If you own an electric car, you will need to plug in a charging cable to recharge the battery. That much is obvious.
The vast majority of EVs are supplied with at least one charging cable, so make sure they are present if you’re buying a used car. A ‘granny cable’ is a colloquial term for the ICCB (In Cable Control Box) cable that should come with the car when new.
There are two theories as to why it’s called a ‘granny cable’. One is that it’s the slowest form of charging – apologies to all the grandmothers out there. The other is that it provides emergency charging should you find yourself without access to a charger when staying with your grandparents’ house.
We prefer the former definition, but the principle remains: a ‘granny cable’ is for slow and overnight trickle charging.
What does a granny cable do?
An ICCB cable contains a box that performs the safety and communications that would otherwise be handled by a charging station. It means that you can safely connect your electric car to a domestic three-pin plug socket.
Carrying a granny cable in your car will ensure that locating a charging station at your destination isn’t essential. If you can find a plug socket, you can potentially charge for free. Just make sure you ask the proprietor’s permission before plugging in.
The granny cable is the unsung hero of the EV world.
Our hotel doesn’t have a charger but they have a car park with a plug socket. 100% charge for free.
It won’t be a quick fill-up, but you’ll wake up with a charged car. What’s more, it could be the difference between getting home or being stranded by the roadside with a flat battery.
As we said earlier, most electric cars come with a granny cable, along with a Type 2 cable for use at public charging points.
Although the Renault Zoe comes with a Type 2 charging cable and Renault’s own Chameleon Charger, the granny cable is absent. You can find them on eBay, however.
Rarely a week goes by without the launch of a new electric car. The choice of vehicles is expanding all the time, with most car manufacturers now selling at least one EV. Some, such as Tesla and Polestar, are already fully electric, while others, including Jaguar and Lotus, will head that way soon.
Prices for new EVs start from around £25,000. Alternatively, buy used and you can start ‘Motoring Electric’ from £5,000 or so. Either way, choosing the right vehicle for you is important.
In the following guide, we run through the main points to consider before you buy an electric car. Answer these questions and your path should become clearer.
Should I buy a new or used electric car?
There have been viable electric cars on sale for many years, but only recently have decent used options become available.
We discuss the issues around used EVs in a separate guide here. The overriding factor that might steer you towards a new car, however, is the ramp-up in technology.
With each passing year, car manufacturers simply build better EVs. The technology is still young, so development is happening at a rapid pace. Even existing models often receive mid-life tech upgrades – sometimes in the form of over-the-air updates – to boost their performance, efficiency or infotainment systems.
New cars also come with some great monthly finance offers that you’d be hard-pressed to match with a used model.
Lastly, bear in mind that electric car batteries degrade over time. The rate of decline isn’t catastrophic, but it’s enough to be a concern – perhaps a 10 percent reduction in range for an older EV, which might already have a relatively limited range.
Where do you usually drive?
“How far will it go on a full charge?” It’s always the first question electric car owners are asked, frequently followed by a dismissive response that it would be impossible to live with such a limited range.
Electric cars do require their owners to adopt a new mindset. The current champion in terms of range – the Mercedes-Benz EQS – can manage an impressive 453 miles before you need to plug it in. However, even that pales in comparison to a diesel-powered executive car, which might achieve 700 miles on a full tank of fuel.
This is why Tesla remains a popular choice for those who need to drive long distances. Their range is generally excellent, and the company’s Supercharger network is fast and widespread.
Many older electric cars offer a range of between 100 and 200 miles, but owners learn to live with that. They reason that the vast majority of trips are short, so recharging overnight at home becomes part of their routine.
The Honda e, for example, offers a range of just 130 miles. Honda says, perhaps rightly, that urban cars like e simply won’t be used for long-distance travel.
You have to make that call. Many electric car owners will also own another car with a petrol or diesel engine, which is capable of making a longer journey when needed.
What size of car do I need?
There used to be a trade-off here. To get the best range, you’d need a car with a big battery, and that generally meant a large car to accommodate it. Think Jaguar I-Pace, Audi E-Tron or Tesla Model S.
