Home Blog Page 7

Should you think twice before buying a used electric car?

Downsides of used electric cars

If you want a used electric car, there has never been a better time to buy one. The vast increase in sales seen in recent years means there is now a huge selection of second-hand EVs to choose from.

At the time of writing, there are around 13,600 electric cars for sale on Auto Trader, with prices starting from around £3,000. So, what are the downsides of opting for a used EV rather than a new one?

Reduced electric range

An electric car’s battery will typically lose around two percent of its capacity every year. This might not seem like much, but after a decade it could be the equivalent of 30 miles of range, depending on the car in question.

Although battery packs can be refurbished – or replaced at great expense – you’ll have to factor this into the cost of the car. It may be that upgrading to a newer EV makes financial sense.

Old technology

Citroen C-Zero

Even without taking diminished battery performance into account, a new electric car is likely to offer more miles per charge. At the bottom end of the market, you’re looking at the likes of the Mitsubishi i-MIEV, Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot Ion – cars that could only muster around 93 miles of range when new.

Meanwhile the Nissan Leaf – which accounts for nearly 10 percent of all electric cars for sale on Auto Trader – offers anything between 109 and 239 miles of range, depending on the age and specification of the car.

Today, the £37,295 Kia Niro EV offers an official range of 285 miles. Although you might not achieve this figure in everyday use, it shows how far the technology has improved. A range of between 200 and 300 miles has become the norm.

It’s not just the battery pack, either. Manufacturers have also developed and improved the electric motors, cooling, charging, connectivity and driving experience. This means an older electric car will feel its age more than a conventional petrol or diesel vehicle.

Heavy depreciation

Renault Fluence

New cars start to lose money the moment you drive away from the showroom. Depreciation is particularly heavy in the first year, but any car will continue to shed value until the point at which it becomes a classic – which could be a long way off.

Great news if you’re in the market for a used electric car, then? Not necessarily, because unless you’re buying a really old EV at the bottom end of the market, the car’s value could continue to drop at an alarming rate.

There are a couple of caveats. First, the depreciation curve is steepest in the first three years, so there are lower risks associated with buying an EV from this point onwards.

Second, depreciation affects all new cars, so it would be wrong to single out electric vehicles. Besides, as electric cars grow in popularity – and the decline of petrol and diesel continues – the rate at which they lose their value could start to slow.

Are the batteries included?

Renault Zoe

This is something to be wary of when buying an early electric car. Some models, most notably the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf, were sold without the battery pack included in the price of the car.

Instead, the original owner selected to lease the battery from the manufacturer, with the price varying according to the length of the agreement and the number of miles covered within a 12-month period.

Nissan and Renault have abandoned the leasing model, but many older examples of the Leaf and Zoe are available without the battery pack included. Indeed, battery leasing accounted for 60 percent of all Renault Zoe sales from 2014 to 2019.

Go Green Autos offers battery rentals for the Zoe 22kWh from £49 a month for 4,500 miles a year, to £99 a year for upwards of 12,000 miles. Costs for the Nissan Leaf range from £70 to £129 a month.

It’s worth noting that electric cars with the cost of a battery pack included tend to be around £5,000 more expensive than those without. Do some sums – it could work out cheaper for you to lease the batteries. And you won’t have to worry about diminishing performance, of course.

No new-car warranty

The length of warranty varies depending on the make, model and age of the vehicle. Many of the premium brands offer three years or 60,000 miles, but a new Kia is covered for seven years or 100,000 miles. Regardless of the age of the car, you’ll enjoy less time before the battery and vehicle warranty expire. And in the case of some older cars, the warranty may have run out.

New electric cars also used to benefit from the government’s plug-in car grant, which reduced the cost of buying one. However, this has now been abandoned.

Worn components

Renault Zoe charging

Although an electric car has fewer moving parts, the weight of the battery pack puts a strain on the suspension, steering, brakes and tyres. All these need to be examined when viewing a used electric car – and are unlikely to be covered by a warranty.

Aside from the above, the usual considerations apply. Do you have access to a charger at home? Can you live with the official range (likely to be 30 percent lower in real-world driving, even with a brand new EV – and lower still in cold weather)? And perhaps most importantly, can you afford the monthly payments?

If the answer to these questions is ‘yes’ – and you’ve taken our advice into account – there should be nothing to worry about when buying a used electric car.

