering £16,000 extra to get behind the wheel of an rather than settling for a or diesel alternative, according to recent research. A study has shown that those under 25 are paying a hefty premium of £16,139 for the privilege of driving an EV as their first set of wheels.

A poll conducted by MoneySuperMarket in March revealed some striking preferences among – nearly half (47 per cent) of those surveyed aspire to own an electric car compared to less than a third (31 per cent) of all age groups.

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It's not just about aspirations either. 32% of young people said they would put off driving until they can lay their hands on an EV, and 38% staunchly refuse to consider a petrol or diesel vehicle for their inaugural ride due to environmental concerns, reports .

Evie O'Flaherty, a 17-year-old interviewed after the survey results came to light this weekend, explained: "They are obviously more expensive to buy, but I am happy to hold off until I can afford one rather than get on the road more quickly in a petrol car."

Her decision was also influenced by her longstanding commitment to sustainability, adding: "I've also been quite focused on sustainability and the environment from a young age, and I feel like an EV suits me much better for that reason."

Sara Newell, director of insurance at MoneySuperMarket, commented on the revelation: "The cost of getting an EV on the road is a topic of much debate."

She pointed out: "As our household money index shows, young drivers are keen to drive electric cars, but it's still much more expensive for a first-time driver to get on the road with an electric car compared to a petrol equivalent.

"But there's light at the end of the tunnel. More electric cars are becoming available, and insurance costs are starting to drop – in some cases, it's even cheaper to insure an electric car than a petrol one for young drivers, especially if you shop around for the best deals."