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Volkswagen electric cars: Your questions answered

Volkswagen electric cars

At the time of writing, Volkswagen sells six fully electric cars in the UK. The latest EV to join the German marque’s expanding range is the ID.7 Tourer.

This guide offers a broad overview of what you need to know about buying an electric Volkswagen right now. We will aim to update the page regularly as new electric Volkswagens are introduced.

Got any additional questions? Let us know in the comments and we will endeavour to help. 

Buying an electric Volkswagen

Volkswagen electric cars

Which fully electric cars does Volkswagen sell?

Volkswagen offers six fully electric cars in the UK: the ID.3 (family hatchback), ID.4 (compact SUV), ID.5 (SUV coupe), ID.7 (executive hatchback), ID.7 Tourer (large estate) and ID.Buzz (people carrier).

Which Volkswagen electric cars are coming soon?

Volkswagen has promised to launch 10 new electric cars by 2026, the first of which is likely to be the ID.2all. Similar in size to a Golf, this model is expected to cost around £22,000 and offer up to 280 miles of range. It will also spawn a sporty version called the ID.GTI.

A long wheelbase version of the ID.Buzz is also due in 2025, along with a sporty GTX version of the fashionable electric MPV.

What is Volkswagen’s electric car brand called?

Volkswagen’s electric car brand is called ID. In 2020, the company said it stands for ‘intelligent design, identity and visionary technologies’, although this is more often shortened simply to ‘intelligent design’.

Volkswagen electric cars

What is the warranty on a Volkswagen electric car battery?

Volkswagen electric car batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The cars are covered by the marque’s standard three-year or 60,000-mile warranty.

Where can you buy a Volkswagen electric car?

You can buy a new Volkswagen electric car from your nearest Volkswagen dealer. 

How much do Volkswagen electric cars cost?

With prices starting from around £31,000, the ID.3 is currently the cheapest Volkswagen electric car on sale, although the forthcoming ID.2all is expected to undercut it by around £10,000. Next up at the moment is the ID.4, which starts from around £44,500.

The ID.5 is a tad more expensive at £46,000, while the ID.7 and ID.7 Tourer start from £51,500 and £52,500 respectively. Finally, life with an ID.Buzz costs from around £59,000.

Charging an electric Volkswagen

Volkswagen electric cars

What type of plug do Volkswagen EVs use?

Volkswagen electric cars use a CCS (Combo Rapid Charge) and seven-pin Type 2 plug.

What charging equipment comes as standard with a Volkswagen electric car?

Volkswagen electric cars come with a Type 2 (Mode 3) charging cable for public charging. A Mode 2 charging cable for home charging is available as an optional extra.

Can Volkswagen electric cars use rapid chargers?

Yes, all Volkswagen electric cars can use rapid chargers, but the maximum charging speed will depend on the model. For example, an ID.7 with an 86kWh battery pack can charge at speeds of up to 200kW, while the ID.3’s peak is 170kW.

Can Volkswagen electric cars use Ionity chargers?

Yes, all ID electric cars can use the Ionity ultra-rapid charging network. Indeed, Volkswagen was one of the founding partners in creating the Ionity network, along with BMW, Ford, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz.

Where is the charging point located on a Volkswagen electric car?

The charging point on the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7 and ID.7 Tourer is located on the driver’s side rear wing, above the rear wheel. On the ID.Buzz, it’s also on the driver’s side rear wing, but positioned a little lower, between the rear wheel and the back bumper.

Which charge partner does Volkswagen work with?

Volkswagen works with Ohme, OVO and BP Pulse to deliver a range of charging solutions, both at home and on the move.

Volkswagen electric cars

What is Volkswagen wallbox called?

There isn’t a specific Volkswagen-branded wallbox charger (see below).

What wallbox options does Volkswagen offer?

Volkswagen recommends the use of Ohme’s home chargers, and OVO as a green energy provider. There are two wallboxes available: Ohme Home Pro for 7kW tethered charging and Ohme ePod for 7kW untethered home charging.

Do you get a free wallbox when you buy a new Volkswagen electric car?

No, you will have to pay extra for an Ohme home charger. The Home Pro unit costs £975, while the ePod is cheaper at £925. Both these prices include installation.

What is the Volkswagen charging service?

Volkswagen’s charging service is called We Charge. There are three plans to choose from, each one tailored to specific needs. For example, We Charge Free has no monthly fee and prices ranging from 69p to 85p per kWh.

The mid-tier We Charge Go costs £5.49 a month and has a tariff of 53p to 85p per kWh, while We Charge Plus costs £13.99 a month but offers the lowest prices, at 53p to 69p per kWh.

Do Volkswagen electric cars have an on-board DC charger?

Yes, all Volkswagen ID models are fitted with an 11kW on-board charger.

What is the maximum charging speed of a Volkswagen electric car?

The maximum charging speed of a Volkswagen electric car depends on the model and battery size. For example, the ID.3 with a 77kWh battery pack has a maximum charging rate of 170kWh, while the ID.4 maxes out at 125kW, even with the 77kWh battery.

The arrival of the GTX model has boosted the ID.5’s charging speed to 175kW, while the ID.7 offers a peak speed of 200kW. Lastly, the ID.Buzz has a maximum charging rate of 170kW.

Driving an electric Volkswagen

Volkswagen electric cars

What is the range of a Volkswagen electric car?

Volkswagen ID.3: up to 334 miles

Volkswagen ID.4: up to 349 miles

Volkswagen ID.5: up to 344 miles

Volkswagen ID.7: up to 436 miles

Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer: up to 424 miles

Volkswagen ID.Buzz: up to 293 miles

Please note: these figures are the maximum (combined) range for each model. The exact numbers will vary depending on power output, battery capacity, options selected and wheel size.

