HOW ELECTRIC CARS WORK
Photo by dcbel
With growing environmental concerns, fuel shortages and increasing emissions regulations, more and more people are choosing to buy electric vehicles (EVs).
According to Hey Car, more battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold in 2021 than over the previous five years combined (2016-2020) with 190,727 registrations (11.6% of all new car sales), while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) made up 7% or 114,554 cars.
It’s safe to say that the EV industry is booming. So, we’ve created a useful guide for anyone considering purchasing an electric car. We discuss how electric cars work, how to charge them, the pros of owning one, and the different types available.
It’s pretty simple really. Electric vehicles are powered by electricity, instead of a traditional petrol or diesel engine. Big-name brands like Fiat, Audi, Skoda, Tesla, Porsche and Ford all now offer electric vehicles.
There are many different types of electric vehicles that all sit under the umbrella term ‘EV’ - which can mean anything from pure electric vehicles to hybrids that boost efficiency.
These vehicles run purely off electricity and have to be charged using a home socket or dedicated charging point, so they produce zero emissions as a result.
Plug-in hybrids have both an electric motor and petrol or diesel to power the engine. They must be charged in an electric socket and filled with fuel. This type of electric vehicle tends to work on electric, then once levels are depleted, switch to traditional fuel. So, you can do short journeys on electric-only and reduce your emissions.
Hybrid vehicles don’t have to be charged as they have an electric motor to assist a conventional petrol or diesel-powered engine. The main engine is still a traditional fuel engine and the electric battery is much smaller, so will only be able to last a few miles before switching to fuel. However, HEVs still produce less CO2 than conventional vehicles.
Electric cars work by sourcing electricity from the grid when they are plugged in to charge. This is stored in large rechargeable batteries that power an electric motor - instead of an internal combustion engine - which turns the wheels and propels the vehicle forwards. Other things like lighting and the radio are also powered by electricity.
How do you charge an electric car?
Electric cars can be charged with a domestic socket, dedicated home charge point, and public charger on the roadside, at work or a service station. For longer journeys, where you may need to charge en-route, use the network of high-power rapid chargers (43-350kW) at motorway service stations and other locations across the UK. Take a look at Zap Map’s interactive map of charging points across the UK. The frequency and amount of time you will need to charge your EV will depend on the specific make and model.
How long does it take to fully charge an electric car?
This largely depends on the make and model of the electric vehicle, plus the type of charger you use, but you can generally expect it to take a number of hours. Fast-charging devices (6-10amps) may be able to charge your vehicle from zero to full capacity within ten hours, whereas slower chargers (2-3amps) will take approximately 24hours. So, we recommend plugging your EV in at home overnight.
However, these timings assume that the battery is flat which is unlikely and don’t consider the fact that you don’t have to charge your EV battery to 100%. Electric cars can charge from 0-80% on fast public chargers in as little as 30 minutes. These charging points range from 50-150kWh and fast-charging technology is only set to increase.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
Charging points can be free, pay-as-you-go or subscription based. If you have a home charging point installed, you only pay for the electricity you use to charge you EV. Charging costs will depend on the amount of charging you do, the type of charger you have and how often you use public chargers. We’d recommend getting an electricity tariff designed specifically for EV drivers, as these reduce the costs of electricity when you charge your vehicle overnight. So, although your overall electricity usage will increase, there are ways to offset big costs.
How much maintenance do electric cars need?
Electric cars tend to require significantly less maintenance than those with traditional internal combustion engines. However, if your EV does develop an issue with the windscreen wiper, brakes, air conditioning, tyres or anything else, you can get it checked and repaired at one of our Eurorepar car service garages. If your EV develops an issue with the electric battery or system, you will need to take it to a specialist EV garage.
What is the range of an electric car?
EV battery charge has greatly increased in recent years and is only set to further increase with innovative technology. It differs from model to model, but most electric cars can last for anywhere from 200 to 350 miles before they need recharging. In general, the more you pay for your EV, the greater the driving range. The Tesla Model 3 LR can last approximately 350 miles, whereas the Renault Zoe can last up to approximately 245 miles. Driving range is also impacted by how you drive; fast and erratic drivers will get fewer miles per charge than careful drivers.
Some models of electric car include energy-saving features that can improve battery life, such as ‘regenerative braking’ which is where the battery charges when you brake, whereas some PHEVs have an ‘idling’ feature where the car automatically switches off when stationary to save energy. So, look out for these.
What are electric car batteries made from?
The majority of EV batteries are made from lithium-ion; they work in the same way that batteries in our mobile phones and laptops work – only on a much larger scale! Their capacity will decrease over time with hundreds of charge cycles.
Top tip: Did you know that only charging your car when you need to, rather than every time you come home, can help extend the life of your electric battery? By keeping the charge level between around 20% and 80%, you can make your battery last longer.
If you’re wondering whether to invest in an electric car, then it may be worthwhile to consider the pros of these kinds of vehicles. We’ve made a handy list below:
There are many benefits of electric cars which have contributed to their significant increase in popularity over recent years, from driving experience to reduced emissions. So, although you may have to pay more upfront, there are a number of different ways you can save.
Better for the environment – perhaps the most compelling reason to buy an electric or hybrid vehicle is that they release fewer or no emissions, so are much better for the environment than traditional fuel-powered vehicles. Many people are investing in them to help to reduce their carbon footprint
Exempt from road tax – purely electric vehicles do not have to pay for tax, however hybrid vehicles do
Exempt from congestion charge zones – electric vehicles are exempt from congestion charges, making them a great option for those driving frequently within clean air zones. The current congestion charge is £15 a day between 7am-10pm, so you could save a fair amount!
Government subsidies – there are various government incentives that are available to owners of EVs, designed to encourage the use of zero-emissions vehicles. These include discounts when buying a plug-in vehicle, and help to install a home charging point, workplace charging and on-street charging. See a full list of incentives at Gov.uk.
Cheaper to run – electric vehicles are often cheaper to run as you don’t have to pay for fuel and they don’t require as much maintenance or car servicing as internal combustion engines
Nicer driving experience – one of the biggest differences about electric vehicles is that they are much quieter to drive, as they don’t have a noisy internal combustion engine; this which results in a more relaxing driving experience and less noise pollution. All electric cars also have instant torque (AKA how much power an engine can produce), meaning you’ll always have power under the accelerator. As soon as your foot hits the accelerator, you’ll get an instant surge of speed
Easy and convenient to charge - charging your EV at home is cost-efficient, convenient and simple. Just park up at home and plug in to an electric car charging socket. No more panicked dashes to a petrol station when you realise you’re running on fumes…
Great choice – due to the growing popularity of EVs, there is more choice than ever from all the big-name brands
We hope that this guide has told you everything you need to know about electric cars, including how they work and the advantages and disadvantages of having one. For more expert motoring advice, check out our blog.
Although electric cars tend to need much fewer repairs than fuel-powered cars, if you do need anything checking or replacing, our professional technicians can help. Find your nearest Eurorepar centre and book in for a service, MOT or repair online today.
