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What is Plug & Charge for electric cars?

Plug and Charge

Plug & Charge simplifies the process of charging an electric car by removing the need to use an RFID card, smartphone app or contactless payment. The name couldn’t be more appropriate: you simply plug in and charge.

Of course, you need to set up the service in the first place, so what do you need to know about this next-generation method of charging? Read on to discover more about Plug & Charge and why it could represent the future for electric car owners.

What is Plug & Charge?

Plug & Charge is an advanced solution for hassle-free electric car charging. As soon as the charging cable is inserted in the port, the vehicle is automatically identified at the charging station and authorised for charging.

Because the car stores your payment details like a digital wallet, a charging card or app is no longer required.

If you looked at Tesla owners’ access to the Supercharger network with envious eyes, the rollout of Plug & Charge will be music to your ears, because it works in a similar way.

How does Plug & Charge work?

Plug and Charge

Plug & Charge operates in accordance with ISO 15118, the international standard for charging EVs, to provide a secure, certificate-based authentication process. When you plug in at a public charging station, the session is read directly from the car and starts after successful authentication. Billing is also automated, so there is no need to worry about paying for the session.

There were concerns that adding credit card readers to public chargers would make them vulnerable to hacking and fraud. However, the Plug & Charge solution should alleviate such concerns.

As outlined by the Electroverse website, Plug & Charge will only work once two requirements are met. These are:

  • The electric car must be compatible with Plug & Charge and have a Plug & Charge certificate installed
  • The charge point must have Plug & Charge capability implemented

If these are met, an encrypted connection is established. During this ‘handshake’ – also known as a TLS (Transport Layer Security) – the car will check the charge point’s certificates to inspect its legitimacy. If verified, the charging process will start automatically.

All of this happens invisibly in about 10-15 seconds.

Which electric vehicles support Plug & Charge?

To work with Plug & Charge, the electric car must usually have been built since July 2022 and have a compatible software update. However, some manufacturers have said that they will deliver updates to enable backward compatibility for older EVs. For example, Genesis says it is planning an install an update to offer Plug & Charge to existing GV60, GV70 and G80 owners.

Dr Susanne Koblitz, head of charging tech at Ionity, said most electric cars built after 2017 have the potential to include Plug & Charge technology.

At the time of writing, the list of Plug & Charge-compatible cars includes:

  • Audi Q4 e-tron
  • Audi Q8/SQ8 e-tron
  • Cupra Born
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E
  • Genesis GV70 (2024 model year)
  • Genesis G80 (2024 model year)
  • Mercedes-Benz EQA
  • Mercedes-Benz EQB
  • Mercedes-Benz EQE
  • Mercedes-Benz EQS
  • Porsche Taycan
  • Skoda Enyaq
  • Volkswagen ID.3
  • Volkswagen ID.4
  • Volkswagen ID.5
  • Volkswagen ID. Buzz
  • Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo

The list is expanding, with BMW recently announcing that Plug & Charge will be available in its electric cars. If in doubt, check with the vehicle manufacturer or consult your local dealer.

Can I use Plug & Charge at every charging station?

Plug and Charge

In the UK, only Ionity charge points (pictured above) currently support the Plug & Charge standard. Click here for a map of Ionity chargers in the UK and across Europe.

There are other options if you take your electric car abroad, however, including Shell, Aral Pulse, Fastned, Enol, EON, Iberdrola and Eviny.

Is there a cost for Plug & Charge?

The Plug & Charge service is free and you will incur no additional costs, other than the actual fee for charging your car.

How to install Plug & Charge

If your vehicle is Plug & Charge compatible, you have to register it first via the Electroverse website. There are several steps to take, but you will need the car’s registration number and VIN number – usually stamped at the base of the windscreen – to create a PCID (Provisioning Certificate ID).

Once this is confirmed, the manufacturer in question will create a Plug & Charge certificate. This protects the vehicle and the user’s data during the Plug & Charge process.

