Buying an electric SUV in the UK
An SUV is often the car people look at when a family needs more room.
Choosing an electric one brings a few rules of its own.
These notes cover the UK rules and running points that apply to an electric SUV, from range to vehicle tax to towing. They are written for a buyer, new or used, in October 2026.
Range depends on more than the battery
The Energy Saving Trust lists the things that change how far an electric car goes on a charge. They include battery size, the car's energy use, the temperature and the type of road. The weight of the car and its load matters too, as do the heating and the condition of the tyres.
The trust says most battery electric cars manage around 220 miles in real-world driving. Some go over 300 miles on a charge.
A long test drive with a full battery shows you what a particular car really does.
The Electric Car Grant
Some new electric cars come with a government grant. You do not apply for it. The seller takes it off the price for you.
In October 2026, GOV.UK lists two bands. Band 1 cars carry a discount of up to £3,750, and band 2 cars up to £1,500.
To qualify, a car needs a range of at least 100 miles. Its battery also needs a warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. GOV.UK keeps the list of eligible models.
Vehicle tax and the list price
A zero emission car pays £10 for its first year of vehicle tax, at the rates GOV.UK shows today. After that it pays the standard rate, like a petrol or diesel car.
An electric car with a list price over £50,000 pays an extra £440 a year. This applies for five years, starting from the second time the car is taxed.
The list price is the published price before any discounts. GOV.UK suggests checking it with the dealer, so you know what the tax will be.
A mileage charge from April 2028
From 1 April 2028, the government plans a new charge for electric cars called Electric Vehicle Excise Duty. It is set at 3 pence a mile for fully electric cars and 1.5 pence a mile for plug-in hybrids.
Drivers will give a mileage reading and an estimate for the year ahead when they renew their vehicle tax. The DVLA will run it.
Towing with an SUV
Some people want an SUV to tow a caravan or a trailer. Most cars have a maximum towing weight, usually listed in the handbook.
The gross train weight may be on the plate with the vehicle identification number, often under the bonnet or inside the driver's door. That is the weight of the loaded car and loaded trailer together, and it must not be exceeded. GOV.UK says that if the plate shows no train weight, the car should not be used for towing.
Your licence matters as well. Drivers who passed their test from 1 January 1997 can tow a trailer of up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass.
Buying a used electric SUV
The Energy Saving Trust says batteries usually lose roughly 10% of their range after five years. Many makers give battery warranties, some of up to eight years.
The logbook does not show the details that matter for an electric car. The trust suggests asking about battery size, the top charging speed and whether the battery is leased.
You can check a car's MOT history on GOV.UK, including the mileage at each test. You can also check whether it has an open safety recall.