Electric Cars

Electric vehicles (EVs) are often considered better than petrol or diesel cars for several reasons. They produce zero emissions, which helps reduce air pollution and lower your carbon footprint. EVs also tend to have lower running costs, as electricity is generally cheaper than fuel and maintenance is less frequent due to fewer moving parts. Additionally, EVs offer a quieter, smoother driving experience and can benefit from incentives such as tax breaks or rebates. However, the choice between an EV and a fuel based car can also depend on factors like driving range, charging infrastructure, and personal preferences.

A hybrid vehicle is not a fully electric vehicle (BEV), but it does combine elements of both fuel engines and electric power. Hybrids use a combination of an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions compared to traditional fuel based vehicles. While they can run on electric power alone for short distances, they rely on petrol or diesel for longer trips or when additional power is needed. Unlike fully electric vehicles, hybrids still require fuel and have a fuel tank in addition to a battery. There are two core types of hybrid car, plugin hybrids (PHEV) where the battery is charged from an external power supply and mild hybrids (HEV) where the battery is charged by the internal combustion engine.

The charging time for an electric car can vary based on several factors, including the battery size, the type of charger used, and the car’s charging capabilities. On a standard home wall socket, it can take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours to fully charge an electric vehicle. Using a dedicated home fast charger can significantly reduce this time, often to around 4 to 6 hours. Public fast chargers, such as those found at charging stations, can charge an EV to 80% in as little as 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the charger’s power output and the car’s charging capacity. All of the above options will come with different price associations, often in the U.K fast charging stations come with a premium price tag for the service in comparison to charging at home whereby your electric supplier can offer specific EV tariffs. 

EV stands for electric vehicle.

Driving an electric vehicle (EV) is similar to driving a traditional car, but there are a few key differences to keep in mind. Start by ensuring the car is fully charged or has enough battery power for your journey. Once inside, press the brake pedal and, if necessary, shift into drive or reverse, as many EVs use a simple gear selection system. Unlike conventional cars, EVs typically don’t have a traditional gear shift or clutch; instead, acceleration is smooth and immediate. Use the accelerator pedal gently to start moving, and enjoy the quiet and responsive driving experience. Keep an eye on the battery level and use regenerative braking, which is often standard in EVs, to recover energy and extend your range. When you need to stop, use the brake pedal as usual, and when parking, engage the parking brake if your EV has one. Make sure to plan your routes with available charging stations in mind, and take advantage of the vehicle’s navigation system if it includes charging station locations and range predictions.