UK drivers considering a switch to electric vehicles (EVs) can find out how much they could save and the car model best suited to them with a new app developed by EV8 Technologies and backed by NatWest Group.

The platform is designed to eliminate confusion around how an EV could work for customer lifestyle and driving habits.

"By supporting the work of EV8 Technologies, we are offering a solution to help people and businesses understand their opportunity of going green,” said James Close, head of climate change, NatWest Group. “We want to be the country’s leading bank in helping to address climate change and are determined to play an active role in the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy.”

Close added: “Powerful partnerships will help to accelerate the speed of that transition, and we look forward to continued collaboration with EV8 Technologies in the roll-out of the EV8 Switch app.”

NatWest’s decision to back the app comes as the banking industry faces growing scrutiny over investment in carbon intensive, high-emission industries and businesses.

A recent report from Greenpeace revealed that in 2019, UK banks and asset managers, through their investments, were responsible for 805 million tonnes of CO2 –almost double the UK's annual carbon emissions.

The new app, called ‘EV8 Switch’, analyses 14 days’ worth of real-world driving data to provide personalised insights for users.

A 'Switchability' score shows how much money UK drivers could save by switching to an EV compared to their current petrol or diesel vehicle, along with detail on the CO2 savings and air quality improvements they could achieve.

Drivers can also see which electric vehicles would be the most suitable for them based on their current vehicle and how switching to electric could fit in with their current lifestyle.

EV8 Switch users can also see how close their nearest charge points are, and which journeys can be completed without the need to top-up enroute.

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