That is no longer so true. Smaller electric cars such as the Cupra Born use clever engineering and a lighter package that places fewer demands on the battery. The Born can cover around 280 miles on a charge, blurring the boundary between urban and long-distance use.
If you want the smallest EV possible, the Citroen Ami is a quirky two-seater designed solely for city driving. Its range is just 46 miles, with a top speed of 28mph, but a starting price of just £8,595 means you might be prepared to accept such compromises. Family-sized electric cars such as the MG4 EV cost from around £27,000.
The decision is yours
Deciding on the best electric car depends on many factors – and only you can make that final decision.
Price is obviously a major issue, although if you are considering an EV you have already accepted you will pay a premium (for now, at least).
Size and range are two other key factors. There is no point paying thousands more for the best possible range if you don’t take advantage of it. If you do need to make longer trips, however, plenty of sub-£40,000 electric cars could fit the bill.
Most electric cars are essentially automatic. This means there is no need for the driver to change gear. You simply engage D (for Drive), press the accelerator pedal and let the car do the work. Alternatively, you can select R (for Reverse).
There’s a lot more to it than that, though, not least because a traditional automatic transmission in a petrol or diesel car has several gears, whereas most electric cars use a single gear.
Why do electric cars have a single gear?
To explain why most EVs use a single gear, let’s start with why petrol and diesel cars have multiple gears. Put simply, traditional engines generate usable power and torque within a narrow band of engine speed, so they require multiple ratios to keep them within this band at different road speeds. It’s why you use first gear to pull away, then fifth or sixth on a motorway.
Electric cars don’t have this problem and can accelerate from standstill to motorway speeds (and beyond!) in a single gear. They leave the factory with a gear that delivers the best blend of acceleration, top speed and range.
Do electric cars have a reverse gear?
Not as such. Instead, an electric car has a reverse switch, designed to look like a traditional gear selector. Selecting R simply switches the direction that the electric motor (or motors) will spin, enabling you to move backwards.
In addition to R (Reverse), an electric car will have N (Neutral) and P (Park), while some will have different driving modes as well. Examples include S (Sport) for enhanced performance and E (Eco) for when you want to maximise the car’s range.
Do any electric cars have more than one gear?
Some high-performance electric cars, such as the Audi E-tron GT and Porsche Taycan have two-speed gearboxes. The first gear is used for acceleration, enabling faster starts from a standstill. Then the second gear is designed for high-speed cruising.
Can an electric car have a manual gearbox?
It’s not currently possible to buy an electric car with a stick shift, but that could change in the future. Toyota is developing a simulated manual gearbox for its next generation of electric cars, saying it wants EVs to be ‘fun to drive’.
Early reports suggest that the manual electric car is more than just a gimmick, with the system limiting output in each gear to mimic the power delivery of a petrol or diesel engine. There’s still work to be done before the system is ready in 2026, however.
How do you drive an electric car?
It’s easy to drive an electric car. In most cases, you simply press the ‘Power’, ‘Start’ or ‘On’ button, select Drive or Reverse using the selector, then press the accelerator pedal. From there, it’s just like driving a traditional car, although you will have to get used to regenerative braking, which sends energy to the battery when you are slowing down.
The other feeling you’ll need to get accustomed to is the calmness of the drive. Although an electric car can do nothing about the state of our roads – and you’re no doubt aware of the near-silent driving experience – the biggest surprise may be the wonderfully smooth way an EV speeds up and slows down.
Contrary to popular belief, you can tow a trailer or caravan with an electric car. Indeed, figures from What Car? reveal that more than half of the electric cars currently on sale can be used for towing duties.
That said, not every electric car can tow a trailer or caravan, even if an abundance of instant electric torque should make them ideal for the job. It all comes down to whether or not the EV in question has been approved to tow.
This is a process called Vehicle Type Approval. According to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), it provides ‘confirmation that production samples of a type of vehicle, vehicle system, component or separate technical unit will meet specified performance standards’. One of the categories is towing.
Some car manufacturers choose not to go through the process, even if their cars could theoretically tow a trailer. For a family SUV such as the Nissan Ariya, type approval would make sense, but it could be overkill for an electric city car or supermini.
Which electric cars can tow?