What is the Volkswagen electric car smartphone app called?

Volkswagen’s smartphone app is simply called ‘Volkswagen’. Using VW Connect/We Connect, ID owners can access real-time traffic information, pre-heat or pre-cool their car’s cabin, get a vehicle health report and an array of other features.

Volkswagen electric cars

How many Volkswagen dealers are there and do they offer free charging for owners?

There are approximately 180 Volkswagen dealers in the UK, none of which offer free charging for owners. Click here to discover where you can still charge an electric car for free.

Does Volkswagen sat-nav show charging point locations and availability?

Yes, the EV route planner in Volkswagen’s sat-nav system shows charging point locations and availability.

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Is it worth converting a classic car to electric power?

Electrogenic Mazda MX-5

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. It’s entirely up to you. There are a number of well-established companies that can convert your classic car to electric power. So if you have the desire and the funds, by all means go for it.

We have driven a handful of electric restomods for our sister site, Motoring Research: everything from a David Brown Mini eMastered to a Bentley S2 Continental by Lunaz. The first thing that strikes you is the cost of an electrified classic car. Prices for the Mini start from £150,000, while the Bentley was a cool £500,000 – including the donor vehicle and a bare-metal restoration to better-than-new condition.

Not cheap, then, but it’s worth remembering that new electric cars are more expensive than their petrol and diesel counterparts. Take the Vauxhall Corsa: you can buy one with a petrol engine for less than £19,000. Yet the electric version starts from £26,900 and tops out at £35,100. That’s a lot of cash for a small car.

David Brown Mini eMastered

Even so, the process of converting a classic car to electric power doesn’t provide a more affordable alternative. On the contrary, you’ll need to spend the equivalent of a new Corsa Electric if you want a company to convert a car on your behalf. And that’s likely to be just the start…

Think you can do the job at home? Think twice. A DIY EV conversion requires knowledge and expertise beyond the realms of most home mechanics, not to mention the significant safety considerations of working with high-voltage electrics. A specialist such as Electrogenic will handle all of this, plus the paperwork required to make the car road-legal.

Why converting a classic car to electric is a good idea

Let’s start with the positives. If you love cars, you’re probably guilty of getting misty-eyed over a classic, failing to remember all the mornings when it refused to start or that time it broke down on a dark country lane. Perhaps you’ve also forgotten the terminal rust in the sills, or the time you spent scouring the internet for a discontinued part?

Don’t get us wrong, we’re as guilty as the next car enthusiast. But the fact remains: a classic car requires time and effort to keep on the road. And keeping cars alive is getting more expensive, even if yours is old enough to qualify for free road tax (VED).

Electrogenic Mazda MX-5

There’s also the prospect of higher taxation, increasing fuel costs and the banning of classic cars from towns and cities. It’s only going to get more difficult to own and run an older car. An electric conversion might be the best way to keep using the car you love.

A classic car converted by a company that knows what it’s doing can be a joy to drive. Writing about the Lunaz Bentley, our Motoring Research’s Tim Pitt said: ‘Electric cars can feel dull and one-dimensional, like white goods on wheels. Not in this case. Sitting up at SUV-height, behind a huge and spindly Bakelite wheel, with its long bonnet stretching into the middle distance, the Bentley exudes a solemn gravitas and palpable sense of occasion.’

Tim also enjoyed the David Brown Mini eMastered. He said “it feels tailor-made for the urban slog… while its diminutive size makes parking a doddle. You don’t need to worry about the ULEZ charge, either.”

Why converting a classic car to electric is a bad idea

The case against converting a classic car to electric is partly an emotional one. A car’s engine is part of its character, so its removal can feel like robbing it of its soul. Particularly when that engine is something like a Porsche flat-six. The way it delivers its performance, the noise and vibration when downshifting through the gears, the wail of the exhaust when you drive through a tunnel… all these elements are lost when you convert to electric power.

The counter argument is an electric powertrain can potentially make a classic car much faster. It’s like treating the vehicle to a heart transplant. Electric cars are known for their rapid acceleration, so your humble hatchback or sluggish saloon could become something that rivals a Tesla in the traffic light Grand Prix.

However, most classics aren’t engineered to copy with a vastly increased power output, nor indeed the added weight of an EV drivetrain. That means you will potentially need to upgrade the brakes and suspension, and perhaps even strengthen the car’s chassis – all at extra significant expense. And the finished car could feel markedly different to your much-loved original.

Electrogenic Porsche 911

There’s no doubt that converting a classic car would be considered sacrilegious in some quarters, too. If the classic car is rare, historically significant or in perfect condition, it’s probably worth leaving it alone. You could also find that a once-valuable investment is worth significantly less with an electric motor under the bonnet. Even if it cost an arm and a leg to convert.

Lastly, the environmental argument for electrifying a classic also seems shaky at best, given the quantity of raw materials required, particularly within the battery pack, and the relatively small mileages these vehicles tend to cover. EVs are more socially acceptable in certain circles, however.

Those are our thoughts on the subject, but obviously you are free to make up your mind. The technology is available and there is a ready supply of classic cars to choose from, any of which can be converted to electric power. The choice is yours.

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Porsche electric cars: Your questions answered

Porsche Taycan

Porsche sells two of the most impressive electric cars available in the UK: the Taycan and the new Macan Electric SUV.

This guide offers a broad overview of what you need to know about buying a Porsche electric car in 2025, including advice on costs, charging and driving.

