Should I buy an EV or a small petrol car?
I'm 73 years old, driving for 55 years. I have been thinking about treating myself to a final new car before I decide to stop driving. I was thinking about buying my first EV (Dacia Spring) but have been told I shouldn't as they are dangerous. Even slight damage to the underside of the car (pothole or speed bump etc) could cause the car to be scrapped. There are many videos of EV fires destroying the owners home because the vehicle was parked on the drive.....the fire service took so long to arrive.
Also, house insurance will be much higher because of the risk of an EV fire.
I live in rural Wales, 12 miles to the nearest shop and no bus service, so I do need a car. For the last 4 or 5 years I've been driving just 1400 miles per year, the car will sit for perhaps 2 weeks without being used and even the it will only be a short round-trip of 20 miles to the GP. From time to time I might take a day trip of perhaps 200 miles in total but only 2 or 3 trips per year. Should I buy an EV or a very small petrol car?
Also, house insurance will be much higher because of the risk of an EV fire.
I live in rural Wales, 12 miles to the nearest shop and no bus service, so I do need a car. For the last 4 or 5 years I've been driving just 1400 miles per year, the car will sit for perhaps 2 weeks without being used and even the it will only be a short round-trip of 20 miles to the GP. From time to time I might take a day trip of perhaps 200 miles in total but only 2 or 3 trips per year. Should I buy an EV or a very small petrol car?
Asked on 27 March 2026 by Phantom
Answered by
Matt Robinson
The Spring isn't a car we recommend. It's based on a Renault Kwid, which is a 10-year-old car designed for emerging markets and that's clear when you drive the Spring and see its ride and handling issues, excessive noise and its poor safety rating. See our full review for more info.
There are plenty of other affordable small EVs, though. If you're happy to go second hand, you can get a little used Vauxhall Corsa E for less than a Spring, and it's a much better car to drive and live with. For your sort of mileage, an EV is ideal.
The increased fire risk of EVs is a myth. In fact, research shows that they're less likely to catch fire than a combustion-powered vehicle. And while the insurance for an EV itself will be slightly more than a comparable petrol car, it shouldn't make any difference to your home insurance. It's unlikely you'll even need to disclose your type of vehicle to your home insurer, as far as I'm aware.
There are plenty of other affordable small EVs, though. If you're happy to go second hand, you can get a little used Vauxhall Corsa E for less than a Spring, and it's a much better car to drive and live with. For your sort of mileage, an EV is ideal.
The increased fire risk of EVs is a myth. In fact, research shows that they're less likely to catch fire than a combustion-powered vehicle. And while the insurance for an EV itself will be slightly more than a comparable petrol car, it shouldn't make any difference to your home insurance. It's unlikely you'll even need to disclose your type of vehicle to your home insurer, as far as I'm aware.
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