Electric cars are already cheaper to own and run, says study

Petrol and diesel vehicles cost more over four years in UK and four other European nations

Electric cars are already cheaper to own and run than petrol or diesel alternatives in five European countries analysed in new research.

The study examined the purchase, fuel and tax costs of Europe's bestselling car, the VW golf, in its battery electric, hybrid, petrol and diesel versions. Over four years, the pure electric version was the cheapest in all places - UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and Norway - owing to a combination of lower taxes, fuel costs and subsidies on the purchase price.