UK Mechanics Warn Drivers Are Being Sold an Overly Optimistic View of EV Ownership

• Nine in ten mechanics say the reality of electric vehicle ownership is not being accurately portrayed, whilst 87% would not recommend switching to an electric vehicle

As the UK pushes towards an electric future, a new nationwide survey of mechanics and garages has revealed widespread concerns that drivers are not being given a realistic picture of what owning an electric vehicle (EV) actually involves.

The research, conducted by ClickMechanic, the UK's leading vehicle repair platform, among 197 mechanics and garages across the UK, found that while some technicians would recommend switching to an EV today, the overwhelming majority remain cautious about the transition.

Just 12.7% of mechanics surveyed said they would currently advise drivers to switch to an electric vehicle, while 87.3% said they would not.

Among those who would recommend making the switch, lower running costs were the biggest reason (76%), followed by improving reliability (48%) and expanding charging infrastructure (32%). However, concerns about ownership remain widespread throughout the industry.

Repair costs and battery concerns dominate

When asked about their biggest concerns regarding EV ownership, battery life and replacement costs topped the list, cited by 59.4% of respondents.

Limited driving range (55.3%) and a lack of charging infrastructure (54.8%) followed closely behind, while 42.1% pointed to repair and maintenance complexity. A similar proportion (41.1%) highlighted high purchase costs, while concerns around a shortage of EV technicians (41.1%) and limited access to replacement parts (29.4%) also featured prominently.

Perhaps most strikingly, only 6.1% of mechanics said they had no concerns about drivers switching to electric vehicles.

The survey also suggests many technicians believe EV ownership may become more expensive over time. More than three-quarters (77.7%) of respondents believe electric vehicles will be either slightly or much more expensive to maintain long-term than petrol and diesel cars. Nearly six in ten (59.4%) believe they will be "much more expensive" to maintain.

Mechanics question public messaging around EVs

The research found strong scepticism about how EV ownership is currently being portrayed to consumers. More than two-thirds of mechanics (68%) believe drivers are being given an overly optimistic view of electric vehicle ownership. A further 26.4% said the picture is only "somewhat" accurate. Just 5.6% believe current messaging around EV ownership is mostly accurate.

Andrew Jervis, CEO of ClickMechanic, said:

"Electric vehicles undoubtedly have an important role to play in the future of motoring in the UK, but our survey suggests many mechanics feel the public conversation isn't always capturing the full ownership experience.

Drivers often hear about lower fuel costs and environmental benefits, but mechanics are also thinking about long-term repairability and how the supporting infrastructure will develop over time. As EV adoption grows, consumers will benefit from having a balanced understanding of both the advantages and the challenges."

Repairability remains a concern

The survey also found that many mechanics believe EVs are currently harder to repair than traditional vehicles.

Among respondents with experience repairing electric vehicles, 59.7% said EVs are either slightly harder or much harder to repair than petrol and diesel cars. By comparison, only 9.7% said they are easier to repair, while 30.6% believe the repair process is broadly similar. The findings suggest concerns extend beyond today's market as well.

More than four in five mechanics (81.7%) said they have either some concerns or significant concerns about the long-term repairability of newer electric vehicle brands entering the UK market, including manufacturers from China. Only 14.2% reported having no concerns.

Jervis added:

"As more manufacturers enter the UK market, drivers will naturally want reassurance that vehicles can be maintained and repaired for many years after purchase. Questions around parts availability, specialist expertise and long-term support will become increasingly important as the EV market matures."