The EV market is changing fast, though, so we will aim to update this page regularly.

Buying a Porsche electric car

Posrche Macan Electric

Which fully electric cars does Porsche sell?

The Taycan and Macan Electric are the only fully electric cars currently sold by Porsche. That said, there are three different versions of the Taycan: standard, Sport Turismo and Cross Turismo.

The standard Taycan is a saloon, the Sport Turismo is a sleek-looking estate car and the Cross Turismo has more rugged, SUV-like styling.

Which Porsche electric cars are coming soon?

Fully electric versions of the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman sports cars will arrive in 2025, which follows Porsche’s commitment to make the 718 series exclusively electric.

Porsche will also launch a Cayenne EV to sit above the Macan Electric in its range of SUVs. As for an electric 911, that isn’t likely to arrive until the next decade.

What is Porsche’s electric car brand called?

Porsche doesn’t have an electric car brand as such, but it uses ‘Electric’ for EV versions of a model that is also available with combustion powertrains. An example of this is the Macan Electric.

Posrche Macan Electric

What is the warranty on a Porsche electric car battery?

Porsche guarantees its electric car batteries will last for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes soonest. 

Where can you buy a Porsche electric car?

You can buy a Porsche electric car from one of the 46 official Porsche dealerships in the UK.

How much do Porsche electric cars cost?

The Porsche Macan Electric is the German marque’s cheapest electric car. At the time of writing, prices start from £68,500. However, this can rise dramatically once you add a few options – metallic paint or different alloy wheels, for example.

Porsche Taycan prices vary depending on the model. In standard form, prices start from £86,500, but you’ll need to add around £2,000 for the entry-level Taycan Sport Turismo – or another £10,000 for the most affordable Cross Turismo.

Charging a Porsche electric car

Porsche Taycan

What type of plug do Porsche EVs use?

Both the Taycan and Macan Electric use Type 2 connectors for AC charging and CCS connectors for DC fast charging.

What charging equipment comes as standard with a Porsche electric car?

Every Porsche electric car comes with a Mode 3 charging cable as standard. A Porsche Mobile Charger for use at home or on the road is optional.

Can Porsche electric cars use rapid chargers?

Yes, Porsche electric cars can use rapid chargers.

Can Porsche electric cars use Ionity chargers?

Porsche electric cars can also use Ionity chargers. Indeed, Porsche Charging Service customers can fill up with ultra-rapid electricity at preferential rates.

Where is the charging point located on a Porsche electric car?

There are charging points on both sides of the Macan Electric, located above the rear wheelarches, so it doesn’t matter which way you approach a charger.

The Taycan’s charging points are located behind flaps on the front wings. AC charging is available on both sides, while DC charging is only possible on the right.

Which charge partner does Porsche work with?

Porsche was one of the founding partners of the Europe-wide Ionity high-speed charging network. As a result, it offers cheaper charging rates to its customers. 

Posrche Macan Electric

What is the Porsche wallbox called?

Rather appropriately, the Porsche home charging point is called the Porsche Wallbox.

Which wallbox options does Porsche offer?

The Porsche Wallbox offers charging speeds of up to 22kW, which enables a full recharge in up to five hours.

Do you get a free wallbox when you buy a new Porsche electric car?

No, the Porsche Wallbox is a further £1,500 on top of the cost of your car. It is delivered within five working days.

What is the Porsche Charging Service?

The Porsche Charging Service offers access to an increasing number of public charging points. By using the dedicated smartphone app or RFID card, Porsche owners can access thousands of chargers across Europe, including the ultra-rapid Ionity network.

Do Porsche electric cars have an on-board DC charger?

An 11kW on-board charger is fitted to both the Macan Electric and Taycan. A 22kW on-board charger is also available as an option.

What is the maximum charging speed of a Porsche electric car?

The updated Porsche Taycan can now handle charging speeds of up to 320kW, an increase of 50kW compared to the previous model.

The Macan Electric has a maximum charging capacity of 270kW.

Driving a Porsche electric car

Porsche Taycan

What is the range of a Porsche electric car?

The Macan 4 offers 381 miles of range from a fully charged battery, although this drops to 367 miles if you choose the flagship Turbo version.

How far you can travel between charges in the Porsche Taycan depends on the model and battery pack chosen, but the official figures range from 296 to 421 miles. Don’t expect to achieve these numbers in cold weather, though – or if you take advantage of the Taycan’s warp-speed acceleration.

What is the Porsche electric car smartphone app called?

The Porsche smartphone app is called My Porsche. As well as accessing vehicle information, the app allows owners the opportunity to check their EV’s battery status, start or stop the charging process, access the climate control settings and set preferred charging times for frequently visited places.

Posrche Macan Electric

How many Porsche dealers are there?

There are 46 Porsche dealers in the UK, plus a large number of dedicated marque specialists.  

Does Porsche sat nav show charging point locations and availability?

The Porsche Charging Planner is integrated within the My Porsche app and the car’s infotainment system.

In the Taycan, you need to activate the Porsche Connect Services, then select the Charging Planner in the infotainment system. In the Macan Electric, the Porsche Charging Planner is integrated in the car’s satellite navigation.

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What you need to know about renting an EV

Renting an EV

There are many reasons why you might rent an electric car. Maybe it’s an opportunity to see what living with an EV is like before you splash the cash. Or perhaps you already own an electric car and you don’t want a petrol or diesel vehicle while on holiday or away on business. It could even be that the rental company is unable to offer anything else.

Regardless of your reasons, renting an EV is mostly like hiring a car with a conventional engine. However, there are a few notable differences. Read on to discover more about renting an EV in the UK.

