Electric cars really are the future. Every day more and more are popping up on the streets as all kinds of wild and wonderful electric vehicles arrive in the showrooms. In addition, the government is pushing us to buy electric vehicles too, while a ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars from 2030 really supports this.
But with electric cars come a lot of new questions and answers – some of which have been answered in our latest video below. So let’s take a look at what you need to know about electric cars.
What kind of infrastructure is there?
Charging is of course one of the most important aspects of owning an electric car. You have to put a load in it to move, right? Well, luckily, the number of public chargers you’ll be using on the go is growing. According to EV charging point mapping provider Zap Map, there are now 24,390 devices with 41,971 individual connections across the UK. Not that bad. To learn more about charging an electric vehicle, watch our video here.
But what about charging at home?
Home charging is something most EV owners want to do when they can. Of course, you have to park off-street to do this, but it’s by far the most convenient way to charge your electric car. This is done via a professionally installed wallbox, to which you simply connect your car and you can start charging the batteries. You could use a 3 prong outlet, but this is slow and not really recommended unless you are in an emergency and need urgent charging.
But how do I measure the charge?
This is one area where things can get confusing. When it comes to charging speeds, we speak of kilowatts – or kW. This is essentially the speed at which the energy is being delivered – just imagine how quickly the gasoline comes out of the pump. The higher the number, the faster the loading speed. So while a home charger delivers 7.4 kW of power and charges an average electric car in around nine hours, a public quick charger can deliver up to 350 kW and charge zero to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
But can all electric cars charge with 350 kW?
No. Every car is designed to charge at different speeds and that is how much they can accept. For example, if you connect the Skoda Enyaq iV – which can charge at speeds of up to 125 kW – the maximum charging speed is 125 kW, even when connected to a fast 350 kW charger.
And how much charge can you store?
So while the speed is measured in kW, the electrical power is measured in kilowatt hours – or kWh. This is the size of the car’s battery and is related to how much range it can deliver. For example, the latest Audis use a 74 kWh battery and that brings back a range of over 300 miles. A Renault Zoe, on the other hand, has a 52 kWh battery, so it cannot deliver the same range on a single charge.
Will an electric car be cheaper to drive than a gasoline or diesel?
Mostly yes. Electric cars are cheaper in everyday life, especially if you can charge at home. You also have lower maintenance costs because there are fewer moving parts. E-cars also cost less taxes.
However, they tend to be priced higher than conventionally powered cars, while insurance premiums for electric cars can be slightly higher.
But is driving fun?
For sure. An electric car can deliver its torque immediately – there is no break like with a gasoline or diesel car. Plus, they’re whisper-quiet, which makes them quiet and relaxing for driving around town – or higher speeds. There are tons of electric cars out there too – far more than you might think. To see some of the best, take a look at our feature here.
Are there any other advantages?
Absolutely! Since an electric car doesn’t have a bulky engine or a clunky gearbox, it can take up a lot more interior space than conventional cars. In fact, some electric cars have more cabin space than gasoline or diesel cars in the class above. They are therefore great options for families.
