While electric vehicle (EV) ownership should save the majority of motorists money, this TikToker found that not to be the case and switched back to a petrol-guzzling personal favourite
A TikToker has caused controversy with the decision to switch back to a petrol motor after only three months of electric vehicle (EV) ownership.
They said their choice was driven by a series of unexpected downsides overshadowing the initial enthusiasm at being part of the electric revolution.
Reflecting on their experience, the owner, who goes by the handle @moresabrinaescapes, shared: “It’s time to say goodbye to my electric car after three months. It was a good run, I did actually quite enjoy it, but for unforeseen circumstances I’m getting rid of it. It was a really nice car, sunroof, and it was really comfortable.” It comes after news anyone buying fuel next week given ‘£15 charge’ warning by The AA.
READ MORE: Top Gear host admits he ‘never got along’ with Jeremy Clarkson as he makes bold statementREAD MORE: Beachgoers left stunned after rare sea creature spotted off British coast
The comfort and features included made the EV a pleasure to drive, so it’s not like the appeal was lost on the owner. However, beneath the surface lurked some serious setbacks in their eyes.
TikToker Sabrina said: “So why did I get rid of the electric car? Well, the main reason was because I was having problems getting the charging port installed at home.”
Rather than being blessed with the forecasted financial savings, for this motorist the charging costs became surprisingly high, ultimately tipping the balance. So the initial excitement of EV ownership couldn’t overcome the inconvenient charging conditions and mounting costs, which Sabrina described as “painful”.
The installation challenge made daily use of the car more complicated and inconvenient than she had banked on. Compounding this issue was the running cost. As they described: “It was costing about £25 or £30 to get a full charge on the car, and I was only getting about 100 miles, which was pretty painful to be honest.”
Want big news with big heart? Get the top headlines sent straight to your inbox with our Daily Newsletter
For this owner, the predictability and ease of petrol, with its accessible refuelling network and familiar routines, proved to align with more conveniently with their daily life. In a subsequent video, Sabrina explained: “I got rid of my electric car, come and see what new car I bought.
“I know I’m going to get a lot of hate for this, but this has been my dream car since I was little. And I’m so pleased — I can’t believe I’ve done it in my twenties. It is a Range Rover Evoque.”
So, in this case at least, the dream of electric mobility faltered not because of the car’s quality, but because of the real-world infrastructure and costs incorporated with EV ownership.
Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.