Where can I rent an electric car?

All of the major car hire companies offer EV rental services, although it could be worth checking out one of the many specialist firms. Names to consider include EV Hire, Volt-Age, Green Motion, EVision, EV Go and Ufodrive. The best rental companies will all be members of ACRISS, an association which works to raise standards across the car rental industry.

Don’t rely on solely your favourite search engine to identify the best and most appropriate EV rental company. The big companies have bigger advertising budgets and tend to appear on the first page of Google.

Renting an EV

Check EV availability

Unless you’re dealing with a specialist electric car hire company, you might find that the EV you want is unavailable. Electric car stocks tend to be smaller than those of petrol and diesel models, while a growing awareness of electric cars means that demand is higher than ever. You should think ahead, especially if you’re booking at busy times of the year. These include during the school holidays or over a bank holiday weekend.

Will the EV have a fully charged battery?

There’s no guarantee that your EV will come with a fully charged battery, although most rental companies say they aim for an 80 percent charge. Europcar guarantees at least 50 percent, while Volt-Age says the car will be fully charged if collected or 75 percent full if delivered to your house.

Anyone familiar with rentals will know that most companies expect the car to be returned with a full tank of fuel. That’s fine because it takes just a couple of minutes to fill a tank and most drop-off locations are situated close to a petrol station. Things are a little different when it comes to EVs, however.

Renting an EV

For a start, a lot of companies expect an EV to be returned with the same level of charge as when it was collected. Failure to do so will result in an additional charge. Hertz offers what it calls a Charge Purchase Option, which allows you to return the car with a minimum 10 percent charge with a fee automatically applied. Return it with the same charge and you’ll pay nothing.

To avoid an excess charge, you could consider Europcar, which requires a minimum charge of 20 percent, but says that it’s good practice to return a rental EV with a reasonable charge. In all cases, check the small print before signing the rental agreement.

It’s worth noting that some rental outlets don’t have EV chargers on-site. Thus if the previous customer returned the car with minimal charge, that’s what you’ll be left with. This is why you should familiarise yourself with the local charging network.

Renting an EV

Read the small print

You should always check the terms and conditions before grabbing the car keys. Check mileage limits, insurance details and additional fees before signing. Does the rental company provide breakdown cover or is this something you need to arrange for yourself?

Does the company offer an orientation service?

If you’re new to EVs, choosing a company that offers an orientation service would be helpful. You’ll need to know how to access the car, start it and move away, along with the ins and outs of one-pedal driving and regenerative braking. The cars might look familiar, but the driving experience is very different.

Find out where you need to look for the range estimation, because you don’t want the battery to go flat. Knowing how to charge the car is another vitally important consideration, regardless of whether you fill up at home or via the public charging network.

Renting an EV

How to charge a rental EV

Most companies supply a Type 2 charging cable for using the public charging network, along with a second cable for charging via a domestic socket. You’ll almost certainly need to use one of them before returning the car, so ask for advice or search online for infomation on how to charge the car you are renting.

Don’t simply jump in the EV and expect it to know where to find the nearest charging station or where you can recharge the battery on route. Although the car’s sat-nav is likely to have a route planner and map of charging stations, you’ll also need to check which smartphone apps you require for the many charging operators. Create an account for each respective provider before you arrive at the charging point. In some cases, the rental price will include access to a particular charging operator, so check the details when you make a booking.

Regardless of what’s included, you should download the Zapmap app. This includes details of tens of thousands of charge points, including live status, payment options and price. Make sure you plan for charging time, which could take anything from 20 minutes to several hours. Factor in the need to recharge the battery before returning the car to the rental company.

Aside from all of the above, the usual rental advice applies to hiring an EV. Give the car a once-over to check for damage before leaving the rental office, read the terms and conditions of the agreement, and return the car before the deadline. More research and knowledge is required prior to renting an EV, but it should be straightforward after that.

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Electric car jargon explained: from AC to ZEV

EvoEnergy York HyperHub

If you are baffled by BEV, confused by CHAdeMO, perplexed by preconditioning and muddled by miles per kWh, you are not alone. Luckily, we are here to help.

The rapid adoption of electric cars has introduced us to a whole new range of acronyms, abbreviations, initialisms and terms that weren’t previously part of the motoring vernacular.

Here are some of the most common words and phrases you might come across when researching or purchasing your next electric car. The list is presented in alphabetical order.

AC

Alternating current (AC) is an electric current that changes direction at regular intervals. Electric power is supplied to homes and businesses as AC, but must be converted to direct current (DC) when it’s fed into an electric car’s battery pack.

AVAS

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System. A sound generator used in electric cars to alert pedestrians, cyclists and other road users to their presence. The technology has been mandatory across Europe for all electric and hybrid cars since July 2019. Our guide to AVAS provides more information.

Battery pack

A large rechargeable battery, usually based around lithium-ion, that is used to power the electric motors of an electric car.

BEV

Short for Battery Electric Vehicle. A car that draws power solely from a battery that is charged by plugging it in.

BIK

Benefit in kind (BIK) is an income tax on company employees who receive fringe benefits or perks in addition to their salary. As a company car is considered a benefit, drivers have to pay a BIK contribution, which is based on the car’s CO2 emissions and P11D value. 

CCS

Combined Charging System. Almost all modern electric cars come with a CCS connector that allows for fast or rapid charging at a public charging point.

Cells

The electrochemical units that combine to make up a car’s battery pack.

CHAdeMO

An abbreviation of ‘CHArge de MOve’ or ‘charge for moving’. It was the original rapid-charging standard for electric vehicles, established by a group of Japanese companies. CHAdeMO is now being phased out in favour of the CCS system.

