Filling up with fuel is easy.
Park up, stick the nozzle in, and off you go.
Charging an electric car on the other hand . . .
Actually, not so hard either. Just a bit more to get your head around. We'll be cutting through the jargon and telling you what's really important.
So that you can plug in and never have to visit stinky petrol stations again. (Except for a Twix or a Snickers.)
Main Types of Electric Car Chargers
Level 1 Charger:
Voltage: 120V
Slowest charge, at about 3-5 miles of range per hour
Best for overnight charging
Ideal if you don't need much range or drive a low-range EV
Least expensive
Level 2 Charger:
Voltage: 240V
Faster charge, at about 20-60 miles of range per hour
Suitable for both home and public charging
DC Fast Charger (Level 3):
Voltage: 400V to 900V
Fastest charge, at about 80% charge in 20-30 minutes
Not typically used for home charging
Commonly found at motorway charging stations
Best for long-distance travel
Most expensive
Are all EVs Compatible With All Chargers?
Except for Teslas, which make use of the Tesla Supercharger network, pretty much all EVs are compatible with all chargers in the UK, though for non-rapid charging you'll usually have to supply your own cable, which may or may not come with your electric vehicle.
For non-rapid charging, UK electric vehicles will either have the above Type 1 inlet socket or Type 2 inlet socket.
Rapid chargers make use of what are known as tethered cables. In other words, they're permanently connected to and cannot be removed from the charging unit.
Charging Tips for Optimal Efficiency: Maximizing Your EV's Charging Efficiency
Most EVs have built-in systems to get the most out of the battery and safeguard its health, but having a few healthy habits of your own certainly helps too.
Plan your route: Whip out a map, satnav or app and take note of a few electric car charging points along the way, especially for longer trips
Avoid letting the battery drop too low: Just like with your mobile phone, 20-80% charge hits the sweet spot. Avoid charging it too often all the way to 100% or letting the battery die at 0%. Frequent, partial charging is good for battery health, rather than one long charge
Charge during off-peak hours: Electricity rates are usually lower in the evenings, potentially saving you money when charging at these times. Some charging points also let you reserve a timeslot
Precondition your car: If possible, warm or cool your electric car while it’s still plugged in so as to avoid using battery power
Public EV Charging Locations: How Do I Find EV Chargers?
Maybe you know your local ones, but there's now over 68,000 electric car charging points across the UK at 35,230 charging locations, and Zap-Map and ChargeFinder are great apps to help you track them down.
You can find Public EV chargers at car parks, motorway service stations, supermarkets, leisure centres and simply at the side of the road.
It's possible that your electric vehicle's satnav will be able to locate nearby ones, or just type in "electric car charging stations" or something similar into Google Maps as an alternative.
Can I Charge My Electric Car at Home?
It's absolutely possible to charge an electric car at home. In fact, it's one of the best ways of doing so.
Whilst you are resting up and recharging in bed, your electric vehicle can too. Instead of you having to faff about going backwards and forwards during the day.
What Do I Need to Install an Electric Car Charger?
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Access to a driveway or garage (companies won't install the charger if you only have access to off-street parking)
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Wi-fi access for the charge point (and sometimes, but not always, a smartphone to control the charging)
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Suitable home electricity supply (can be upgraded prior to installation at an extra cost)
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A parking spot within reasonable distance of the electricity meter
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Permission from your landlord if you rent the property
How Much Does It Cost to Install An Electric Car Charger at Home?
It generally costs around £600 to £1000 to install a home charging point, and the same again for a charger itself.
Individual houses can have different requirements though, so best to get a quote first.
But despite that initial cost, home charging works out cheaper than using a public charging point, so you'll save money in the long run.
Charging An Electric Car at Work
You probably spend about 8 to 9 hours a day or 90,000 hours of your life at work – might as well use that time to charge your electric car whilst it's sitting doing nothing.
