We’re OAPs and EV mad – they’re better to drive and range anxiety is so overblown… electric is the way to go
AN OAP couple who own an EV have urged other over-50s to get on board with the electrification revolution, claiming they are actually more likely to benefit.
Richard and Rose Lancaster, from North Somerset, bought their MG 5 in 2022 and haven’t looked back since, saying it has been “absolutely fine”.
The couple sat down with The Sun Online to explain why they made the choice to switch to an electric car and how they have fared since as older drivers.
Richard, 70, who volunteers for Greenpeace, said: “What drew us to it was wanting to do our bit for the environment.
“We just wanted to be as close as possible to our previous car, which was an estate…we don’t need an SUV so we just went for one we could afford.”
Rose, 69, added that they had considered a hybrid before opting to go all-electric, saying: “The range of a hybrid is minimal on the electric motor.
“Anything more than running about town and you’re back on petrol power again.”
And she addressed range anxiety around EVs, where drivers worry about running out of charge in the middle of the road.
She explained: “The range on electric cars is improving.
“We did a round trip from where we are to Heathrow with two passengers and their luggage on one charge.
“People worry they’ll get stranded, but it’d have to be a pretty big journey.”
Overall, the couple feel that the future of motoring is only going in one direction, and that’s electric.
Other than the environmental benefit, the pair said they were attracted by lower running costs, especially as they were able to install a home charger.
They did admit that the initial purchase price can be higher for an EV, with their MG costing around £32,000 which is around £10,000 more than the price listed for the top-range petrol model on MG’s website.
However, they received £2,000 from the Government as part of a now-finished grant scheme to encourage electric car ownership and say that they make up for the price disparity with lower maintenance and charging costs.
Indeed, Richard said he was “baffled” that more drivers over 50 don’t opt for EVs as they are more likely to be able to afford the initial purchase to access the benefits later on.
Data from CarWow found that 67% of drivers over 55 are put off by higher purchase prices, while more than half are concerned about range.
But Richard argued: “It’s easier to drive, it’s automatic but smoother than any petrol automatic.
“Over-50s should be looking at [EVs].
“If you’re concerned about the environment, it’s the way to go.
“I always had manual cars but…saying you want a manual because it means you’re ‘in control’ is like saying you don’t want a TV remote because you like getting up to press the button on the set.
“Technology moves on.”
Based on their experience, they would highly recommend snapping up an EV to any of their friends, especially what you might call drivers of greater experience.