Charging speed

The time it takes to charge an electric car from empty to full, although this is more likely to be quoted as something like 20 percent to 80 percent. The bigger the battery and the slower the charging point, the longer it will take to ‘fill up’.

Electric car charging

Chargepoint

Also known as a charging point or charging station. The place where you can plug in and charge an electric car.

CO2

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the gas produced when a petrol or diesel car burns fuel, which is measured in grams per kilometre (g/km). This is used to calculate vehicle excise duty (VED – or road tax) and also company car tax, which is why electric cars offer excellent tax advantages. 

DC

Direct current (DC) is a faster type of charging because the electric car doesn’t have to convert power from AC to DC.

Destination charging

A common term used for charging an electric car when you reach your destination, rather than en-route charging. Destinations include hotels and conference venues.

Dual charging

As the name suggests, dual charging allows two electric cars to charge at the same time. It automatically splits the power between the two cars, which means the rate of charging tends to be slower.

EV

Short for electric vehicle. It’s often used to describe an electric car, but an EV could technically also be an electric van, bus or lorry.

Fast charging

Fast chargers are typically rated at 7kW or 22kW, although some Tesla destination chargers deliver 11kW of power.

Frunk

Frunk is a portmanteau of ‘front’ and ‘trunk’, the latter being the word Americans use to describe a car boot. Maybe it should be ‘froot’ in the UK?

Granny cable

A colloquial term for the ICCB (In Cable Control Box) cable that comes with an electric car. Read our guide to the granny cable.

Heat pump

A heat pump uses waste heat from an electric car’s powertrain to efficiently warm the cabin. Click here to learn more about heat pumps on Motoring Electric.

ICE

Short for internal combustion engine, used for cars that are powered by a petrol or diesel engine.

ICEing

The act of ICEing is to park in a space intended for electric cars without making use of (or having the need for) the charger. Our sister site Motoring Research has more information on the subject.

kW

Kilowatt (kW) is a measurement of electric power. 1kW is roughly the equivalent of 1.36 horsepower.

kWh

Not to be confused with kW, kWh is the total amount of energy stored in a battery. In general, the larger the battery, the further you can travel on a single charge.

Lithium-ion battery

The type of battery used in most modern electric cars.

Miles per kWh

Miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the electric equivalent of miles per gallon (mpg) in petrol or diesel cars. It tells you the distance you can expect your electric car to travel for every kilowatt-hour of energy it consumes.

Plug-in Car Grant

The Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) was a financial incentive offered by the UK government to encourage people to buy electric cars. It was cut back several times before being axed entirely in summer 2022.

Preconditioning

Preconditioning allows you to pre-heat or pre-cool an electric car’s cabin before you start your journey. Click here to discover how it can save you energy (and money).

Electric car battery

Quadricycle

Strictly speaking, not all electric cars are cars. Examples include the Citroen Ami and Renault Twizy, which are cheaper to buy than regular cars, but limited in terms of power and weight.

Range

How far you can expect to travel on a single charge, according to the official figures. The actual range will be displayed on the car’s dashboard.

Range anxiety

The fear – often irrational – of not reaching your destination in an EV. Improved battery technology and a more extensive charging network means fewer people now suffer from range anxiety.

Rapid and ultra-rapid charging

Most commonly found at motorway service stations or on major roads, rapid chargers deliver charging speeds of 43kW and 50kW. Ultra-rapid chargers deliver either 100kW, 150kW or 350kW.

Regenerative braking

A regenerative braking system can recover kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. In electric cars, some of this energy can be harnessed by the motor – and that means a longer range. Click here for more information.

REx

Short for range extender, which is essentially an electric car with a small engine that charges the batteries when they run low. Not to be confused with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid.

RFID

Short for Radio-Frequency Identification card. Used to pay for charging, these are likely to be phased out in favour of contactless payment.

Single-phase power

Most UK homes have a single-phase electricity supply, which means the charging rate for an electric car with a wallbox fitted is 7kW.

Slow charging

Slow chargers used to dominate the public network, but today you’re more likely to find them in homes and workplaces. The majority of slow charging points are rated at 3.6kW.

Smart charging

A method of charging an electric car when the electricity supply is at its cheapest. Speak to your energy company for more information.

Supercharger

Tesla’s charging network, which is being opened up to drivers of non-Tesla electric vehicles. Read our guide to Tesla Supercahrgers for more information.

Audi RS E-Tron GT

Tethered

A tethered cable is fixed to the charging point, so you don’t need to use the charging cable supplied with your electric car.

Three-phase power

By upgrading from a single-phase to a three-phase supply at your home, it’s possible to fit a faster 22kW charging unit. Few homes in the UK already have a three-phase electricity supply.

Trickle charging

The slowest form of charging, most likely from a domestic plug socket. Best used only in emergencies, as filling your car will take many hours.

Turtle mode

Used to move an electric car to safety when it is about to run out of power.

Type 1

A five-pin connector that’s found on some older electric cars and is standard in the US. It has no locking mechanism and can only carry single-phase power.

Type 2

A seven-pin connector that is widely used across Europe. It comes with a locking mechanism.

Untethered

You won’t find a cable at untethered charging points, so make sure you carry one with you in the car.

Voltage

A measure of the power of electricity. In basic terms, the higher the voltage, the more powerful the electric car.

Wallbox

Installing a home charging point – commonly known as a wallbox – is safer and much faster than using a domestic three-pin socket.

