Should I Learn to Drive in an EV?

For generations, learning to drive has meant the same thing: mastering the lurch and shudder of a clutch, the drone of an engine, and the vague smell of petrol.

But for the next wave of L-platers, a new question is emerging, one that their parents never had to consider: "Should I learn to drive in an electric car?"

The answer isn't just about technology; it's about the entire feeling of being behind the wheel for the first time.

It’s about confidence, anxiety, and how a car can either be a terrifying, complicated machine or a calm, encouraging partner on your journey to getting a licence.

The Sound of Silence: A Less Anxious Beginning

Think back to your first driving lesson. The intimidating roar of the engine when you accidentally pushed the accelerator too hard. The stressful guesswork of gears. The fear of stalling at a busy intersection.

An electric car erases almost all of this initial sensory overload.

From the moment you press the 'On' button, an EV is silent. There's no vibration, no engine noise, just a quiet readiness. This silence is incredibly calming for a nervous learner. It allows you to focus on the things that really matter: your surroundings, your road position, your speed.

The power delivery is perfectly smooth and linear. There are no gears to worry about, no clutch to master, and absolutely no chance of stalling. The car simply goes when you press the pedal and stops when you brake.

This profound simplicity removes a huge layer of cognitive load, freeing up a learner's anxious mind to concentrate on the actual art of driving.

Building a Different Kind of Confidence

Learning in an EV builds a different kind of confidence. It’s not the old-school confidence of mastering a complex machine. It's a modern confidence born from feeling in total, intuitive control.

Features like regenerative braking, where the car slows down gently the moment you lift your foot off the accelerator, teach a smoother driving style from day one. It encourages you to think ahead, to anticipate the flow of traffic.

The experience feels less like wrestling with a machine and more like a partnership. The car works with you, not against you. The giant screens, which can be a distraction for experienced drivers, are often a godsend for learners.

The 360-degree camera views make that first terrifying reverse park feel less like guesswork and more like a video game, providing a clear, unambiguous view of your surroundings. It demystifies the car's dimensions and empowers the learner to manoeuvre with precision.

A Stepping Stone to the Future

Of course, there's the argument that learning on an automatic EV doesn't prepare you for driving an older manual car. That's true. But it's a bit like arguing that learning to type on a computer doesn't prepare you for using a typewriter.

The world has moved on. Learning in an EV is not taking a shortcut; it's simply starting your driving journey in the present, not in the past.

The feeling an EV gives a new driver is one of empowerment. It makes a scary, complex rite of passage feel simpler, safer, and calmer. It transforms the car from a source of anxiety into an accessible, encouraging tool. And for any parent watching their child pull out onto the road for the first time, that feeling is priceless.