Volkswagen says that Plug & Charge will eventually make carrying around EV charging cards a thing of the past. Time will tell if this forecast is accurate.

Click here to get started if you think you have an eligible vehicle.

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Does an electric car need to pass an MOT test?

MG electric cars

Like any car registered in the UK, an EV must pass an MOT once it reaches three years old. From then onwards, it’s subject to the same annual test as a petrol or diesel vehicle.

OK, so the test isn’t exactly the same. For a start, an electric car doesn’t need to pass an exhaust emissions test, because it produces no localised carbon dioxide (CO2). An EV won’t trouble the noise test’s decibel meter either, so that’s another thing you needn’t worry about.

Unfortunately, despite this simpler test, there’s no price reduction for an electric car – so you’ll be charged anything up to the maximum fee of £54.85 for an MOT test. Some garages offer cheaper rates, however, particularly if the test is booked as part of an annual service.

Only test centres showing the official blue sign with three white triangles can carry out an MOT. You should contact your local test centre directly to book in advance.

According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), around 40 percent of cars fail the MOT at the first attempt. However, around half of all faults could have been avoided by carrying out some basic pre-MOT checks.

What is checked during an electric car MOT?

BMW i3 electric car and mechanic

A full list of the areas examined during the MOT can be found on the Gov.UK website. Spending an hour or so checking through these items soon before your car is tested could save you time and money overall.

For example, it’s easy to check the operation of the lights, wipers and horn; the condition of the mirrors and number plates; and measure the tyre tread depth. You might need the help of a friend to test the rear lights, (including brake and reversing lights), but most other items should be straightforward.

Just don’t leave everything until the night before the test is booked, in case you need to order new parts.

A surprising 30 percent of faults found during the MOT test relate to lighting and indicators. And 10 percent of all MOT failures are down to tyres, so make sure the rubber is undamaged and has a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm (preferably at least 3mm).

Visit the Gov.UK website for more information on getting an MOT test for an electric vehicle.

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What happens to old electric car batteries?

Electric car batteries

Three questions dominate the discourse when it comes to electric car batteries: how much range do they offer, how long will they last, and what happens to them when they are replaced? We answer the first point here and the second one here. In this guide, we focus on what happens to old electric car batteries.

So, what use is that hefty block of lithium-ion cells when it no longer offers enough useful range in an electric car? Plenty of use, actually…

A second life for EV batteries

There are genuine opportunities to make use of batteries that have had their day powering an EV.

By this stage, perhaps a decade down the line, their capacity may be depleted by 30 percent. As a result, loss of range can become an issue, forcing EV owners to charge more often – possibly away from the convenience of home.

Lexus UX 300e battery warranty

In a less demanding environment than inside a car, however, these batteries still offer plenty of potential. For example, they could store the energy produced by domestic solar panels during the daytime, allowing it to be used at night (perhaps even to recharge an electric car).

That idea works equally well in a house as a commercial building or hospital. It seems like a great solution, encompassing both recycling and storage of electrical energy. But it will take work to implement on a grand scale.

Batteries from electric cars vary in their design and chemistry, so considerable effort is required to refurbish them before they can be used for power storage.

Most car manufacturers have established links with companies that can move this idea forward. It’s likely you will find that all Audi electric car batteries go to one source, Renault EV batteries to another, and so on.

Then there’s the familiar issue with the falling cost of technology. New batteries will get cheaper and the cost difference between new and used will diminish. If new batteries reach a point where there is no financial advantage to using a recycled battery with diminished capacity, reusing old batteries won’t be cost-effective.

How often do people pay to repair an old fridge-freezer, for example, rather than simply buying a new one?

2020 Charging Network Rankings

The story is even more complex than this, including an estimate that, by 2030, we could have all the electric storage capacity we are likely to need. So what happens to old batteries then?