WLTP

The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) is used to measure the official, manufacturer-supplied figures for electric car range. It’s more accurate than the old NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) method, which was used until 2019.

Workplace charging

Charging your electric car at work using charging points installed by your employer.

ZEV

Zero Emission Vehicle. See also OZEV: the government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.

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How accurate is the official range of electric cars?

Tesla Model 3 range

Range is one of the major considerations when buying an electric car. Knowing how far you can drive on a full charge may ease any lingering ‘range anxiety’ you have.

All new electric cars have an official range in miles that is quoted by the manufacturer. This is the figure that, with careful driving, you can expect to achieve. However, there are a number of factors that can eat away at the quoted mileage figure.

Before we explore the many variables that determine an electric car’s range, it’s worth a brief look at how this figure is calculated. 

The WLTP efficiency test

WLTP

The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) is the officially approved way of measuring fuel consumption, electric range and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for new cars. The figures have to be quoted for all new cars registered after January 2019.

The WLTP test cycle was developed using real driving data from around the world – so it’s relatively realistic – certainly more so than the previous New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test. Or the ‘steady 56mph’ fuel economy test used in the distant past.

For an electric car, the battery must be fully charged at the start of the bench test. Immediately afterwards, engineers reconnect the car to a charger using a cable equipped with an electric meter.

The figures offer a level-playing-field comparison between electric cars. They should still be used as a guide, though – you will need to adjust your driving habits to achieve the quoted range. Furthermore, some influencing factors are out of your control.

Factors that affect electric car range

Nissan Leaf in the snow

The range you can expect to achieve from a single charge depends on the electric car you own. For example, a Citroen Ami offers just 46 miles from a fully battery, while the Mercedes-Benz EQS could manage as much as 453 miles.

How close you get to those figures comes down to the following factors:

  • Temperature – Cold weather can slash electric range by around 40 percent. Tests in the USA also found high temperatures can have a negative impact on EV range
  • Speed – The faster you drive, the more energy you will consume
  • Load – If you drive with three passengers and their luggage, the electric motor will have to work harder, reducing the car’s range
  • In-car technology – Switching on the air conditioning, charging your phone and enjoying a heated seat will all eat into the range. Use the creature comforts and tech in moderation
  • Terrain – If you live in mostly flat Norfolk or Lincolnshire, you stand more chance of achieving the quoted range than a driver in Devon or the North Yorkshire Moors. Hills are the enemy of electric range
  • Driving style – Testing those 0-62mph times in your Porsche Taycan might be exciting, but the car’s range will suffer. Slow and steady wins this particular race

How to maximise electric range

Tesla Model 3 in a tunnel

Taking the above into account will help you get closer to the quoted range, but there are other things you can do to maximise your mileage:

  • Slow down – Driving at a steady 40-50mph will ensure you get further on a single charge
  • Go easy on the options and accessories – But not to the detriment of comfort and safety. Driving in the rain without wipers or windscreen demisting isn’t advisable…
  • Regen when possible – Harvesting energy via your car’s regenerative braking should become part of your driving routine
  • Tyre pressures – Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressures
  • Avoid big alloy wheels – The larger the alloys, the less efficient you are. Think about that when you’re specifying your new electric car
  • Choose an eco route – Some sat-navs feature a ‘green route’ option. This should be your choice if you hope to get more from the battery

Our advice would be to use the quoted range figure as a starting point, or even a target to aim for. Browse the online forums and ask fellow electric car owners for a more accurate estimate of your vehicle’s range.

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DS Automobiles electric cars: Your questions answered

DS 3 E-Tense

DS Automobiles promised to become an electric-only car brand in 2024. However, at the time of writing there is only one EV available from the French company.

This guide offers a broad overview of what you need to know about buying a DS Automobiles electric car. The EV market is changing fast, so this page will be updated regularly.

Buying a DS Automobiles electric car

Which fully electric cars does DS Automobiles sell?

The DS 3 E-Tense, pictured here, is currently the only fully electric car sold by DS Automobiles.

Which DS Automobiles electric cars are coming soon?

DS Automobiles originally aimed to become electric-only from 2024. The DS 4 E-Tense will now arrive in 2025, followed by the company’s first bespoke electric car (as opposed to one based on an existing, petrol-powered model).

There are rumours of a large and luxurious DS 6 E-Tense SUV in the pipeline, too.

DS 3 E-Tense

What is DS Automobiles’s electric car brand called?

DS Automobiles electric cars carry an ‘E-Tense’ badge. Confusingly this name was formerly used on the company’s plug-in hybrid vehicles.

What is the warranty on a DS Automobiles electric car battery?

The electric car battery in a DS is covered for up to eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. More generally, all DS vehicles are covered by a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty – not especially generous in today’s new car market.

Where can you buy an DS Automobiles electric car?

You can buy a new DS Automobiles electric car from your nearest DS dealer. They are often located alongside Citroen dealers, as the two brands are closely linked.

How much do DS Automobiles electric cars cost?

The DS 3 E-Tense costs around £39,000 in Pallas trim, rising to just shy of £40,000 in Etoile trim. This means both versions escape the higher rate of VED (road tax) for new cars with a list price that exceeds £40,000.

Charging a DS Automobiles electric car

What type of plug do DS Automobiles EVs use?

The DS 3 E-Tense uses a Mode 3 (Type 2) connector for home, workplace and public charging, plus a CCS plug for rapid charging.

What charging equipment comes as standard with a DS Automobiles electric car?

The DS 3 E-Tense comes with a domestic charging cable.

DS 3 E-Tense

Can DS Automobiles electric cars use rapid chargers?

