Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer just a second car for short trips – they are fast becoming the high-mileage workhorses of Britain’s roads.

New analysis by the RAC Foundation shows that for every 20 miles driven by cars in the UK, one is now zero-emission, highlighting the accelerating shift toward greener motoring.

On a charge

The foundation’s latest report reveals that, by the end of 2024, zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) – almost exclusively pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs), with a few hydrogen-powered models – comprised 3.8% of the national car fleet.

Yet, they were responsible for 5.3% of all car mileage.

When including electric-only mileage from plug-in hybrids, the real figure is likely higher.

The findings contribute to the RAC Foundation’s Green Fleet Index, which tracks progress toward meeting the UK government’s carbon targets without requiring a reduction in overall car travel.

The goal is to achieve at least 37% of all car miles as zero-emission by 2030.

Changing equations

Perhaps the most striking revelation from the analysis is how electric vehicles have closed the gap with diesel cars — traditionally the go-to for high mileage.

In 2024, BEVs less than three years old covered an average of 10,054 miles annually, compared with 10,728 miles for equivalent diesel vehicles.

This marks a giant leap from just a decade ago, when the average new BEV covered less than half the mileage of a new diesel car (only 49% in 2015).

Today, that figure has surged to 94%, indicating that electric cars are now matching diesel cars in terms of range and usage — especially among fleet operators.

“This is a significant milestone,” said Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation. “The world where many saw the electric vehicle as being a second-car option, handy only for short trips, is changing rapidly. BEVs are being bought as primary vehicles, often by fleet buyers, and used for long distances.”

Fleet transition

Much of this progress is being driven by fleets and business users, who benefit from generous tax incentives on electric company cars.

BEVs registered to fleets now make up a growing proportion of new electric vehicle sales, which helps explain their high mileage.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) under three years old were also heavily used in 2024, clocking up an average of 9,367 miles, while petrol cars covered only 7,585 miles.

The average annual mileage for all cars under three years old was 8,460 miles, with BEVs significantly exceeding the mean.

The RAC Foundation based its findings on data from over 1.2 million MOT tests, mostly on cars approaching their third birthday — when testing becomes mandatory for nearly all vehicles — with a small percentage from taxis and emergency vehicles tested earlier.

Current fashion

There are now more than 1.1 million electric cars on UK roads, according to the latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT).

Sales of BEVs continue to rise, accounting for 16.5% of new car registrations in 2024.

However, the rate of growth has slowed compared to previous years, due to the cost-of-living crisis and concerns about charging infrastructure.

Still, the RAC Foundation’s findings suggest that the EVs already on the road are punching above their weight in terms of mileage and carbon reduction impact.

With the government’s reintroduction of an electric car grant worth up to £3,750 for new zero-emission vehicles priced under £37,000, EV ownership is set to receive an extra boost from private buyers.

Steve Gooding welcomed the announcement, noting that “more mileage by electric cars is exactly what we need to cut emissions — and making these cars more accessible is essential to keep this momentum going.”

The Road Ahead

As electric vehicles become increasingly mainstream, their expanding mileage footprint will play a vital role in helping the UK meet its Net Zero targets.

The RAC Foundation’s research paints a hopeful picture: not only are more people choosing electric, but they’re driving them further, proving their reliability and cost-effectiveness in real-world conditions.

With this, owners provide a view of ownership and encourage even more motorists to embrace the changing landscape. 

With policy support, charging improvements, and continued technological advancement, the electric car revolution appears to be moving out of the slow lane and onto the fast.