At the time of writing (May 2024), the following new electric cars have been approved to tow:
The BMW iX, Kia EV9, Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90 are four cars to consider if you’re looking to tow a large trailer or caravan. Note: the list is based on new cars available to buy right now.
Why are some electric cars unable to tow?
Aside from the fact that some car manufacturers choose not to take their EVs through the type approval process, there are other reasons why electric cars cannot tow.
Firstly, the extra weight behind the car would increase the workload for the electric motor(s), reducing the available battery range. This weight would also put significant strain on the car’s braking system.
Secondly, most regenerative braking systems are calibrated to the specific weight of the vehicle, meaning a caravan or trailer could disrupt the car’s electronics.
Remember, even if your electric car can tow a trailer or caravan, the projected range will be lower when you’ve got something hitched up to the tow bar. Be prepared for more charging stops on a long journey.
Which are the best electric cars for towing?
Electric cars performed well at the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Towcar of the Year Awards in 2024. The Volkswagen ID.Buzz was a class winner in the ‘caravans under 1,100kg’ category, while the Skoda Enyaq Coupe was the best in the 1,100kg to 1,300kg class.
Elsewhere, the Polestar 2 was named the winner in the 1,500kg to 1,700kg class, while the Nissan Ariya was named the best electric vehicle tow car.
Meanwhile, the Kia EV6 was crowned the best electric car at the What Car? Tow Car Awards 2023.
The majority of homes in the UK use a single-phase electricity supply. This means a maximum charging rate for electric cars of 7kW.
Apart from private homes, however, much of this country is served by a three-phase electricity network. As their names suggest, a single-phase supply uses one wire, while a three-phase connection has three wires – and thus a greater capacity for EV charging.
You tend to find three-phase supplies in commercial properties, where it’s possible to fit a faster charger – such as a 22kW unit.
How to check your electricity supply
According to UK Power Networks, the best way to tell if a property has a three-phase supply is by looking at the electrical fuse. A single-phase supply will have one fuse, while a three-phase electricity supply will have three 100-amp fuses.
Here is an overview of the typical domestic installations:
All of the above except the 22kW charge unit can utilise a standard single-phase home electricity supply.
Is a three-phase supply necessary?
Homeowners tend to upgrade their electricity supply when they convert a house into individual flats, extend the property, or install high-powered equipment such as an air source heat pump. The property will receive up to 70kVA (70,000 volt amps) of power.
In theory, a three-phase electricity supply should deliver faster charging times, but much depends on the electric car in question. Some cars are unable to accept a 22kW home charge, so check your handbook or speak to the manufacturer before you upgrade your property.
You also need to factor in the cost. This will vary, but you’ll be looking at anywhere between £3,000 and £20,000. It’s for this reason that many electric car owners choose to stick with a single-phase supply and install a 7.4kW home charging unit, which costs around £1,000 fitted.
Danny Morgan of Smart Home Charge argues that three-phase is overkill for the majority of electric car drivers. He uses a smartphone analogy here: “Imagine charging your smartphone with a more powerful charger overnight while you’re asleep. It may well charge in one hour instead of two, but in both scenarios your phone will be fully charged when you wake up at 7am. You won’t have noticed the time saving.”
Morgan does concede that a three-phase supply makes sense if you’re charging a number of electric cars at the same time, but that is likely to be a rare situation.
Our advice would be to opt for a 3.6kW or 7.4kW home charger, then take advantage of rapid charging when on the move.
The adverts typically show an electric car outside a glassy, futuristic home, plugged into its dedicated charging point on a covered driveway. Well, that’s the dream. But is it the reality?
It can be. If you have a personal parking space and wall box charger, you can simply arrive home and plug in. By the following morning your EV will be fully charged – using cheaper-rate overnight electricity – and you have another day of efficient, quiet and affordable motoring ahead.
The reality for EVs in 2024
Electric cars are generally more expensive to buy than petrol or diesel equivalents. So far, that means it’s mostly the better-off who can afford them. Hence the smart house with its off-street parking and easily accessible charge point.
However, the other reality is this: even today, many electric cars are used by lower-mileage drivers, due to their range or the limitations of the public charging network. That means towns and cities are their natural habitats: places where off-street parking is more of an issue.
What if you don’t have a parking space?