ALSO READ:

What are green number plates and which cars can use them?

Which type of electric car is best for me?

Can I own an electric car if I don’t have a parking space?

How to use Google Maps to locate electric car chargers

Electric car sign

For electric car drivers, one of the most useful features of Google Maps is the ability to find EV charging points.

To locate your nearest electric car charger, look at the categories listed under the search bar and click ‘More’. Then scroll down to the Services section and select ‘Electric Vehicle Charging’.

However, just as a diesel pump is no use to a petrol car driver, some charging points don’t work for some EVs. Helpfully, Google Maps allows you to search for the specific type of charger you need. 

How to choose your EV plug type

Google Maps screenshot

It is possible to go a step further, too. When searching for chargers on Google Maps, you can add the plug your vehicle needs into the preferences. 

In the ‘choose plugs’ section, six different types are covered. These are the commonplace Type 2 and Tesla points, as well as CCS combo 1 and combo 2, CHAdeMO and J1772. All electric cars should be covered by these options.

Select the plugs you need and only these will be displayed when you search for charging stations. To set your plug preferences, go to ‘Settings’, then ‘Electric vehicle settings’ and then ‘Add plugs’. It’s that simple.

Predicting your car’s remaining range

Google Maps screenshot

The result? No turning up to a charge point, only to find you can’t plug in. In addition, Google Maps can also tell you whether a charge point is currently in use.

If you have Google Maps built into your car, it can predict your remaining battery charge on arrival at the charging station – and continuously update this figure as you drive.

Other ways to find an EV charger

BMW i3

Google Maps is one of many aids to electric vehicle drivers. Services like Zap Map and Go Ultra Low have made it their mission to publicise the locations of chargers as clearly and efficiently as possible.

Just as many of us were loyal to certain fuel stations in our area, so too can EV drivers find ‘their’ charge points near home, work and beyond.

Learn where and when is best to go. With the continuing expansion of the infrastructure, ‘range anxiety’ should rapidly become a thing of the past.

ALSO READ:

What is electric car preconditioning and why should I use it?

Can I charge an electric car using a three-pin plug?

How do I get an electric car charger fitted at home?

Are electric cars really zero emissions vehicles?

Are electric cars zero emission

Can an electric car really deliver zero emissions? Many will point out that electric cars can only offer zero tailpipe emissions, although technically an EV doesn’t have a tailpipe…

In reality, it’s more complicated than that. There’s the source of the electricity to consider, along with increasing evidence that shows brakes and tyres have a negative impact on air quality and the environment.

Zero emissions at the point of use

Once charged, an electric car is, theoretically, producing no emissions. A report by scientists from the universities of Exeter, Nijmegen and Cambridge found that, in 95 percent of the world, driving an electric car is better for the environment than a conventional petrol car.

It also found that lifetime emissions from electric cars are up to 70 percent lower in countries where electricity is sourced from renewable and nuclear energy.

Power plant

This is a crucial point. If the electricity is sourced from dirty fuels, such as coal or gas, then is the electric car really producing zero emissions? Electric car owners can avoid this potential stumbling block by opting for a green energy tariff, with energy sourced from 100 percent renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

That’s not the end of the story. A report by The Guardian highlighted that ‘enormous amounts of fossil fuels’ are used to produce batteries, ‘offsetting the supposed emissions reduction’.

Once batteries are no longer up to the task of powering an electric car, they can be used for other purposes, such as storing the energy produced by solar panels to recharge another electric car. 

Alternatively, batteries can be recycled, but the ultimate aim must be to ‘close the loop’ of battery production. In other words, reusing the raw materials of old batteries in the production of new ones.

Brake and tyre dust

Electric cars are weighed down by heavy battery packs, which puts extra strain on their suspension, tyres and brakes.

According to Emissions Analytics, tyres are a major contributor to one of the biggest sources of vehicle pollutant emissions: non-exhaust sources. Dust and particulates that are emitted from tyres contribute to particulates in the air, as well as microplastics in the ocean.

Tyre pollution

The researchers said that over the course of 12,500 to 31,000 miles, a typical tyre will shed 10 to 30 percent of its tread rubber into the environment. These particles will end up by the roadside or washed into drains, and ultimately into rivers and oceans.

