Proper Remaps says keeping a paid-off diesel car can save up to £8,000 versus a new EV

Proper Remaps says drivers could save thousands by holding onto a paid-off diesel car instead of buying a new electric vehicle, with a five-year gap of about £7,900 in one comparison. The study puts depreciation at the center of the cost equation and says charging habits and annual mileage can swing the numbers further.

Why it matters: - Proper Remaps’ analysis suggests the cheapest choice for some drivers may be keeping a used car they already own, not moving into a new electric vehicle. - The study focuses on total ownership costs, including depreciation, fuel, charging, servicing, repairs and a future pay-per-mile EV tax. - The findings matter for drivers weighing higher upfront EV prices against lower running costs.

What happened: - Proper Remaps released new data comparing the cost of keeping a paid-off diesel car with buying a new EV over five years. - The headline comparison uses a paid-off 2018 Golf 2.0 TDI and a new Kia EV3. - Under the study’s assumptions, keeping the Golf costs around £7,900 less than buying the new EV over five years. - The comparison assumes 7,500 miles a year and mostly home charging for the EV.

The details: - Proper Remaps says the five-year cost of keeping the Golf is £20,200. - Proper Remaps says buying the new Kia EV costs £28,100 over the same period. - The study says the owner would lose £10,900 from the new EV’s value through depreciation. - The study says the owner would save about £3,000 on fuel, based on October 2026 fuel prices sourced from GOV.uk. - Proper Remaps says the saving rises to £9,700 when the driver uses public street chargers instead of home charging, still based on 7,500 miles per year. - Proper Remaps says the saving falls to about £6,500 when the EV is charged at home during off-peak periods. - Proper Remaps says the savings shrink as mileage rises and grow when home charging is replaced by public charging.

Between the lines: - Depreciation is the main pressure point in the comparison, and Proper Remaps argues it can outweigh fuel savings on a new EV. - The study is built around cost assumptions, so results will vary depending on a driver’s mileage, charging access and car condition. - The report does not factor in non-financial reasons for choosing an EV, including lower emissions. - The takeaway is narrower than a full car-buying verdict: a new EV may still make sense for higher-mileage drivers, people facing costly repairs or owners planning to replace a car soon.

What's next: - Proper Remaps is urging drivers to compare both options before replacing a vehicle. - The company says owners should look at used-car condition, annual mileage and charging access before deciding. - The study’s EV tax assumption points to another cost variable for drivers considering a switch after April 2028. - Anyone seeking more information can contact Proper Remaps through the details provided in the release.