These are the options if you don’t have a driveway or dedicated parking space for your electric car at home.
1. Run a cable from your house to your car
This isn’t a good idea, frankly. The trip hazard if pedestrians are around is unacceptable. Anyway, you’re probably talking about an extension lead from your home domestic circuit, which is simply too slow for charging an EV – except in emergencies.
2. Public charging points
A fine idea in principle, so long as you can find one nearby. Yet there’s an issue with access if the charge point is in demand – and you’ll need to move your car once it has charged up, then find another parking space near home. Also, charging from public points has become increasingly expensive. It can cost more per mile than filling up with petrol.
3. Charging at service stations
Petrol stations are rolling out charging points for electric cars. It makes sense as more drivers migrate to this greener form of energy. Thus, in the near future, you’ll likely be able to recharge your car all the same places you used to buy petrol or diesel. The process will take more like 30 minutes instead of five minutes, though.
4. Charging while you are shopping
Tesco has worked with Pod Point to install chargers across the majority of its large Tesco Extra stores. You can’t charge for free any more, sadly, but there are fast chargers priced ‘in line with market rates’. Many other supermarkets have chargers on-site now, too.
5. Charging at work
Some businesses feel they can help staff and boost their eco credentials by installing charge points in office car parks. Just don’t expect to rely on these if lots of employees switch to EVs. It’s all too easy for demand to overwhelm supply.
6. Buy a Tesla
Things will change in future, but for now Tesla owners have two big reasons to smile. Firstly, their cars go further than most on a single charge. Secondly, the bespoke Tesla charging infrastructure is brilliant. It’s very fast and you’ll usually find a vacant slot when you arrive. There are more than 1,400 Tesla Supercharger stations in the UK – and 50,000 worldwide.
7. Other high-speed chargers
Perhaps stung by the way Tesla hit the ground running with its Superchargers, the Ionity network was set up as a joint venture between Ford, BMW Group, Daimler-Benz and the Volkswagen Group. It’s offering reliable, high-powered and fast charging across Europe – although the electricity rates aren’t cheap.
In conclusion, then, you can own an electric car if you don’t have a parking space. At present, however, most people will probably find the inconvenience associated with recharging outweighs the benefits.
Hopefully by 2035, when new petrol and diesel cars can no longer be sold in the UK, things will be very different.
You have probably heard a lot about hybrids and electric cars. Both types of vehicle can be more efficient than a conventional petrol or diesel car, reducing emissions and potentially saving you money.
Here, we will focus on the fundamental differences between a hybrid and an electric car, along with the pros and cons of each.
Cutting to the chase, an electric car offers zero tailpipe emissions, while a hybrid uses a petrol or diesel engine for its primary means of propulsion.
Just to confuse matters, there are two types of hybrid: standard or plug-in hybrid. A standard hybrid might be referred to as a ‘self-charging’ hybrid (Toyota and Lexus often use this term), while a plug-in may be called a ‘PHEV’ (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
The main difference between the two is that in a hybrid, the electric motor is there to increase efficiency, improve fuel economy and provide a small amount of electric range. We’re talking really small, though – typically a mile or so.
As the name suggests, a plug-in hybrid can be plugged in to provide anything between 30 and 80 miles of electric range. Once this range has been used up, the combustion engine takes over.
We like to think of a standard hybrid, such as the Toyota Corolla pictured above, as a worthy alternative to a diesel car – particularly now that issues such as particulate emissions have led diesels to fall from favour.
Meanwhile, a plug-in hybrid is a good halfway-house between a conventional car and an electric vehicle. Depending on the length of your commute or school run, it’s quite possible to complete your daily journeys solely in electric mode if you charge up regularly at home. Then you can save the petrol or diesel engine for longer weekend trips.
However, you must recharge the batteries in order for a plug-in hybrid to make sense. If you don’t, you’re simply lugging around a heavy battery pack, which will actually have a detrimental impact on fuel economy.