“On this basis we think tyres are set to be scrutinised and regulated more, and perhaps also reinvented for electric cars to perform well in durability and noise. There will be opportunities and threats that arise from these changes,” said Emissions Analytics.

Summary

Right now, electric cars offer the nearest thing to true zero emission motoring. As the European Environment Agency (EEA) pointed out in 2018, electric cars emit less greenhouse gases and air pollution over their entire life cycle than petrol and diesel cars.

Keep an electric car running for 150,000 miles or more, source your electricity from renewable sources and drive with consideration, and you’ll be doing your bit for the planet.

ALSO READ:

What are the pros and cons of an electric car?

Is a plug-in hybrid better than a fully electric car?

How do I drive an electric car with one pedal?

Can you take an electric car through a car wash?

Can you take an electric car in car wash

Back in 2019, a survey discovered nearly one in five drivers thought electric cars cannot be driven through a car wash. Attitudes have changed a lot since then, but to avoid any lingering doubts… yes, it is fine to take an EV through a car wash.

In a separate report, Hyundai addressed what it called the top 10 concerns and myths about electric cars. In at number five was the misconception that you can’t take an electric vehicle through a car wash, or drive in a lightning storm.

In response, Hyundai said: ‘Of course we’ve all been told that you don’t mix electricity with water. But when it comes to EVs, it’s perfectly safe to use a car wash and there’s no extra risk of driving in a lightning storm.’

It’s worth remembering that electric cars must meet the same strict regulations as combustion vehicles, with a tough testing regime that includes withstanding water ingress. All cars are subjected to flood levels of rain, so an EV will have no trouble coping with a car wash.

How to take an electric car through a car wash

If you’ve taken a petrol or diesel car through a car wash, you’ll be familiar with the process. The good news is that the procedure is the same for electric cars. Just make sure you have sufficient charge to avoid gliding to an embarrassing halt.

First, make sure you read the instructions that will be printed next to the car wash. It goes without saying that you should close all doors, windows and the sunroof before entering.

The door mirrors should be folded in, while on older (probably non-electric) cars, the radio aerial should be retracted or removed. Do not use an automatic car wash if your car has any loose fitting or damaged bodywork.

Once in the car wash, engage the handbrake, turn off the vehicle and make sure you have disabled the automatic windscreen wipers.

Should you take an electric car through a car wash?

At Motoring Electric, we wouldn’t recommend using an automatic car wash. The stiff brushes can be damaging to paintwork and you’ll almost certainly collect a few light scratches and swirl marks.

Our advice would be to invest in a pressure washer and do the cleaning yourself. Not only will you do a better job, you’ll also be able to spot any damage or stone chips in the process. As a bonus, you’ll be out in the fresh air. Better for you, and better for your electric car.

ALSO READ:

What are the differences between a hybrid and an electric car?

How do you drive an electric car with one pedal?

How accurate is the official range of electric cars?

Are electric cars really better for the environment?

Electric car charging

Electric cars are supposed to herald a cleaner and greener future. They’re so good for the environment, the government offers tax incentives encourage you to buy one. That’s the theory, anyway.

In reality, it’s not quite as simple as that. Some detractors point to production issues, the lifecycle of an EV battery and the source of the electricity as reasons why electric cars aren’t the eco pin-ups they first appear.

In this article, we’ll look at the evidence for and against the electric car.

What the experts say

Hardly a month goes by without the announcement of a new study into the green credentials of electric cars. One of the most credible is a 2020 report by scientists from the universities of Exeter, Nijmegen and Cambridge.

They found that in 95 percent of the world, driving an electric car is better for the climate than a conventional petrol car. The study projects that within 30 years, every second car could be electric, helping to reduce worldwide CO2 emissions by up to 1.5 gigatons per year.

It also says that average lifetime emissions from electric cars are up to 70 percent lower than petrol cars in countries such as Sweden and France, where most electricity is sourced from renewable and nuclear energy.

Wind farm next to major road

This is a crucial point. As the professor of economics Hans-Werner Sinn wrote in The Guardian, ‘Electric vehicles also emit substantial amounts of CO2, the only difference being that the exhaust is released at a remove – that is, at the power plant’.

Sinn explained this is more apparent at certain times, when ‘coal- or gas-fired power plants are needed to ensure energy supply during the “dark doldrums” when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining’.