Recycling is not your problem…

Way back in 2006, an EU directive mandated that at least 50 percent of the materials in used batteries had to be recycled, and that battery manufacturers were responsible for carrying this out. This same burden also falls upon the makers of electric cars.

Recycling EV batteries is a complicated and expensive process. Even so, the reuse of cobalt, lithium and other materials – not least for new car batteries – makes much sense. With the whole world now aware of the importance of conserving natural resources, recycling has become second nature to most of us.

If you want to learn more about the processes involved in recycling batteries, this article on the Renault Group website is an interesting read.

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How many years will the batteries last in an electric car?

Electrogenic Porsche 911

At some point, the batteries that power an electric car will need to be replaced. However, if you’ve just bought a new EV, this really isn’t something to worry about.

All electric car batteries lose capacity over time. It could be as little as two percent per year, but the rate of decline depends partly on how you drive and charge the car.

In this article, we look at some of the points to consider when it comes to EV battery life.

EV battery warranties

Volkswagen ID3 battery pack

Let’s start by looking at manufacturer warranties. For example, the battery in a Tesla Model S or Model X is warrantied for eight years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. The company guarantees a minimum 70 percent retention of capacity over the warranty period.

You get the same eight-year and 70 percent warranty in the smaller Tesla Model 3, but the mileage restriction is 100,000 in standard models, or 120,000 miles in the Long Range and Performance variants.

The batteries in the Vauxhall Corsa-e and Peugeot e-208 are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, while the warranty for the Nissan Leaf ranges from five years/60,000 miles to eight years/100,000 miles, depending on the model.

When estimating battery life, these warranties are a good place to start. If a manufacturer is prepared to warrant an EV battery for 100,000 miles, that should see most drivers covered for around a decade.

How does an EV battery degrade?

Marks and Spencer BP Pulse

A number of factors determine the rate at which an electric car’s battery will lose its capacity. For a start, the simple act of recharging and discharging will eat away at battery life, albeit at a slow and barely noticeable rate.

Some other factors will take larger bites out of battery capacity. These include:

  • Use at high temperatures
  • Recharging the battery from flat
  • Consistent use of rapid chargers
  • Overcharging the battery
  • High discharging (i.e. fast acceleration and high speeds)

To preserve the life of your car’s battery, try to keep its charge level between 50 percent and 80 percent, using an overnight top-up when possible.

Maintaining EV battery life

Nissan Hyper Tourer

American website Electrek used fleet car data to analyse EV battery health. The findings of its research can be summarised as follows:

  • Most electric car batteries will outlast the life of the vehicle.
  • The average decline in energy storage is 2.3 percent a year.
  • The biggest losses occur in the first few years, then the rate of decline slows.
  • The use of rapid chargers speeds up the process of degradation.
  • Liquid-cooled batteries perform better. For example, the Tesla Model S (liquid cooling) declines at a rate of 2.3 percent a year. Meanwhile, the old Nissan Leaf (air cooling) drops by 4.2 percent a year.
  • Higher vehicle use does not equate to higher battery degradation.

In reality, the life of the battery shouldn’t be a major concern unless you’re buying an older, second-hand electric car.

Driven sensibly and charged sympathetically, there’s no reason why a battery pack won’t see you – and indeed the car’s next owner – through to a six-figure mileage and beyond. In other words, an EV could last you just as long as an equivalent petrol or diesel car.

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What is an electric car and how do they work?

Tesla electric cars

Electric cars are the future, or certainly a major part of it. However, they are also nothing new. The first EVs hit the roads in the late 19th century, around the time of the earliest combustion cars.

Motoring Electric readers of a certain age may also remember the evocative sound of electric milk floats delivering bottles each morning.

Without resorting to a full history lesson (or a diversion into milk floats), petrol and diesel cars essentially dominated the market throughout the 20th century. Electric vehicles simply didn’t have the range, price or flexibility to make them worthy alternatives to a conventional car.