Take some Korea’s advice
Let’s consider the Hyundai Kona (pictured above in Kona Electric guise). It’s offered with three different powertrains: petrol, standard (non-plug-in) hybrid and electric, which are priced as below:
Kona petrol: From £26,040
Kona Hybrid: From £30,585
Kona Electric: From £34,995
The 100hp 1.0-litre petrol version is the least expensive, partly because it features the least sophisticated technology. The 1.6-litre Kona Hybrid develops 141hp, while the Kona Electric is available in two formats: a 48kWh battery with 156hp, and a 65kWh battery with 218hp. We’ll use the 48kWh version for comparison here, as it’s the closest to the other cars in terms of price.
Electric cars are generally more expensive than combustion or hybrid models, but things are starting to change. Relatively affordable electric cars include the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, Peugeot e-208 and MG4.
You’ll be lucky to get a mile of pure electric range out of the Kona Hybrid, because the electric motor is there to support the 1.6-litre petrol engine.
The EV’s range of 234 miles is reasonable, although this increases up to a potential 319 miles if you spend £3,600 on upgrading to the bigger 65kWh battery.
CO2 emissions and fuel economy
Kona petrol: 131g/km and 48.7mpg
Kona Hybrid: 106/gkm and 60.1mpg
Kona Electric: 0g/km and N/A
The Hybrid offers lower fuel bills and road tax than the petrol version, although it costs more to start with. The electric car is the only one to offer zero emissions (if you charge using renewable electricity).
Performance (0-62mph and top speed)
Kona petrol: 13.3 sec / 105mph
Kona Hybrid: 11.2 sec / 103mph
Kona Electric: 8.8 sec / 101mph
Performance figures might be less important for a family car like this, but it’s worth noting that electric cars offer smooth and immediate acceleration, making them great for driving in the city.
All versions of the Kona are easy and enjoyable to drive, but the pace of the electric car sets it apart. Some EVs, such as the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan, can offer performance to rival a supercar.
Hybrid and electric cars: a summary
Price, range, emissions and performance are just some of the things you should consider when deciding whether to buy a conventional car, a hybrid or an EV.
Remember that in a regular hybrid you CANNOT plug-in, with a plug-in hybrid you SHOULD plug-in, and in an electric car you MUST plug-in.
One thing is for certain: fully electric cars are getting better with every passing year. Today, they offer the range, practicality and price to make them a realistic prospect for an increasing number of people.
By continuing to browse the pages of Motoring Electric, you can discover if an electric car is right for you.
For decades, diesel power has dominated the world of vans. In a government van survey published in 2021, a massive 97 per cent of all vans were powered by diesel, with 2.7 percent having a petrol engine.
Things are changing, however, with sales of new electric vans hitting record volumes in 2023. The total increased by 21 per cent last year, to 20,253 units – according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Even so, that is still just 5.9 percent of the overall market, with diesel accounting for 91.6 percent of van registrations.
Electric vans are expected to grow in popularity as we edge closer to the 2035 ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars and vans. By then, the choice of electric vans will be better than ever, supported by a robust network of public charging points. Advancing technology also means vans will be able to travel further on a single charge and carry larger loads.
Here, we look at the current pros and cons of an electric van, so you can see if buying one would be good for your business.
The pros of electric vans
Cost savings: electric vans are significantly cheaper to run than their diesel counterparts, often as little as half the cost on a pence-per-mile basis. The cost savings will be even greater if the van is charged at home using a low-rate tariff.
Easier and cheaper maintenance: because electric vans have fewer moving parts, the cost of servicing and repairs should be more affordable. The website WhoCanFixMyCar says a typical cost of an electric vehicle service is £143.75, some £30 cheaper than an equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle. That will soon add up if you run a large fleet of vans.
Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG): Some new vans are eligible for the government’s plug-in grant. The maximum discount for eligible small vans is £2,500, increasing to £5,000 for some large vans.
Zero tailpipe emissions: electric vans produce no carbon dioxide (CO2) or nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions while driving, which is better for local air quality. Their position is even stronger if the energy required to recharge the van comes from a renewable source.
Exemption from clean air zone charges: electric vans are exempt from the UK’s ULEZ and LEZ restrictions. Electric vans are also eligible for a 100 per cent discount on the London Congestion Charge until 24 December 2025.
Strong brand message: making a delivery or arriving at a customer’s door in a quiet and clean van creates a better first impression than turning up in a noisy diesel with smoke belching out of its exhaust. If you promote your business as green and ethical, an electric van is almost essential.