The article goes on to say that, even when electric cars are charged using solar or wind energy, ‘enormous amounts of fossil fuels’ are used to produce batteries, ‘offsetting the supposed emissions reduction’.

In 2019, a report by Sinn and the physicist Christoph Buchal found that an electric car emits ‘a bit more CO2’ than a modern diesel car. This was supported by data published by Volkswagen.

Meanwhile, an Austrian study found that a medium-size electric car must drive 219,000 kilometres (136,000 miles) before it begins to outperform a diesel car in terms of CO2 emissions. ‘EV batteries don’t last long enough to achieve that distance in the first place,’ said Sinn.

Dr Jean-Francois Mercure at the University of Exeter isn’t convinced, arguing that the ‘last few debatable cases will soon disappear’. The University of Nijmegen’s Dr Florian Knobloch, added: ‘Even in our worst-case scenario, there would be a reduction in emissions in almost all cases’.

This is a view shared by the European Environment Agency (EEA). In a report published in 2018, it concluded that electric cars emit less greenhouse gases and air pollutants over their entire life cycle than petrol and diesel cars.

Indeed, using the current EU energy mix, the emissions of an electric car are between 17 percent and 30 percent lower than a petrol or diesel car. As the carbon intensity of the energy mix reduces, this could be cut by at least 73 percent within 30 years.

Zero tailpipe emissions

Tailpipe emissions

By the time an electric car hits the road, the bulk of its emissions have been produced. At a local level, the electric car will produce zero tailpipe emissions, which is why they are welcomed in city and town centres where air quality restrictions are in place.

There are also the added environmental benefits associated with reduced noise, both inside the car and for passing pedestrians and local residents.

Battery production

An electric car battery is expected to last around 10 years or 150,000 miles before it needs to be replaced. In an age when a well maintained petrol or diesel car could achieve a seven-figure mileage, this is a potential fly in the ointment of the electric car’s green credentials.

Battery production puts an incredible strain on the planet’s natural resources, with mining for the materials taking place in some of the poorest regions of the world. This creates social, ethical and ecological problems at a local and national level.

Although car batteries can be put to use for alternative means – not to mention recycled – the end game is to close the loop of production. In other words, reusing the raw batteries in the production of new electric car batteries will put less strain on the planet’s natural resources.

Electric cars better for environment

Other concerns

The UK government’s Air Quality Expert Group said that ‘non-exhaust emissions are recognised as a source of ambient concentrations of airborne particulate matter, even for vehicles with zero emissions of particles’.

According to Emissions Analytics, tyres are a major contributor to these non-exhaust emissions. The dust and particulates emitted from tyres serve to reduce local air quality, while the larger chunks are a significant source of microplastics in our oceans.

We also need to factor in the effects of brake and road dust, both of which are common to electric vehicles and conventional cars.

Summary

It’s clear that electric cars aren’t perfect. Work still needs to be done in the field of battery production and recycling, while question marks will remain until the production of electricity is 100 percent green.

However, the benefits in terms of local air quality, noise pollution and our reduced dependence on fossil fuels cannot be ignored. 

ALSO READ:

Which type of electric car is right for me?

What are the differences between a hybrid and an electric car?

Charging an electric car: the difference between kW and kWh

How to find your nearest Tesco EV charging point

Tesco electric car charging point

Electric car charging points are installed at more than 500 Tesco stores across the UK, thanks to a joint project between Pod Point and Volkswagen.

The result is the country’s largest retail electric car charging network. Around 10 percent of the devices in Tesco supermarket car parks are rapid chargers, too.

To start with, the 7kW fast chargers were free to use for Tesco customers. However, from 1 November 2022, this is no longer the case. The 7kW devices now cost 28p per kilowatt hour (kWh).

Tesco’s 22kW chargers cost 40p per kWh to use, while the 50kW units are the most expensive, at 50p per kWh. However, the latter offer the potential for a full charge while you do your weekly shop.

How to find your nearest Tesco EV charger

Tesco EV Charging Fees

The locations of all Tesco electric car charging points can be found by visiting the Pod Point website.

To use a Tesco EV charging point, you will need to download the Pod Point smartphone app or use the Pod Point website.

You’ll find electric charging bays at Tesco Superstore and Tesco Extra sites throughout the UK, the majority of which are 7kW fast chargers.

