Switching to an electric vehicle (EV) in London can feel like a big step. But for Lauren, a first-time EV driver based in Haringey, it has quickly become part of everyday life.
Her driving habits are typical of many Londoners. She uses her car for local trips, “to big Tesco or the garden centre, or visiting friends and family,” while relying on public transport during the week to commute into central London.
At weekends, the car comes into its own. Regular trips out of the city, including visits to her dad’s house in the Cotswolds where there is a home charger, make EV driving feel even more convenient.
Like many new EV drivers, her decision was a mix of practicality and sustainability. The business rates made it “an economical choice,” but she had also been considering the switch due to the environmental benefits of electric cars.
After hiring a similar model on holiday, she chose a Hyundai Kona Electric and, in her words, “just fell in love with it.”
A surprisingly easy transition to electric driving
For many people, the biggest concern about switching to an EV is how different it will feel.
For Lauren, the first week was exciting, but not as unfamiliar as expected.
Coming from a Nissan Micra with manual wind-down windows, Lauren's new EV felt like “quite a big adjustment.” What stood out most, though, was how smooth and quiet it was to drive.
In reality, she says, “it doesn’t actually feel that different to a normal petrol car, it’s just smoother and quieter.”
That familiarity made the transition to an electric car much less daunting than she had imagined.
What surprised me most about driving an EV
Some of the biggest surprises came from small, everyday moments.
One example was regenerative braking, where the car charges itself when slowing down or going downhill. At first, she “couldn’t believe” it.
Charging was another unexpected highlight.
Using a local char.gy on-street charge point in London, she found the process “so easy,” and it quickly became part of her routine.
Before switching, she had heard a lot about range anxiety. In reality, it has not been an issue.
The battery “lasts a long time,” and charging overnight means she can wake up ready to go. It is also, she says, “the cheapest option I’ve found.”
What I wish I knew sooner about EV charging
Looking back, there is one thing Lauren still finds confusing, and wishes had been clearer from the start.
Understanding how much charge is needed for a journey is not always straightforward.
She explains there is still “no real understanding about how much charging I need to do,” especially when everything is measured differently. Translating between kilowatt-hours (kWh) and petrol equivalents is not intuitive for new drivers.
It is an area where clearer guidance from manufacturers and the industry could make a big difference.
Another early misconception was around EV battery size and car size.
She assumed a bigger car would mean better range. In reality, that is not always the case. As she puts it, “smaller cars are available with big batteries” too.
Would I choose a different EV next time?
Lauren loves her car, but living in London has changed how she thinks about it.
If she were choosing again, she says she “might choose a smaller car,” simply because she does not need something so large for city driving.
It is a common realisation for urban EV drivers, where parking spaces and short journeys often make smaller vehicles more practical.
How EV charging becomes part of everyday life
One of the biggest changes has been how effortless charging feels compared to refuelling a petrol car. Having access to on-street EV charging near home has made a huge difference. It is “so easy,” and something she now builds into her routine without thinking. Typically, she charges once every couple of weeks, topping up before longer trips to around 80%. Most of the time, it is as simple as:
Parking near home
Plugging in overnight
Walking a couple of minutes back to the house
By morning, the car is ready to go. It is a completely different experience from petrol stations. She does not miss “the smell, the planning, all of it,” and prefers the simplicity of charging locally.
A different way of thinking about driving
Owning an EV has not just changed how Lauren drives. It has changed how she thinks about energy and refuelling. Instead of making a specific trip to fill up, charging happens in the background. There is no need to plan a stop at a petrol station, and no interruption to her day.
Advice for first-time EV drivers in London
For anyone considering switching to an electric car in London, her advice is simple: “Don’t overthink it.” There are “loads of charge points dotted around,” she says. You just do not notice them until you need them.
And as for range anxiety, it is largely overblown. You can travel further than you expect, and the number of public EV charge points in the UK is only increasing.
Final thought: EV driving becomes second nature
For Lauren, the biggest realisation has been how quickly something new becomes normal.
Charging overnight, waking up with a full battery, and no longer needing to visit a petrol station is not just convenient. It is a completely different, and better, way of driving.