Is Electric right for me? The facts you need to know about converting to an electric vehicle.

Is Electric Right for Me?

Where is your main charge point?

Whether you choose an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), you’ll want to know where you can charge it. Happily, there are plenty of options.

Steady access to charging Roughly 80% of EV owners charge their vehicles at home, which is hardly surprising since this is where you’ll find a constant source of electricity. At home, via your vehicle’s charging cable, you can connect your car to the mains supply – or a specially installed wallbox which offers fast-charging capability.
Occasional access to charging Many EV and PHEV drivers have the opportunity to charge their cars at work. In which case, at the very least, you should have access to a three-pin socket – and in many instances, businesses provide fast-charging connectors.
Access to public charging Wherever you are in the UK, you’re never far from a public charging point. As things stand, there are more than 48,450 charging points around England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – and more are being added all the time.

How far do you drive daily?

EVs possess what is commonly known as ‘range’, which refers to the maximum distance an electric vehicle can travel upon a single charge. PHEVs have electric range too, though this is considerably shorter.

Wherever you drive, you should have no issues with ‘range anxiety’, a term that describes a fear of running out of electric power. For instance, the all-electric Škoda Enyaq offers a range of up to 339 miles. Even if your journey is longer than this, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy rapid-charging top-ups along the way.

Short trips All electrified vehicles are ideal for short trips.

For instance, the Kia Sorento PHEV offers an electric range of up to 35 miles.
Medium trips If you’re embarking on a medium-length trip, any electrified vehicle is more than capable of completing the journey. This is because:

● EVs have an average range of 181 miles
● PHEVs have their combustion engine to fall back on
● Hybrids are powered principally by their combustion engine (with a hybrid vehicle, the electric motor merely assists, and the battery is self-charging.
Long trips It’s possible that the length of your journey will exceed the maximum range of your electric car, but this needn’t stop you from topping up the battery en route (or on the way back).

Most public access points offer rapid-charging capability, which means EV car batteries typically undergo a 20% to 80% charge in less than an hour.

Ownership

There are many advantages to electric/plug-in hybrid/hybrid vehicle ownership. Here are just a few of them…

Everyday costs An EV in particular is the most affordable form of motor car to run. Even if you choose a PHEV, its electric motor ensures a reduction in miles per gallon, particularly when travelling in and around town. Hybrid vehicles also pay their way because they tend to be more efficient than their conventional equivalents.
Maintenance costs An EV powertrain consists of fewer working parts than a combustion engine. This means it’s less likely to go wrong, resulting in lower/fewer repair bills.
Government schemes A number of government-backed grants are available for EV/PHEV drivers. For full details, please click here. It’s also worth noting that all of our EVs and PHEVs – and the majority of our hybrid vehicles – are exempt from ULEZ charges.
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