Tesco plans to continue expanding its electric car charging network to more than 600 locations nationwide by spring 2023.

ALSO READ:

Every little helped: Tesco to end free EV charging at supermarkets

Charging an electric car: the difference between kW and kWh

What is electric car preconditioning and why is it important?

Can I drive an electric car in the rain?

Can I drive an electric car in the rain

Will the recent heavy rain have left EV drivers stranded? Of course not, but not everybody knows that. Back in 2019, a survey discovered that 12 percent of motorists believe an electric car cannot be driven in the rain.

Today, as EVs become ever more mainstream, we’re sure that figure is much lower. Because – spoiler alert! – you definitely CAN drive an electric vehicle in the rain. As pointed out by the charity Electrical Safety First (ESF), ‘engineers have ensured that the cars are waterproof’.

The charity continued: ‘The charging stations are also waterproof, so you will be able to charge in the rain. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.’

Common sense is required, of course. You wouldn’t leave your windows or sunroof open in a conventional car, so don’t do it in an electric vehicle. Rainwater can damage interior fixtures, fittings, dials and switches.

An investigation by ESF into the charging habits of electric car drivers revealed some rather worrying results, though. Around three-quarters of drivers had used domestic multi-socket extension leads to charge from the mains in their home – despite them being unsuitable for outdoor use.

What’s more, more than half of the 1,500 respondents who charged using an extension lead had left cables running to their vehicle when it’s raining. This puts the owner at risk of an electric shock. The practice could also overload the domestic supply, causing a power cut or even a fire.

Driving an electric car through a flood

Electric car charging in the rain

When it comes to driving through the flood water, the usual rules apply. That’s to say, you should never drive through a flood. Turn around and find another route. The Environment Agency warns that just 300mm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

Not that this will give Tesla chief Elon Musk too many sleepless nights. A few years ago, the new boss of Twitter tweeted: “We *def* don’t recommend this, but Model S floats well enough to turn it into a boat for short periods of time. Thrust via wheel rotation.”

When asked whether or not the electrics are waterproof, Musk said: “Drive units and battery are sealed”.

There’s evidence to suggest that an electric car will perform better than a conventional vehicle when wading through water. For example, the Jaguar I-Pace has a wading depth of 500mm and features safety systems designed to deal with a flood situation.

A spokesperson for Jaguar told the Express: “Precautions should be taken when driving through standing water in any car. However, EVs do not have an air intake, meaning the propulsion system is not affected by being immersed in water like an engine.”

For once, then, it seems electricity and water can mix.

ALSO READ:

How to drive safely in heavy rain

What is electric car preconditioning and why does it matter?

Why are electric cars less efficient on a motorway?

Energy crisis: how will owning an electric car affect my bills?

Honda e

The soaring cost of energy is all over the news. A rise in the price cap means the average UK household is likely to pay 80 percent more for electricity and gas from October 2022. Cornwall Insight predicts a typical energy bill of £3,549 a year, rising again to £5,387 from January 2023.

For those who own an electric car, the increase in the cost of electricity will obviously hit harder. However, while the savings aren’t what they were, charging at home will still be cheaper than using public EV chargers – and cost less than refuelling a conventional car.

Factor in the substantial tax savings that come with an electric car and your running costs should still be lower overall – particularly for company car drivers.

The Energy Saving Trust says driving 200 miles in a conventional car will cost between £26 and £32 in fuel: three or four times more than the current cost of charging an electric car at home. Even if the price of electricity more than doubles, as predicted, that’s still a saving. And don’t forget the cost of petrol and diesel can rise significantly, too.

As pointed out by Electric Nation, annual electricity consumption varies widely and is influenced by battery size. In a trial, it found that average energy use for an electric car with a smaller battery (up to 25kWh) is about 1,800 to 1,900kWh per year.

For a larger battery (35kWh+), it’s about 3,500kWh. Annual household consumption (without an electric car) ranges from 1,900kWh to 4,600kWh per year, so every car charging at home is equivalent to another house.

Electric car energy tariffs

Will electric car increase domestic energy bill

Most energy companies offer tariffs designed for specifically for owners of electric cars, which supply 100 percent ‘green’ electricity (generated by wind farms, solar panels or other renewable sources).

