Nearly half of electric vehicle owners have admitted breaking the speed limits because of the way the cars drive, a new survey has found.
Research carried out by road safety technology firm OOONO found that 23 per cent of all UK motorists viewed driving an electric car as being more difficult to keep within speed limits.
When petrol and diesel owners were excluded from the results, the figure rose to 47.5 per cent of electric car drivers, marking almost one in every two motorists behind the wheel of an EV.
The survey found many motorists believed the rapid rollout and near-silent driving experience of electric vehicles can make it easier to accidentally exceed the speed limit.
Drivers said the lack of engine noise, combined with the instant power available in many EVs, can make it harder to judge speed compared with traditional petrol and diesel vehicles.
The findings come as more drivers switch to electric vehicles ahead of the Government's planned move away from new petrol and diesel cars under the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate.
Despite modern vehicles being packed with technology designed to improve safety, OOONO said many cars still fail to come with speed cameras and road hazard warning systems as standard equipment.
Mike Skyte, from OOONO, said: "Most EVs can tell you where to charge. Very few can reliably tell you where the next speed camera or road hazard is. The instant acceleration and near-silent driving experience of EVs can make speed harder to judge for some motorists.
The report found more than a third of drivers have been breaking the speed limit due to quiet EVs
| PA"As EV adoption grows, technology that helps drivers stay aware of changing road conditions and speed enforcement can play an important role in improving safety and reducing fines."
The survey also uncovered widespread confusion about speeding laws among UK motorists. More than a third of drivers (35.6 per cent) incorrectly believed speed cameras must be clearly visible and signposted by law.
Meanwhile, 15.5 per cent revealed thinking they can avoid a speeding penalty simply by slowing down before reaching a speed camera.
In the UK, drivers caught speeding can be issued a £100 fine and slapped with three penalty points, but depending on the severity of the offence, this can increase to £1,000, six penalty points, a speed awareness course, a driving disqualification, or as much as a £2,500 fine if caught on the motorway.
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Drivers can be issued a £100 fine and slapped with three penalty points for speeding | PA
The device alerts drivers to speeding cameras without distractions | OOONO Almost 12 per cent of motorists also believed there was an official "10 per cent plus 2mph" rule which legally allows drivers to exceed the speed limit.
Experts explained how there is no legal allowance to drive above a posted speed limit, although some police forces may apply enforcement thresholds at their discretion.
Mr Skyte shared: "Speeding myths remain surprisingly common. Many drivers still believe there is a legal tolerance above the speed limit or that cameras have to be signposted, but neither is true.
"The safest approach is always to treat the posted speed limit as exactly that - the limit. Greater awareness and better information can help motorists avoid both penalties and potentially dangerous situations."