Electric vehicle drivers are struggling to stick to speed limits because of quiet engines and instant acceleration, a new study reveals.

The survey of 1,000 UK motorists found that nearly half (47.5%) of EV drivers find it difficult to maintain lower speeds. Across all motorists surveyed, almost one in four (23%) echoed this concern.

Drivers blamed instant torque and a lack of engine noise for making it easy to drift above the legal limit without realising.

The research was carried out by Ooono, the tech firm behind the Co-Driver road safety device, and highlights a growing gap between vehicle performance and driver awareness as the UK transitions away from petrol and diesel cars.

Although modern cars are jam-packed with technology designed to keep drivers safe, few models offer a speed camera and road hazard alert system as standard. Many buyers mistakenly assume these features are built-in.

Mike Skyte, regional marketing manager (UK & Ireland) at 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 findings also challenge the perception that electric cars encourage gentler driving, and come as the UK continues its transition towards battery-powered vehicles.

Skyte continued: “The instant acceleration and near-silent driving experience of EVs can make speed harder to judge for some motorists. 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 revealed widespread confusion among motorists over speeding laws.

More than a third (35.6%) wrongly believe speed cameras must be clearly visible and signposted by law. Meanwhile, 15.5% think they can avoid a penalty simply by slowing down before reaching a speed camera, and almost 12% believe there is an official ‘10% plus 2mph’ rule that makes it legal to exceed the speed limit.

Skyte added: “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.”