Are EV Fleets the New Diesel? Why Businesses Are Clocking Up Big Miles in Electric Cars
Electric vehicles are really now proving their worth as serious workhorses. According to new figures from the RAC Foundation, the average electric car under three years old now travels 10,054 miles per year in the UK, a mileage that puts it on par with diesel models, long regarded as the go-to choice for fleet and high-mileage drivers.
It’s a landmark moment for the EV market and one that marks a broader shift in how UK businesses and drivers view electric mobility. For years, diesel vehicles held the crown as the long-distance champions, offering superior fuel economy and long range. But now, electric cars are stepping confidently into that role.
EVs Are Catching (and Matching) Diesel on Mileage
Just a few years ago, electric vehicles were often dismissed as impractical for longer journeys or professional use. But the RAC Foundation’s data — drawn from three-year-old cars undergoing their first MOT — shows how quickly perceptions are changing. While diesel cars still average slightly more miles at 10,728 per year, EVs are not far behind, and they’re well ahead of petrol cars, which average just 7,585 miles.
Importantly, these figures suggest that EVs are being driven with similar intensity to traditional work vehicles — a shift likely driven by business adoption, lower running costs, and evolving infrastructure.
Steven Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, summed it up:
“Now it seems that fully electric cars are starting to take over where the diesel left off, providing a practical alternative in terms of range and cost per mile, and because of the attractive tax breaks they come with.”
Businesses Are Leading the EV Charge
While private buyers are warming to EVs, it’s the fleet sector that continues to lead the charge. From courier companies and sales reps to local authorities and emergency services, organisations are discovering that EVs can deliver the range, reliability, and savings needed for high-mileage use.
Fleet operators benefit from reduced fuel costs, lower servicing needs (EVs have fewer moving parts than internal combustion cars), and the predictability of charging costs, especially when paired with smart charging at depots or employee homes.
But there’s more to it than running costs. The appeal of EVs to businesses is also being driven by taxation and government incentives.
The Role of EV Salary Sacrifice in Driving High Mileage
One of the biggest catalysts behind the rise of electric company cars is the salary sacrifice scheme — a tax-efficient way for employees to lease a new electric vehicle through their employer.
Under these schemes, an employee gives up part of their gross salary in exchange for the use of an EV. Because Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) tax on EVs is currently set at just 2%, the savings can be substantial compared to petrol or diesel equivalents.
For example:
- A higher-rate taxpayer can save thousands over a three-year lease.
- Employers also benefit from National Insurance savings.
- Insurance, servicing, and maintenance are usually included.
Crucially, many EV salary sacrifice users are replacing a second petrol or diesel car, and are now using the EV as their main or only vehicle. That explains why these cars rack up serious mileage because they’re not sitting idle on a driveway, they’re doing the school run, commuting, and business travel all in one.
Schemes like Octopus EV, The Electric Car Scheme, and Tusker have made EV leasing accessible to a broader workforce, including employees at SMEs, the public sector, and charities. For organisations looking to green their fleet without big upfront investments, salary sacrifice is proving to be a game-changer.
EVs Now Account for 1 in 20 Miles Driven in the UK
Despite only 3.8% of UK cars being electric, EVs now make up more than 5% of all miles driven — proof that these vehicles aren’t just sitting pretty in showrooms. They’re out on the road, doing the mileage that used to be the preserve of diesels.
And the trend is only accelerating. With the government reintroducing a new £3,750 Electric Car Grant (available on EVs under £37,000), and the looming 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, the incentives to switch are stacking up.
EVs Are Working Harder Than Ever
The data is clear: electric cars are no longer niche tech or green tokens, they are hard-working, cost-effective vehicles used daily by businesses and drivers alike. The fact they’re now matching diesels on average mileage tells us something important: range anxiety is fading, infrastructure is growing, and the business case for EVs has never been stronger.
For employers, switching to EVs (especially through salary sacrifi) is no longer a gesture of sustainability. It’s a smart, financially sound move. And for drivers, the age of electric high-mileage travel has already arrived.
John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.
With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.
John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.