Times are changing, though, driven by the UK government’s commitment to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035. In September 2023, pure electric cars had a 16.6 percent share of the UK market. That compares to 38.7 percent for petrol and just 3.6 percent for diesel (both figures exclude hybrids).

In this article, we’ll explain the basics of electric cars in simple terms.

What is an electric car?

Honda e

Electric car, electric vehicle (EV), battery electric vehicle (BEV), all-electric car, pure electric car – there are many names, but they all fundamentally mean the same thing. The one difference is that ‘EV’ and ‘BEV’ could also be used to describe an electric van, bus or truck.

An electric car features a large battery pack that sends power to an electric motor. This drives the front, rear or all four wheels, depending on the configuration.

Batteries are measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy – the larger the battery capacity, the greater the car’s electric range. A standard Nissan Leaf, for example, features a 40kWh battery, which is good for up to 168 miles. Meanwhile, the 62kWh version can deliver up to 239 miles.

In most cases, the electric version of a car looks almost identical to its petrol or diesel equivalent. Examples of this include the Peugeot e-208, Vauxhall Corsa-e, Kia e-Niro and Mini Electric.

Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo

Others EVs are easier to spot. Take the Honda e, which was developed from the ground up as an electric car. It’s a similar story with all Tesla models, the Jaguar I-Pace and the Porsche Taycan.

The basics of an electric car will be familiar to anyone who has driven a conventional vehicle. There are four wheels, up to seven seats, space for your luggage and a normal steering wheel (experimental Tesla yoke notwithstanding). The key difference is you don’t need to fill it up with fuel. Instead, an electric car needs to be recharged.

Charging at home can be done via a domestic socket or a dedicated wallbox. Typically, an overnight charge will provide between 100 and 300 miles of electric range, depending on the vehicle in question.

Alternatively, you can charge the battery via the network of public chargers. Depending on the car, you could potentially ‘refuel’ to 80 percent capacity in just 20 minutes.

What else do I need to know about electric cars?

What is an electric car

We explore the ins and outs of running an electric car in separate articles on Motoring Electric. For example, we look at how to charge an electric car, how to drive one and the things you need to consider before venturing down electric avenue.

For now, it’s worth noting that an electric car is very different to a hybrid. A plug-in hybrid will provide a limited amount of electric range before the petrol or diesel engine takes over. In a standard hybrid (also known as a ‘self-charging hybrid’), the electric motor is there to improve efficiency, rather than provide any electric range.

An electric car obviously has no internal combustion engine (ICE). They are 100 percent electric, which also means they deliver zero emissions while driving. They are also cheaper to tax and arguably better for your conscience.

It’s time to stop viewing the electric car as an unconventional or niche choice. As we approach the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2035, EVs will become the norm.

We might even find they are the only accepted type of vehicle in our cities, many of which are already placing restrictions on the use of conventional cars.

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What are the differences between plug-in hybrid and regular hybrid cars?

Volkswagen Touareg plug-in hybrid

One answer to this question is self-evident: plug-in hybrids can be plugged in to charge their batteries, whereas ordinary hybrid cars cannot. However, plug-in hybrids are more expensive to buy.

Consider the evidence. At the time of writing, the Kia Sportage hybrid will set you back £35,445 in GT-Line spec, while the plug-in hybrid version costs £40,545. There are good reasons for the price difference, which we’ll come to in a moment.

Before we begin, a note about the ‘self-charging hybrid’ term you may have seen used by Toyota, Lexus and Kia. It’s little more than a marketing tool to elevate a standard hybrid to a higher plain – there are no technical differences.

What is a hybrid?

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

In simple terms, a hybrid car combines a petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor. The most famous hybrid car in the world is the Toyota Prius, to the extent that it’s become the brand generic. Ironically, the latest version of the Prius won’t be sold in the UK.

In a hybrid vehicle, the internal combustion engine remains the dominant powertrain, with the electric motor on hand to improve efficiency, decrease fuel consumption and improve acceleration.

