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, 2023 was the best year for new electric car sales with 314,687 new EV registrations (up 18% on 2022).
It’s safe to say that the EV industry is booming. So, we’ve created a useful guide for anyone considering an electric vehicle so you can understand everything you need to know about how electric cars work.
An electric car is defined as a vehicle powered by electricity and an electric motor, instead of a traditional petrol or diesel engine. Big-name brands like Fiat, Audi, Skoda, Tesla, Porsche and Ford all now offer electric 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 forward. Other things like lighting and the radio are also powered by electricity.
Here’s a breakdown of the key elements that make an EV work:
1. Energy storage: Electric car batteries store electrical energy in a chemical form to power your vehicle. The most common type used in electric cars is the lithium-ion battery - like those in your smartphone, but as you can probably guess, much larger. Other types of batteries include nickel-metal hydride batteries, lead-acid batteries and ultracapacitors.
2. Charging: When you plug an electric car into a charger, electricity from the power grid flows into the battery, causing a chemical reaction that stores energy in the battery cells.
3. Electric motor: People often ask how electric engines work, but electric cars don’t have a traditional engine that burns fuel in the way we are all used to. Instead, EVs have an electric motor that uses electrical energy to create motion. It is the car battery that supplies electricity to the electric motor and propels the vehicle.
4. Driving: When you press the accelerator, the stored energy in the battery converts back to electricity and flows from the battery to the motor, which then turns the wheels, propelling the car forward. The electric motor can provide instant torque, making acceleration smooth and fast.
5. Regenerative braking: Electric cars also have a feature called regenerative braking, where energy generated while braking is captured and sent back to the battery, extending the car’s range.
6. No emissions: Because electric cars run on electricity and have no exhaust, they produce no tailpipe emissions, making them cleaner for the environment.
“Charging anxiety” has long been reported as a barrier to purchase when it comes to EV adoption, with poor public infrastructure and worries around the range of EVs causing concern to potential buyers. But, with the UK installing a record number of public electric chargers in the first three months of 2024 (6,000 new chargers according to the Department of Transport), the picture is quickly improving.
How do you charge an electric car?
Electric cars can be charged with a domestic socket, dedicated home charge point, and public chargers 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.
How long does it take to fully charge an electric car?
The frequency and amount of time you will need to charge your EV will depend on the specific make and model, plus the type of charger you use, but you can generally expect it to take several hours. According to the charging experts at Pod Point, a typical electric car with a battery of 60kWh, takes just under eight hours to charge from empty to full. But, we mostly recommend you stick to charging to around 80% to help prevent battery degradation (save 100% for the long journeys where you know you will get the full use of it). While a full charge can take some time, remember that for day-to-day use, this is often not necessary. Charging times will come down significantly depending on how much power you need for your next journey
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 your 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.
What is the range of an electric car once charged?
EV battery charge has greatly increased in recent years and is only set to increase further with innovations in 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 240 miles. Driving range is also impacted by how you drive and the weather conditions.
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 wipers, 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.
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 several 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.
- 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 – various government incentives 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 with electric vehicles is that they are much quieter to drive, as they don’t have a noisy internal combustion engine; this 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.
- Easy and convenient to charge - charging your EV at home is cost-efficient, convenient and simple. Just park up at home and plug into 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.
Do electric cars have engines?
No, electric cars do not have an engine in the traditional sense. Whilst most cars have always run with internal combustion engines, EVs have electric motors that receive energy from the car’s rechargeable battery.
Do electric cars have an exhaust?
Fully electric vehicles do not have exhausts as they produce no emissions that require emitting (as no fuels are being burnt in the process of powering the car). Hybrid vehicles, however, do still have exhausts as they still contain combustion engines that create emissions.
Are all electric cars automatic?
Yes (well almost!). The majority of electric cars are automatic, as unlike traditional petrol engines which need gears to operate efficiently at different speeds, electric motors can produce a consistent amount of torque at a wide range of speeds. There are, however, still some models that include a manual transmission. Toyota, for example, has developed an EV with a manual transmission that could include up to 14 gears. Whilst not a necessity for the car (for the reason stated above), this was developed to continue to provide car enthusiasts with the control and interaction that they love.
Do electric cars have gears?
No, the majority do not have a traditional gearbox to move between gears, as they do not require multi-speed transmission as an internal combustion engine does. Most EVs have a single-gear system.
How do electric cars help the environment?
Electric cars help the environment as they produce no tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases. As they run on electricity, their impact can also be decreased further when energy is sourced from renewables like wind or solar. Additionally, they are more energy efficient than petrol and diesel cars, requiring less energy to travel the same distance.
Do electric cars need an MOT?
Yes, it is law in the UK that all cars (including electric), must have an MOT each year if over three years old to ensure they are safe to be driven.
Do electric cars need oil?
Electric cars do not require engine oil. Oil in a car is used to lubricate the mechanical workings of the combustion engine. As electric vehicles have a motor rather than an engine, oil isn’t required in an EV.
Do electric cars need servicing?
Yes, although depending on the make or model, this could be less regularly than required for your petrol or diesel vehicle. With less moving parts (specifically no gear box or combustion engine), it’s worth checking the servicing schedule recommendation of the car manufacturer, as you could be able to save yourself both time and money.
Do normal garages MOT electric cars?
Yes, any garage can conduct MOTs and services on electric vehicles as there are no additional qualifications required. However, here at Eurorepar, we are committed to the electrification journey so have launched an ‘EV Label’ to help you find the best garage for your vehicle. Our ‘EV Label’ guarantees you trained and qualified teams owning the necessary equipment to service electrified vehicles in safety and in strict compliance with the manufacturer's maintenance plans to preserve the warranty of the vehicle and its traction battery.
We hope our guide has helped you understand what electric cars are and how they work. If you’d like more assistance with assessing the condition of your electric vehicle, why not book an MOT at your closest Eurorepar centre or take your car for a service? Or, for general motor advice and information, head over to our blog.
