Driving is about far more than reaching your destination – it’s the feel of the journey, the sense of adventure, the opportunity to enjoy life on the open road.
For many motorists, the ‘feel’ is one of the defining differences between driving an electric vehicle (EV) and a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) model.
But how exactly do they differ and what should you expect?
Perhaps the finest analogy is when out on a body of water. Imagine yourself aboard an electric boat, gliding silently and effortlessly across a calm lake. The experience is serene and controlled, movement effortless and every push responsive and powerful. Now, picture yourself in a heavy wooden rowboat, paddling against the current. It’s noisy, every stroke feels like hard work, and you’re locked in a battle with the waves.
This is the essence of EV and ICE motoring. One feels like an effortless glide; the other a constant struggle. But there’s far more to the different experiences on offer.
What do we mean by ‘feel’?
When we talk about the ‘feel’ of a car, we’re referring to the intangible qualities that shape how a vehicle engages with its driver. It’s the way the steering responds to your touch, how smoothly power is delivered when you press the accelerator, and the level of comfort or strain you sense over long journeys. Unlike measurable data points such as range or fuel economy, the ‘feel’ is about emotion as much as mechanics. It blends the sounds, vibrations, and feedback you receive through the wheel and pedals into an experience that’s deeply personal – and often hard to articulate.
This is why two cars with similar performance figures on paper can feel completely different on the road. An EV may be quicker to accelerate, but what sets it apart is how instantly and effortlessly it responds, almost as if anticipating your next move. A petrol car, by contrast, involves you in the process – the rise in revs, the gear change, the audible growl. Both deliver motion, but the sensations they create are distinct. The ‘feel’ then, is less about numbers and more about how naturally and enjoyably a car translates mechanical power into human experience.
The smooth and silent glide of EV driving
At its core, an electric vehicle is built on a principle of simplicity. Push down on the accelerator and away you go. Instant power delivered to the wheels, no gear changes, no lag, no network of moving components that wear and decay. Like a powered boat effortlessly cutting through calm water, an EV delivers a smooth glide with minimal resistance.
With an ICE, meanwhile, building speed is like paddling harder. Engines need to rev, gears need to be engaged, and momentum demands effort. And then there’s the environmental factors to contend with. Wind, rain, uneven surfaces, etc. impact every motorist, but the reversion to the mean level of performance once these challenges have been conquered is significantly harder for an ICE model.
Calm on the road
While an EV may feel as smooth as a boat on calm waters, it adds another dimension that appeals to many: silence. It’s only once you get behind the wheel of an electric model that you realise just how much background noise you’ve been experiencing in an ICE car. A complete absence of engine noise means journeys are quieter, conversations clearer, and focus can turn to the world outside the vehicle. Petrol and diesel-powered models, in particular, are notoriously clunky and creaky as they navigate the roads. Some may call this character, others are less generous.
Precision and control
If you have even a passing interest in the world of EVs, you will doubtless have come across references to one-pedal driving and regenerative braking. For those new to the sector and seeking to pit electric cars against petrol/diesel models, these measures are intriguing concepts.
Easy, effortless, and innovative, one-pedal driving turns a simple idea into a reality. Much like in a regular ICE vehicle, pressing the accelerator causes the EV to accelerate; however, releasing this same pedal essentially reverses the electric motor, gracefully slowing the car and utilising a process known as regenerative braking. Moreover, kinetic energy recovered through regenerative braking is returned to the battery as an electrical charge, helping top up the battery and extending the overall range.
But what does this all mean for the ‘feel’ of the car? Well, many motorists find that such a system offers greater levels of control. Some, meanwhile, have even suggested the technology lends an EV a go-kart style driving quality… and what could be more fun than that?
Making weight count
In many electric versus ICE car comparisons, the overall weight of an EV is often considered a drawback. After all, a heavier car will reduce acceleration and range, won’t it?
Not quite. Yes, a high-voltage EV battery ranges from 300 to 800kg, thereby increasing the overall weight of the vehicle compared to a petrol or diesel edition. But how much impact does this really have on performance? An EV provides instant torque, meaning the utmost in responsiveness, while heavy battery traction packs on the base of the vehicle help lower the centre of gravity and distribute weight across a larger area more evenly. The result is improved balance and handling, as well as better traction and increased stability at higher speeds.
Rating the experience
When it comes to deciding whether the driving experience of an EV or an ICE car is better is purely subjective. There’s so much character to be found in a traditional combustion engine model that, for many of us, moving away from what’s known to the mysteries of electric motoring might seem daunting. And that’s ok. Personal preference is key to making the right decision on your next vehicle.
For those that value calm, peaceful, smooth motoring with a sense of effortless ease, the EV experience is unmatched. But, much like giving up the traditional rowing boat for a powered vessel, the real appeal only becomes clear once it’s been experienced. So why not book a test drive to experience an electric vehicle for yourself? At Big Motoring World, we offer one of the best selections of used EV cars waiting to be discovered.
About the Author
Stuart Porro is Head of Content at Big Motoring World, helping educate customers about the big wide car world. Stuart has helped create content in the motoring world for a host of manufacturers, including working in motorsport in the British Touring Car Championship, F1 and being the host of the World Powerboating championship.