Hybrids are great in the city, where their regenerative braking captures kinetic energy, which is then used to recharge the batteries. Conversely, hybrids are less impressive on motorways, where there’s little opportunity to harvest lost energy.

They cannot be plugged in, so you’ll only see a mile or two of pure electric range. On the flipside, the car manages the flow of energy, so there’s a hassle-free attraction to running a hybrid vehicle. Go easy on the accelerator pedal and you could see some truly impressive fuel economy figures, particularly around town.

What is a plug-in hybrid?

What is a plug-in hybrid

As the name suggests, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can be recharged in the same way you’d recharge an electric car. The key difference is that the electric motor is paired with a petrol or diesel engine, removing any concerns over ‘range anxiety’.

There’s more, though. A plug-in hybrid boasts a larger battery pack and more sophisticated hardware and software than a standard hybrid, which helps explain the higher price.

Crucially, plug-in hybrids deliver a useful amount of pure electric range – certainly more than the 10-mile average daily commute in England and Wales. For example, the Kia Sportage PHEV we mentioned earlier delivers an official (WLTP) range of 43 miles.

Hybrid or PHEV: which one is better?

There’s no doubt that a hybrid is an appealing prospect. The key attraction is their ability to work straight away – there’s no need to worry about charging cables or plugging in. Modern petrol-electric hybrids are especially impressive, with the Toyota Corolla, for example, offering the smooth refinement of a petrol car with the economy of a diesel.

We’d also urge caution before buying a plug-in hybrid. If you don’t recharge the batteries, you’re essentially paying extra for a heavier and less efficient vehicle. The weighty battery pack will put a big dent in the economy when you’re not in electric mode.

Beyond that, a plug-in hybrid offers more than a regular hybrid. The ability to tackle the daily commute on electric power is an obvious attraction – you could find you rarely need to visit a petrol station.

Kia Sportage PHEV

There are also tax benefits associated with a plug-in hybrid. A Sportage hybrid emits 129g/km CO2, which results in a first-year VED (road tax) rate of £200. Meanwhile, thanks to CO2 emissions of 25g/km, the plug-in hybrid is tax-free in the first year.

Company car drivers will see similar tax benefits, which is why plug-in hybrids are so popular in the fleet sector.

We’d also recommend a plug-in hybrid as a step towards an all-electric future. There are no range anxiety issues, plus you get the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the process of charging the batteries.

The next step would be a pure electric car, so browse the pages of Motoring Electric to discover more.

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How likely are electric cars to run out of battery charge?

AA EV Survey Results

Nearly all British drivers overestimated the number of breakdowns caused by electric vehicles running out of charge. 

A staggering 99 percent of the drivers surveyed by the AA incorrectly estimated how often EVs suffer from a flat battery.

Such misconceptions undoubtedly contribute to ‘range anxiety’: the fear of running out of battery charge. However, the reality of owning an electric car, certainly if you have off-street parking with a charger at home, is much less stressful.

Not an EV problem

SEAT Mii EV

The AA poll asked more than 14,500 drivers how often they thought electric cars needed to be rescued after running out of charge.

On average, respondents believed 65 percent of EV breakdowns were caused by the drive battery having no power left. 

In reality, in a sample of 13,000 electric vehicle breakdowns attended by the AA, less than four percent were due to the driving battery being flat. 

Problems with tyres and the conventional 12-volt battery, used for starting and powering the car’s ancillaries, such as headlights or the infotainment, were actually the top two reasons for EV breakdown callouts. Interestingly, the same is true for cars powered by petrol or diesel engines.

Going the extra mile

AA EV Survey Results

In 2021, the AA also asked drivers to estimate the average range of a fully charged electric car. An average range of 200 miles was identified by a quarter (25 percent) of respondents. Only six percent believed that EV range averages 100 miles.