Yes, DS Automobiles electric cars can use rapid chargers.

Can DS Automobiles electric cars use Ionity chargers?

Yes, DS Automobiles electric cars can use the Ionity ultra-rapid charging network.

Where is the charging point located on a DS Automobiles electric car?

The charging point on a right-hand-drive (UK-spec) DS 3 E-Tense is located on the passenger side of the car, just above the rear wheel.

Which charge partner does DS Automobiles work with?

DS Automobiles works with Octopus Energy and Free2move Charge. 

What is the DS Automobiles wallbox called?

There isn’t a DS Automobiles wallbox as such. Instead, the company recommends installing an Octopus Energy electric vehicle charger.

Which wallbox options does DS Automobiles offer?

There are two 7kW wallboxes available from DS Automobiles: an untethered Ohme ePod for around £900, or a tethered Ohme Home Pro for an additional £75.

DS 3 E-Tense

Do you get a free wallbox when you buy a new DS Automobiles electric car?

At the time of writing, DS Automobiles is offering a free home charging wallbox when you buy a new DS 3 E-Tense. Contact your local DS dealer for more information.

What is the DS Automobiles charging service?

DS Automobiles doesn’t operate a proprietary charging service.

Do DS Automobiles electric cars have an on-board DC charger?

The DS 3 E-Tense carries a 11kW on-board charger compatible with three-phase charging.

What is the maximum charging speed of a DS Automobiles electric car?

The maximum charging speed is 100kW. Using this method, an 80 percent charge is available in 30 minutes.

Driving a DS Automobiles electric car

What is the range of a DS Automobiles electric car?

A DS 3 Tense can travel up to 250 miles between charges.

DS 3 E-Tense

What is the DS Automobiles electric car smartphone app called?

The DS Automobiles smartphone app is called MyDS. You can use the app to book a service, check your car’s charge status, operate the preconditioning and to find out how much range is left in the battery.

How many DS Automobiles dealers are there?

There are 27 DS Automobiles dealers across the UK. 

Does the DS Automobiles sat nav show charging point locations and availability?

Yes, DS 3 E-Tense drivers can locate charging stations via the dashboard touchscreen by using the MyDS app.

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Tesla electric cars: Your questions answered

Tesla Model Y

Tesla is undoubtedly the most famous electric car company in the world, with the now-ubiquitous Model 3 one of the most popular EVs of the past decade.

This is a broad overview of what you need to know about buying a Tesla electric car. The EV market is changing fast (almost as fast as a Model 3 can accelerate), so this page will be updated regularly.

Buying a Tesla electric car

What fully electric cars does Tesla sell?

The Model 3 saloon and Model Y crossover are the two Tesla electric cars currently on sale in the UK.

Both the larger Model S saloon and Model X SUV are available on the used car market, while the Cybertruck (an electric pick-up with sci-fi styling) is also listed on Tesla’s UK website.

Which Tesla electric cars are coming soon?

A facelifted Tesla Model Y will arrive in 2025, followed by Tesla’s long-awaited compact EV. The latter will be used as the foundation for a self-driving Robotaxi, while the company is also expected to launch a long-awaited new version of the Tesla Roadster.

Tesla has removed the option to pre-order a Cybertruck, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t come to the UK.

Tesla Model 3

What is Tesla’s electric car brand called?

Tesla has always been an electric-only company, so it doesn’t have a separate electric car brand.

What is the warranty on a Tesla electric car battery?

Tesla offers an eight-year warranty on its electric car batteries, although the specific terms vary according to the model. For example, on rear-wheel drive versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, the warranty period is eight years or 150,000 miles. But the limit is 120,000 miles on other versions.

The battery warranty on the old Model S and Model X was eight years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Where can you buy a Tesla electric car?

You can buy a Tesla via the website or by visiting one of the company’s showrooms. Popular locations include London (Westfield White City and Canary Wharf), Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh.

How much do Tesla electric cars cost?

The entry-level Model 3 costs just shy of £40,000, rising to £60,000 for the Performance All-Wheel Drive model. Model Y prices range from £47,000 for the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive to £60,000 for the Performance All-Wheel Drive version.

Charging a Tesla electric car

What type of plug do Tesla EVs use?

Both the Model 3 and Model Y use the CCS standard for combined AC and DC charging. 

What charging equipment comes as standard with a Tesla electric car?

A new Tesla electric car will come with a three-pin plug and cable for domestic charging. However, this is a slow process and best reserved for emergency use only.

Tesla charging

Can Tesla electric cars use rapid chargers?

Yes, Tesla electric cars can use rapid chargers.

Can Tesla electric cars use Ionity chargers?

Yes, because all current Tesla electric cars have CCS connectors, they are able to use the Ionity charging network. 

Where is the charging point located on a Tesla electric car?

The charging point on both the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y is located on the passenger side of the car, built into the rear light cluster.

Which charge partner does Tesla work with?

Tesla operates its own proprietary Tesla Supercharger network.

What is the Tesla wallbox called?

The Tesla home wallbox is called the Wall Connector.

Which wallbox options does Tesla offer?

The Tesla Wall Connector can charge at speeds up to 22kW with three-phase charging grids and is compatible with any Type 2 charge port.

Do you get a free wallbox when you buy a new Tesla electric car?

No, the Tesla Wall Connector costs £475 excluding installation.

What is the Tesla charging service?

Tesla’s charging service is called Supercharging. There are more than 60,000 Superchargers around the world, with the UK boasting around 1,100 Superchargers at 110 different locations.

Tesla Model Y

Do Tesla electric cars have an on-board DC charger?

