EV cost savings for private hire drivers explained

If you're a private hire driver, you're probably watching your weekly costs to make sure you’re earning more than you’re spending. With rising fuel prices, maintenance bills, and city charges, this can seriously eat into your earnings. That’s where electric vehicles (EVs) come in – not just as a greener option, but as a smarter financial move.

From lower running costs to reduced charging expenses and maintenance, switching to an electric car can help EV drivers earn more and spend less. Here's how.

• EVs have lower running costs
• EVs need less maintenance = more time to earn
• Uber EV Assistance: Claim up to £3,000 towards your EV
• Cheaper city charges & taxes for EVs

1. EVs have lower running costs

Let’s start with the most obvious win – charging an EV can be much cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel.

The cost of charging your EV depends on where you’re charging it. It can also make a difference how quickly you’re looking to charge it too – let’s break it down.

Cost of public charging:

If you rely on public charging, then you’re in a great position as there are plenty of options for you to help keep the cost of charging your EV low.

As we see more and more EVs enter the car market on UK roads, we can expect the public charging infrastructure to grow with it to meet demand. It was recently reported that the UK now has over 75,000 public charge points, which is 32% more than this time last year.

Here are the main things that affect how much you’ll spend public charging:

• Different charging networks charge different rates
  Not all public chargers cost the same. Some networks are more expensive than others, especially at rapid charging points.

  As a private hire driver, it helps to compare prices – using apps like Zap-map can help you find the cheapest charger nearby and avoid overpaying. From motorway service stations to shopping car parks, it’ll show you everything you need to know to make a decision quickly.

• Electricity prices can change
  The cost of electricity goes up and down depending on demand, just like you see with conventional cars. So it’s hard to give an average price of charging, but if you’re charging during peak times, like early evening, it can be more expensive.

  Charging overnight or early morning is often cheaper – and better if you want to avoid longer waiting times too.

• Charger speed makes a big difference
  Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers will get you back on the road faster, but they usually cost more than slow or fast chargers.

  As a private hire driver, time is money – so sometimes paying more for a quicker charge makes sense, especially during busy hours when you want to maximise earnings.

• How much you charge
  In fact, a quick top-up of 20–30% is often all you need to get back on the road and keep earning. It saves you time and helps you stay productive without waiting around at a charger.

  It’s easy to overestimate how much charge you need, but here’s a tip – most drivers rarely need a full charge unless you’re going on a long journey. The RAC actually recommends keeping your battery between 20% and 80% – not only is it more efficient, but it’s also better for your battery’s long-term health.

With more public charge points becoming available, you can drive with confidence knowing that you’re likely to always find one nearby. You can find your nearest public charging station with tools from bp pulse – helping you see availability, available amenities onsite and how to get there.

Want to save more as a PCO driver in London? With the Uber EV Assistance (ending on 30 September), you can claim £750 of free EV charging credits with bp pulse (that's around 3 months of free charging) – just visit one of our London hubs to get started. This Uber-backed incentive is a great way for electric car drivers to earn more and spend less when on the road.

Cost of home charging:

If you’ve got your own driveway or garage, installing a home charger could be a great money-saver.

More and more energy companies are offering cheaper rates and special deals for EV drivers who charge at home. The big benefit? You can plug in overnight when electricity is cheaper – this is called smart charging.

By charging during off-peak hours (usually at night), you could cut your EV charging costs by up to 20%, helping to keep your electricity bill low and manageable. Companies like Octopus Energy even have special night-time rates just for EV drivers, making home charging even more affordable.

We know not everyone can get a charger at home – especially in busy cities like London – but if it’s possible for you, it could be a great way to save money in the long run.

How Otto Car can help

We’ll guide you through choosing the right EV for your driving habits and budget. Whether you’re looking to own your car with our Rent to Buy plan or you’re looking for a flexible PCO Car Hire plan, there’s something for everyone.

And if you need help deciding, just pop into one of our Otto Car hubs – our expert team has you covered.

2. EVs need less maintenance = more time to earn

As a private hire driver, time off the road means money lost. EVs are built with fewer mechanical parts than petrol or diesel cars – no need for oil changes, no exhaust problems, and fewer things that can break down. That means less time off the road getting repairs and more time picking up passengers earning money.

Some parts of an EV still need regular care, like tyres and brakes – just like in petrol or diesel cars. These costs are usually about the same. EVs also have some unique parts, like the battery, that need looking after too.

How Otto Car can help

When you get a car through one of our all-inclusive Rent to Buy or PCO Car Hire plans, you're getting more than just a car – you're getting peace of mind. All servicing and breakdown cover is included in the price, so if something does go wrong, Otto Car is here to help.

We’ve got your back, so you can stay focused on driving and earning.

3. Uber EV Assistance: Claim up to £3,000 towards your EV

If you're an Uber partner in London, you might be eligible for up to £3,000 in Uber EV Assistance to put towards your weekly car payments. This Uber-led offer is available until 30 September 2025 and is here to support non-EV drivers as they make the switch to electric.

Not only will you save big on some of the best electric cars available, but you’ll also get up to £750 in bp pulse charging credits – it’s a great deal for any new EV owners or renters.

Find out how to claim your £3,000 Uber EV Assistance before it ends.

How Otto Car can help

Claiming your Uber EV Assistance with us is easy. All you need to do is choose which plan and car you’d like to choose before 31 March. Pop into one of our London hubs to claim your offer.

Buying an EV (Rent to Buy)

You can use your full EV Assistance to lower your weekly payments on our Rent to Buy plan* – making it easier and more affordable to own your own vehicle.

For some vehicles, you can even use your EV Assistance to cover the first 47 weeks of your plan, giving you much lower payments upfront. After that period, your weekly payments will go back to the regular amount for the rest of your contract.

*Please note, your EV Assistance can’t be used towards a downpayment.

Renting an EV (PCO Car Hire)

If you'd rather rent an EV, you can use your £75 per week in EV Assistance when you sign up for our minimum 8-week PCO Car Hire plan.

Once your EV Assistance ends, your weekly payments will continue at the standard rate for the rest of your hire period.

4. Cheaper city charges & taxes for EVs

Driving an EV means saving money on more than just charging – there are other charges you can avoid or reduce too.

If you’re working in London, electric vehicles are still exempt from the Congestion Charge and ULEZ fees until the end of 2025. That’s a £15+ daily saving just by going electric – a big win if your routes take you through central London.

And while road tax is coming in for EVs from 1 April 2025, the good news is it’ll still be cheaper than petrol or diesel cars.

How Otto Car can help

We always put our driver community first. When you choose one of our all-inclusive plans, you can drive with confidence knowing your weekly costs are clear and there won’t be any unexpected surprises.

Ready to drive into the future? Join Otto Car today

Explore our wide range of electric cars on Rent to Buy or PCO Car Hire plans, designed to fit your needs.

Already know the car you want? Visit one of our London hubs or call us on 020 8740 7444 – our friendly Otto Team is always here to help!

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