Such figures tally with a separate survey undertaken by Ford to assess attitudes towards the 2035 ban on combustion cars. The Go Electric report found 25 percent of those asked believed electric cars could travel 151 to 200 miles when fully charged. 

Ford subsequently set three Guinness World Records with the electric Mustang Mach-E (pictured above), covering the equivalent of more than 500 miles on a single charge.

Ready to make the switch

Gridserve 360kW EV Charger

AA president Edmund King OBE commented: “As we fast approach the 2030 [now 2035] ban on new petrol and diesel sales, more drivers are thinking about electric cars.

“However, there are still concerns about the existing charging infrastructure and single charge range. Likewise, most drivers totally overestimate the percentage of breakdowns due to running out of charge.

“As more charge points, especially rapid chargers, are installed across the country, the number of cars failing to reach one will further reduce, providing more confidence to drivers to help them make the switch.”

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How do you drive an electric car?

Kia EV6

If you know how to drive an automatic car, you can drive an EV. It’s as simple as that. Granted, there are a few differences, but you needn’t fear getting behind the wheel of an electric car for the first time.

Apart from a green flash on the number plates, most EVs look similar to petrol or diesel cars. The controls are much the same, too.

You may have to adjust your driving style a little – and charging will become part of your daily or weekly routine – but you could find you prefer driving an electric car. Few EV owners go back to a combustion car.

Here are a few things to bear in mind before you get behind the wheel.

Enjoy the silence

You know when a petrol or diesel car is ready to go because you have turned a key or pressed a start button. There’s also the familiar sound and vibration of an engine to let you know the car is running.

In an electric car, you engage drive mode, but the only real sense that the car is ready comes from a light on the dashboard. EVs are much quieter on the move, too.

At first, this lack of noise can seem disconcerting, but it soon becomes a familiar – and indeed welcome – part of driving an electric car.

Get up and go

Fiat 500 Electric

In an electric car, 100 percent of the torque (pulling power) is available from the moment you touch the accelerator pedal. This means some electric cars can race to 30mph quicker than a supercar, although most will lose this advantage beyond 40mph.

The instant torque means that electric cars are great fun to drive in the city, but you might need time to get used to the sharper throttle response. It’s also worth bearing in mind that too many Grand Prix starts will leave a dent in your projected driving range.

Putting the brakes on

In a separate article on Motoring Electric, we explored the pros and cons of regenerative braking. For the benefit of this piece, it’s worth remembering that an EV’s brakes will feel different to those of a standard car.

The degree of difference will depend on the car’s regenerative braking system – or your preferred settings. However, brakes are one of the key differences between an electric car and a conventional one.

Remember, regenerative braking can preserve and increase your electric range. It can also make driving easier by allowing you to brake less often. Use it where possible.

Automatic for the people

Hyundai Kona Electric centre console

The majority of electric cars have a single-speed transmission. From a technical perspective, this means there are fewer moving parts and potentially lower servicing costs.

As a driver, you’ll experience smooth and linear acceleration, with no clutch pedal and no need to shift gears. As a result, an electric car feels more refined and easier to drive.

Drive sensibly

You already know that driving fast, being hard on the brakes and flooring the throttle can negatively impact the fuel economy of a combustion car. The same is true of an electric one.

We suggest a steady approach, reading the road ahead and taking it easy on the accelerator pedal. You don’t need to drive slowly, but careful and considered progress will be rewarded with a longer range – and less time and money spent on charging.

Keep cool or beat the heat

Volkswagen ID Buzz

Preconditioning allows you to pre-heat or pre-cool the electric car’s cabin before you set off. Not only will you feel more comfortable, you’ll be maximising the car’s range and preserving the life of its battery.

It works by heating or cooling the cabin and battery to optimum temperature before you go. Because energy is drawn from the mains, there’s no impact how far you can travel. Your car will start the journey with a full battery. You can read more about EV preconditioning here.

