Electric Car Insurance
Take ‘charge’ and go to dedicated industry specialists who can help you find your own, individual electric car insurance.
Why choose Howden for Electric Car Insurance?
Howden is the new name for A-Plan. As a specialist motor insurance broker, we pride ourselves on doing the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. Thanks to the great relationships we have with our selected panel of standard and specialist insurers, our team make the process of comparing multiple electric car insurance policies, on your behalf, simple and easy. What’s not to like?
Here at Howden, we also recognise that each policy needs to be as individual as its owner and their electric car, and that’s why we provide a bespoke, personalised service, focused on getting to know you and finding out exactly what you want from your specialist insurance.
All in all, whether you need to make a claim, purchase a new electric car policy, or renew an existing one, just know that we’re here to help.
Benefits of working with us:
- You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
- We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
- Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
- Speak with your local branch, within your community.
- We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.
Do electric cars need insurance?
Yes, in the UK, electric cars like any other motor vehicles, need insurance coverage to legally operate publicly. The requirement for car insurance is generally not dependent on the type of vehicle's power source (gasoline, electric, hybrid, etc.), but rather on the fact that it’s a motor vehicle being used on public roads.
Whether fully electric or hybrid, the car insurance policies we offer are tailored to fit your vehicle and driving experience. We can cater for various types of electric cars, including but not limited to, Porsche Taycans, Teslas, Audi e-trons and Aston Martins.
Many of the insurers we work with also provide cover for:
- Charging accessories: including cables, wall boxes and adaptors
- Breakdown assistance which includes taking you to the nearest charge point (or your home charge point, whichever is nearer)
- Multiple vehicles
- Electric car batteries
- Charger liability cover (for example, if someone trips on your charging cable)
What's the difference between electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars?
Fully electric: As the name suggests, EVs are powered entirely by electricity, which is stored in their battery. This means they produce zero emissions. With no traditional engine or gears, they provide a clean, smooth ride.
Hybrid: Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery, allowing them to run on both fuel and electricity. This makes hybrids lower in emissions than conventional cars but not as eco-friendly as fully electric cars. The main difference from EVs is their ability to 'self-charge', meaning the engine charges the battery while you drive.
Plug-in hybrid: Much like HEVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) charge your car while you drive. The key difference however, is that you can also plug them in to get that extra top up overnight.
Speak to a member of the Howden team today and find out more about how we can help you find a tailored, comprehensive electric car insurance policy that works best for you and your vehicle.
You can also read:
Electric Car Insurance FAQs
How much does it cost to insure an electric car?
All vehicles are different, and it's the individual features of each vehicle which will impact how much it'll cost to insure it. This is no different for electric cars. The cost of an insurance premium for a electric can change depending on:
- Its age
- Its features and modifications
- Its make and model
Besides the car itself, insurers take several other things into account when calculating insurance premiums too, such as:
- Your driving and claims history
- Where you live and regularly drive
- Your annual mileage
- Where your high performance car will be parked
As well as that, all cars, electric or not, are categorised into different car insurance groups. These range from 1 to 50, and help insurers decide how much to charge for premiums. Not sure what insurance group your high-performance car belongs to? Find out with our Car Insurance Group Checker tool.
Is there more road tax on electric cars?
Electric cars are currently exempt from road tax, as well as from the surcharge that applies to new cars costing more than £40,000. However, this is set to change in April 2025.
What happens if I’m leasing my battery?
Certain electric car manufacturers, such as Nissan and Renault, allow you to lease the battery separately when purchasing an EV. This reduces the initial cost of the electric car, but you'll need to pay a monthly lease fee.
If you own the battery, your car's market value includes both the car and the battery's worth. Inform your insurer if you're leasing the battery to ensure pay-outs go to the right place in the event of a claim.
How much does it cost to charge an EV?
Most EV drivers use a charging point at home to charge their vehicle overnight. In this case, costs depend on local electricity rates and the charge point type. It can also depend on the battery size of the car.
Some public charging stations are free, while others may require payment based on the provider and charger type. Rapid charging points are typically more expensive than fast charging points.
How long does it take to charge an EV?
The time it takes a car to charge depends on the size and type of the car battery and charge point. However, an ultra-rapid 150kW charger could completely charge a 60kW EV in under 30 minutes.
To maintain a healthy battery life, its recommended to refrain from using rapid chargers too often and aim to keep your car battery at around 20%-80% charge.
How long do EV car batteries last?
Most electric car batteries are covered by a warranty ranging from 5 to 8 years. Some manufacturers estimate that their EV batteries will last between 10 to 20 years before requiring replacement.
What's the difference between an electric and hybrid car?
Electric cars are fully powered by electricity stored in batteries and produce zero emissions. Hybrid cars combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery, allowing them to run on both fuel and electricity. This makes hybrids lower in emissions than conventional cars but not as eco-friendly as fully electric cars.
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