However, many of these – including EDF Energy GoElectric, British Gas Electric Drivers and OVO Drive EV – have been temporarily withdrawn due to the volatility in the energy market.

Indeed, energy companies seem unwilling to even take on new customers. Try to sign up to OVO Drive EV and the website states: ‘We’d love to have you. But right now, it’s best for customers to stick with their current suppliers rather than switching. If you’re on a fixed tariff, it’s probably the best deal for you.’

If you are willing to swap providers, the best tariff we can find at present (September 2022) comes from Octopus Energy. The Octopus Go tariff offers ‘super-cheap’ electricity at 7.5p per kWh between 00:30 and 04:30 every night.

Alternatively, the Intelligent Octopus plan – for owners of Tesla, Jaguar and Land Rover plug-in cars – has a longer off-peak period and uses machine learning to find the best times to recharge.

Octopus also offers 5,000 free electric miles (calculated assuming an efficiency of 250kWh for every 1,000 miles) if you lease an EV via its website.

Smart energy meter

There’s no escaping the fact that you will pay more for your electricity by charging an electric car at home. However, the cost will be offset in other ways, particularly when compared with a petrol or diesel car.

Let us know about your experiences with running an EV in the comments. How much have costs increased – and how much have you saved?

ALSO READ:

What are the pros and cons of electric cars?

Is a plug-in hybrid better than an electric car?

Can you trust the official range of electric cars?

How an EVA dealer could help you choose an electric car

Electric Vehicle Approved EVA logo

Looking to buy an electric car? A scheme backed by the government makes it easier to find a dealer with a full understanding of electric vehicles.

The Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme is run by the National Franchised Dealer Association (NFDA) in association with the Energy Saving Trust (EST). You will also find the EVA badge of approval for car dealers who advertise on Auto Trader.

Dealers will be audited by the EST before they can be awarded accreditation. Matthew Eastwood, head of transport at the EST, said: “EVA accredited dealers possess the knowledge and expertise necessary to ensure their customers have a positive and well informed experience when buying new or used plug-in vehicles, giving consumers confidence and supporting the growing uptake of ultra-low and zero-emission vehicles.”

The EVA is the only scheme that certifies the efforts dealers are making to meet growth in demand for electric cars. Every EVA retailer will have a management-level member of staff acting as an ‘EV ambassador’.

In addition, an EVA dealer must meet the following standards:

  • The provision of clear and impartial sales advice
  • Access to a range of materials and independent sources
  • Staff trained to provide advice in plain language
  • Documentary evidence relating to vehicle checks made prior to sale
  • An electric car will be fully charged on collection
  • Detailed sales information for all electric cars for sale in the showroom
  • Clear warranty information for the car and battery
  • All sales staff are trained to have a good understanding of electric cars
  • Courtesy cars will be electric vehicles where possible
  • EVA dealers have approved charging facilities on their premises

Full information on the EVA standards can be found here.

Doing it for EVA

EVA car dealer

In a move that’s hoped to reassure people new to electric cars, an EVA dealer will ensure customers are comfortable with the functions and details of running an EV. The following information will be provided on collection/delivery:

Scheme ‘gives motorists confidence’

EVA car showroom

Future of Mobility Minister Jesse Norman said: “Record levels of ultra-low emission vehicles on our roads are good news, as we seek to end the sale of new conventional diesel and petrol cars and vans.

”The accreditation recognises businesses with knowledge, capability and commitment to electric vehicles, and will help to encourage more car owners to switch to a greener alternative.”

Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader’s director for commercial products, added: “We’re committed to making the consumer buying experience more transparent and as stress-free as possible. The EVA badge… is a big part of that commitment. 

“All of our data highlights the huge growth in consumer demand for low emission vehicles, so the EVA accreditation is an excellent way for retailers to stand out from their competitors and take advantage of this bright spot in the market.”

Follow this link to find your nearest EVA-approved electric car dealer.

ALSO READ:

What are the pros and cons of electric cars?

What is the Plug-in Car Grant for electric cars?

How cheaply can I buy a used electric car?

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.

ALSO READ:

How accurate is the official range of electric cars?

Should you buy a plug-in hybrid or an electric car?

Hyundai electric cars: Your questions answered

1...678Page 7 of 8

Buying

Charging

Driving

Guides