In summary…

Aside from the points mentioned above – and some subtle differences between certain makes and models – driving an EV is no more challenging than getting behind the wheel of a traditional car. In some ways, it’s actually easier.

You will enjoy the near-silent driving experience, the smooth and quiet electric motor and the lower running costs. Just remember to keep charging those batteries.

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Can an EV be your everyday car? The questions to consider first

Can an electric car be your everyday car

In the early 2000s, it would have been difficult to consider an EV as your everyday car. They were too expensive to buy, offered a limited driving range, and the charging network was too small to make them a realistic prospect.

Matters began to improve when the Nissan Leaf arrived in 2010, and EV uptake has only accelerated since. In August 2023, more than 20 percent of new cars sold in the UK were fully electric – and Tesla had two vehicles (the Model Y and Model 3) inside the top 10 best-sellers.

The availability of better and more affordable EVs, along with the rapid growth of the charging network, means the answer to our original question is ‘yes’ – an electric car can indeed be your everyday car.

Nonetheless, there are several important questions you need to ask yourself first…

How long is your daily commute?

How long is my daily commute

The average round-trip commute in the UK is around 21 miles. Even an electric car with the most miserly range estimate will be able to cover that. You don’t even need a longer-range EV, such as a Porsche Taycan, to tackle a longer daily commute.

For example, the Kia Niro EV offers 285 miles of electric range, which might be enough for an entire week of commuting. At the time of writing, it costs £37,295 in entry-level ‘2’ specification.

If you live in a city, you could find the latest breed of smaller and more affordable EVs work for you. A Fiat 500 Electric, for example, costs around £28,000 and offers a range of 200 miles.

Do you have off-street parking at home?

Do I have off-street parking

Without access to a driveway or garage at home, charging your electric car could be an issue. Although you can lobby your local authority to install chargers on your street, home charging is more convenient and cheaper.

Trailing a charging cable across a pavement is unwise and unlawful. As the Highways Act 1980 states, unless you can prove that you have taken all necessary means to give adequate warning of the danger, you’re committing an offence. It just isn’t worth the risk.

Lamp post charging is an option – and connected kerbs are coming – but for now, home charging is the answer. Or maybe it isn’t…

If you have access to a charger at work, you could charge your car there. That way you’d have full batteries for the journey home and your morning commute. Just make sure you are guaranteed access to the charger, or you could be set for an unplanned night shift.

Do you live in a city?

Do I live in a city

If you spend most of your time in a city, an electric car is fast becoming the best choice of vehicle. Indeed, it won’t be long before some cities make them the only choice.

Right now, electric cars are exempt from paying the London Congestion Charge – and they will be until 2025 at the earliest. The introduction of Clean Air Zones across the UK will also work in favour of electric cars.

Run an electric car in Westminster and you’ll receive discounted parking, free parking while charging and a parking permit for local residents. Other towns and cities are likely to introduce similar incentives.

So, can you drive an EV every day?

Buying an electric car

If you spend your time pounding the UK’s motorways, covering 200 to 300 miles a day, an electric car probably isn’t for you. We’d recommend a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid if you want to embrace electrification.

For most other people, an EV is a realistic everyday car. Things get a little trickier if you have to rely on the public charging network – there are different connectors, companies and payment options to consider. It’s also more expensive to charge away from home.

Browse the pages of Motoring Electric and you’ll learn more about running an electric car. Time to rethink your daily commute?

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How accurate is the official range of electric cars?

Tesla Model 3 range

Range is a key consideration 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 should expect to achieve. However, there are a number of factors that can eat away at those quoted miles.

Before we explore the many variables, it’s worth a brief look at how the range of electric cars is calculated. 

The WLTP 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 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.

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

You can expect to achieve anywhere between 100 and 450 miles from a single charge, depending on the electric car you own. For example, a Seat Mii Electric offers a claimed 160 miles of electric range, 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 smartphone and enjoying a heated seat will 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 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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