Yes, Tesla electric cars are equipped with an on-board charger (OBC) for converting AC power into DC power.

What is the maximum charging speed of a Tesla electric car?

Both the Model 3 and Model Y have maximum charging speeds of 250kW, although more affordable 170kW versions are also available.

Driving a Tesla electric car

What is the range of a Tesla electric car?

The range of the Model 3 depends on the version you choose. For example, the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive model can travel up 436 miles between charges, while the standard Rear-Wheel Drive model offers an official 318 miles of range. The Long Range All-Wheel Drive model delivers the best balance of performance and distance, with 390 miles quoted.

The Model Y sacrifices some range for practicality, with the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive able to travel up to 373 miles between charges. The Long Range All-Wheel Drive and Performance All-Wheel Drive offer an official 331 miles and 319 miles, respectively.

What is the Tesla electric car smartphone app called?

The smartphone app is simply called ‘Tesla’.

How many Tesla dealers are there?

Tesla doesn’t operate traditional car dealers, but it does have a network of stores, service centres and delivery centres. There are around 40 outlets in the UK.

Does Tesla’s sat-nav show charging point locations and availability?

Yes, the Tesla sat-nav shows charging locations and whether those chargers are available. It also offers a route-finding service, anticipating the car’s charging needs by calculating the amount of energy likely to remain when you reach your destination.

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What happens if an electric car runs out of battery charge?

RAC electric car recovery

Just like running out of petrol or diesel in a conventional car, letting your EV’s battery run flat should be avoided if possible. The inconvenience it causes will be major – and it could affect the long-term health of the battery, too.

Indeed, with an electric car, there will be no friendly good Samaritan with a can of kilowatts to pour into your tank. Or give you a quick jump-start. Your vehicle may need to be lifted onto a flat-bed truck and carried to a charging point.

You then face another inconvenient delay before the batteries have charged sufficiently to continue your journey.

How likely are EVs to run out of charge?

Frankly, there’s little excuse for being left stranded. The range display or battery gauge on the car’s dashboard will give you plenty of warning, and your sat-nav, Google Maps or the Zap Map app can point you to the nearest charging point when needed.

The majority of electric cars also have an integrated de-powering system. If the electronics detect you are close to running flat, the power available to drive the car will be decreased and its speed limited. This should give you the best possible chance of reaching a charging point.

Can I tow an electric car?

Many electric cars can’t be towed in the old-fashioned sense, with a rope or bar behind another vehicle. This is because of how the electric motors are connected to the wheels, including the absence of a neutral gear.

Some modern EVs do have a tow mode, but most need to be loaded onto a flatbed trailer. Some can also be towed on a ‘dolly’ where the front wheels are raised and the rears remain on the road. Check your car’s handbook carefully before taking action.

What happens if my EV battery runs flat?

Electric car running low on battery charge

Breakdown recovery companies have responded to the growth of electric cars. RAC patrol vans, for example, are now fitted with a lightweight 5kW electric car chargers that give a 10-mile boost help drivers reach the next charging point.

A spokesman told Motoring Electric the EV Boost service can also be deployed if motorists reach a charger, discover it’s faulty, and don’t have enough range remaining to reach another charger.

It doesn’t require the vans to lug around heavy batteries, either. Power is generated from a second alternator fitted to the engine. The 10-mile top-up could take just 10 minutes by the roadside.

Vans carry ‘EV Boost’ branding and a bright green logo. This alone, hopes the RAC, might play a part in helping motorists overcome range anxiety, by knowing help is at hand in an emergency.

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How do you drive an electric car with one pedal?

One-pedal driving

Being able to drive using just the accelerator pedal is one brilliant benefit of owning an electric car. In most situations, instead of using the brake pedal (don’t worry – you still get one), simply lifting off the ‘gas’ will slow the car down sufficiently.

You can modulate this effect by not fully removing your foot from the accelerator pedal, so you don’t get the full braking force.

Alternatively – when approaching a junction or red traffic light, for example – you can coast to a complete stop without using the brake at all.

How does one-pedal driving work?

One-pedal driving harnesses the regeneration effect of the car’s electric motor. This can run in reverse, switching from a motor to a generator. The friction slows the vehicle down and creates electricity at the same time.

So-called regenerative braking can help recharge an electric car’s batteries, and offer you a bit of extra range. It won’t make a massive difference, but it may add a few miles over the course of a journey. It also makes driving easier, particularly around town.

EvoEnergy York HyperHub

One-pedal driving doesn’t suit every situation. On a motorway, you may not want a braking effect every time you lift off in the ebb and flow of traffic. The ability to coast down a long hill is lost, too.

However, there is always the option to switch the system off – and often to vary the amount of braking as well. Some electric cars such as the Honda e have paddles behind the steering wheel that allow three levels of regenerative braking, according to your preference.

The Nissan Leaf, meanwhile, has a dedicated ‘e-Pedal’ button on the dashboard for one-pedal driving. This increases the amount of deceleration – and thus energy regeneration – when you lift off. The infographic below explains how it works.

Nissan Leaf e-Pedal graphic

Not every electric car offers the option to drive with one pedal – Porsche didn’t consider it necessary on the Macan EV, for instance – but it’s increasingly common. The technology is also fitted to many hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars.

How easy is driving an EV with one pedal?

Even if your car is equipped with a one-pedal system, you can always switch it off and use the brake pedal in the normal way.

The reality, though, is that within half an hour, you will probably have acclimatised to one-pedal driving and enjoy its benefits. Once you have the technique mastered, we reckon you will use it most of the time. Making driving easier and boosting electric range is a win-win, after all.

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