Quieter and easier to drive: if you’re old enough to remember when the milkman arrived in the early hours in an electric milk float, you’ll know that electric vans are considerably quieter than traditional vans. Indeed, the sound of the milk bottles clinking in the crates was the loudest noise.
The cons of electric vans
More expensive to buy: electric vans are significantly more expensive than their diesel counterparts. For example, at the time of writing, prices of the Peugeot e-Boxer Panel Van range from £50,500 to £52,500 before the PiVG. Although it’s not necessarily comparing apples with apples, the diesel Peugeot Boxer Panel Van ranges from £30,500 to £34,500. Similarly, a new Vauxhall Vivaro with a diesel engine will cost between £29,000 and £33,000, while prices of the electric version range from £43,000 to £48,500 before the PiVG. Prices quoted are all excluding VAT.
Access to a charging point is required: it’ll be cheaper and more convenient if you have access to a charging point at home or work.
Reliance on public chargers can be a problem: although the infrastructure is improving, having to spend time at a public charging point will eat into your working day. You also need to factor in the possible queues and faulty charging points. It’s more expensive to charge at a public charging point as well.
Less choice: according to Zapmap figures, there are 60,000 electric vans in the UK, but there is still a greater choice of diesel vans, especially on the second-hand market.
Lower maximum payload: some electric vans offer a slightly lower payload due to the weight of the battery pack, although this isn’t likely to be a problem in small and medium vans.
Electric range: while it’s true that the range of a diesel van is limited to the amount of miles you can squeeze out of a tank of fuel, you need to consider the distance you can travel on a single charge. Figures suggest that the range will drop by 14 per cent when fully loaded, while towing will reduce an electric van’s range by 23-31 per cent.
How far can electric vans travel on a single charge?
The table below shows the official range of selected electric vans that are currently on sale:
Citroen e-Berlingo Van
Up to 171 miles
Fiat E-Ducato
Up to 260 miles
Ford E-Transit
Up to 196 miles
LEVC VN5
Up to 304 miles
Maxus eDeliver 9
146 miles
Mercedes-Benz eCitan
Up to 176 miles
Mercedes-Benz eVito
Up to 164 miles
Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
277 miles
Nissan Townstar EV
Up to 183 miles
Peugeot e-Boxer Panel Van
Up to 261 miles
Peugeot e-Partner
171 miles
Renault Kangoo E-Tech
Up to 186 miles
Renault Master E-Tech
Up to 115 miles
Toyota Proace City Electric
Up to 205 miles
Vauxhall Combo Electric
Up to 222 miles
Vauxhall Vivaro Electric
Up to 230 miles
Figures are based on the official WLTP combined test and will vary according to battery size.
The short answer to this question is ‘yes’ – you can jump-start an electric car. However, the chances of you ever needing to do so are slim.
A lot of people are unaware that the vast majority of electric cars have two batteries: a large lithium-ion battery for powering the electric motor (or motors), and a traditional 12-volt battery that is used for sending power to the accessories. These lead-acid batteries are also found in traditional petrol and diesel cars.
They work in much the same way, too: kick-starting the electric motor into action and powering systems like the climate control, central locking, infotainment system, lights, windscreen wipers and instrument panel. Crucially, they also deliver the power that facilitates the charging of the lithium-ion battery. In other words, they’re an essential part of an electric vehicle.
Preventing a flat battery
Regular use and long trips will keep the 12-volt battery in good condition. It’s likely to lose charge after two to three weeks of inactivity, although Vauxhall says there will be sufficient energy remaining even after six weeks at a standstill.
It’s important to remember that short journeys with lots of the accessories in use will put a strain on any car’s 12-volt battery, though.
In February 2024, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFL) warned fleet managers that the 12-volt battery on electric vans may unexpectedly go flat, leaving them unable to start their vehicle. A month later, Start Rescue said electric car owners should ‘look after the 12-volt battery to avoid one of the most common causes of call-outs’.
How to jump-start an electric car
If you’ve ever jump-started a petrol or diesel car, you’ll be familiar with the search for a pair of jump leads. You’ll also need to locate the electric car’s 12-volt battery, which is likely to be under the bonnet or in the boot. Check the car’s handbook if you are struggling to locate it.
Do not jump-start your car using another electric vehicle. You MUST use a petrol or diesel car. You should also ensure that your electric car isn’t plugged in during the jump-start process.
Connect a jump lead to the positive (+) terminal on the electric car’s 12-volt battery, then connect the other end to the positive (+) terminal on the third-party vehicle. Connect the second jump lead to the negative (-) terminal on the third-party vehicle, then the other end to the grounded bodywork of the electric car. Start the third-party vehicle, then put the electric car into its ‘ready’ position. Once the electric car has started, disconnect the cables in the reverse order.
Keep the electric car switched on for around 15 minutes or complete a journey of a similar length. Note: you can also use a battery booster pack by following the instructions on the box or booklet.
Indeed, if you intend to leave your electric car idle for prolonged periods, you could consider a trickle charger, which will prevent the 12-volt battery from going flat. As you’ll see from this list, most car manufacturers recommend the use of a trickle charger.
So far in 2024, electric cars have accounted for around 15 percent of vehicle registrations in the UK. And with the forthcoming ban on the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars from 2035, it’s clear that EVs will soon become the default choice for car buyers.
This is great news for local air quality and the environment. What isn’t so great, however, is the potential for a huge mountain of used electric car batteries once they have reached the end of their serviceable lives. A battery is expected to last around 10 years before it needs to be replaced.
Fortunately, electric car batteries CAN be recycled. Indeed, car companies are investing millions in the reuse and recycling of these components.
‘Battery waste mountain’
A study by the University of Birmingham said ‘recycling technologies for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries are not keeping pace with the rapid rise of electric vehicles’, with researchers warning that ‘the UK needs to act to prevent an electric vehicle battery waste mountain’.
It calculated that the one million electric cars will create a staggering 250,000 tonnes, or half a million cubic metres, of unprocessed pack waste when they reach the end of their lives.
The consultancy Circular Energy Storage estimates that more than 1.2 million tonnes of waste lithium-ion batteries will be recycled worldwide by 2030. One existing facility is the Fortum recycling plant in Finland, which aims to recover more than 80 percent of the materials from lithium-ion batteries.
“By recycling valuable materials in lithium-ion batteries, we reduce the environmental impact of electric car batteries by complementing the supply of cobalt, nickel and other critical metals from primary sources,” said Tero Hollander of Fortnum Recycling and Waste.
A second life for electric car batteries
There are many examples of electric car batteries being given a second life when they are no longer suitable for their original purpose. Second-life batteries are removed from the car, unpacked, graded and repurposed.
For instance, the battery pack in a previous generation Volkswagen e-Golf can store as much energy as a typical household consumes in one day. And 280 used Nissan Leaf batteries were used to provide back-up power to the Amsterdam Arena – home of Ajax football club.
The car manufacturers are getting involved on a larger scale, too. Volkswagen has already used the battery packs from its electric vehicles in a network of portable charging stations. Each station can charge up to four vehicles at a time.
EV batteries at the end of their second life
In many ways, the second life is simply delaying the inevitable: at some point an electric car battery will need to be recycled. Volkswagen eventually wants to recycle 97 percent of the raw materials in its battery packs.
This is important, as battery production puts a strain on the world’s natural resources. For example, cobalt is a critical material, but there are social, ethical and environmental concerns in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where much of the cobalt for EV batteries is mined.
In Salar de Atacama – a major centre of lithium production – 65 percent of the region’s water is consumed by mining activities, affecting the local farmers.
The challenge, not to mention the endgame, is to close the loop of electric car battery production. Rather than recycling the materials for other uses, the best scenario would be for them to be retained for a new battery.
Tesla board member JB Straubel said the company is “developing more processes on how to improve battery recycling to get more of the active materials back. Ultimately, what we want is a closed loop that reuses the same recycled materials.”
The American company has a battery recycling facility in Nevada where lithium, cobalt, copper and steel are recovered and reused in the production of new electric car batteries.
Under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, an electric car manufacturer is obliged to take back a battery for recycling. If your EV is reaching the end of its life, you can contact the relevant car company for more details.