An increasing number of businesses now incentivise employees to get behind the wheel of an EV by offering them free charging stations at work. Might want to check if yours is one of them.
Most workplace charging stations are Level 2 chargers, topping you up with 20-60 miles of range per hour, which should allow your electric vehicle to get back up the full charge over the course of an 8-hour workday. However, you might need to take your own cable to the units.
Can You Turn On An EV While Charging?
Technically yes, but you won't be able to move/drive the vehicle whilst its charging, and the power steering will be disabled.
The onboard systems can still be used, so you'll be able to turn on the heating or some music if you have nothing better to do and find yourself sitting about during the charging time. (Might want to get a playlist on the go, you could be waiting for a while!)
How Do I Pay for Charging My Electric Car?
If you're charging at home, it's obviously going on your electric bill.
If using a public charging point, some let you simply swipe or tap your car and pay via contactless. You may or may not need to download a dedicated app.
Some stations charge per hour, per kilowatt-hour, or they might offer subscription plans.
If charging at work, it'll most likely be free.
Common Myths About EV Charging
Myth #1 - 'Electric cars take forever to charge'
DEBUNKED – Charging with a level 1 charger might feel like watching paint dry, but with the proper equipment, many EVs can charge up to 80% charge in under an hour through DC Fast Chargers
Myth #2 - 'Charging stations are hard to find'
DEBUNKED – It's far from perfect, but the UK's network of public charging stations is still considerable, and it's expanding all the time. And like we say, plenty of gadgets to help you find them
Myth #3 - 'Charging an EV is expensive'
DEBUNKED –The truth is that due to lower fuel costs and tax rules, on average electric cars are £528 cheaper to own and run than petrol cars
Myth #4 - 'You Can’t Charge an EV in the Rain'
DEBUNKED – OK, not as stupid as it sounds. After all, electricity doesn't tend to react well to water. Luckily, EVs and charging stations are built to withstand extreme kinds of weather, and the charging ports and cables are water-resistant
Myth #5 - 'Electric cars don’t have enough range'
DEBUNKED –This may have been true in 2008, but EVs have come a long way since then (quite literally!). The average EV range is now estimated to be around the 300-mile mark, with many higher-tech models offering significantly more. And because charging infrastructure is expanding, you're bound to find a charging point at the end of all those miles
Can Electric Cars Charge Themselves?
Yes and no.
Technically, any non plug-in hybrid can recharge their batteries somewhat whilst on the move through what's called regenerative braking, but it'll only add a bit more range and is no substitute for actual charging.
So don't take the phrase 'self-charging electric vehicles at face value. They haven't been invented yet.
Speaking of inventions . . .
Future Trends in EV Charging Technology
It's fair to say that the future is green, so with innovations like ultra-fast chargers, wireless charging and vehicle-to-grid technology all on the horizon, the electric life's only going to get easier.
Ultra-Fast Charging
Exactly how it sounds, this aims to significantly reduce electric car charging time. Existing fast-chargers can get your electric car to 80% in 20-30 minutes, but the next generation of chargers could cut that time down to a whopping 5-10 minutes.
Solar-Powered Charging Stations
With the push toward renewable energy, solar-powered charging stations will likely become more common. Obviously, these would harness energy from the sun to power EVs, reducing dependency on traditional power grids and offering a truly natural charging solution.
AI and Smart Charging Networks
The Rise of the Machines applies here just as much as anywhere else. With the expansion of EV infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence and smart charging systems are going to play an important role in optimizing the use of charging networks. These will smartly manage electricity flow, prioritize charging needs and integrate with smart grids.
Autonomous Vehicle Charging
You've heard about self-driving vehicles. Well, how about self-charging vehicles? Yep, as autonomous vehicle technology gets better and better, EV charging could become fully automated. In other words, they'll drive up to a charging station, plug themselves in, then charge without any input from you. Downside is that this technology could still be a long way down the road.
Summing Up
There's a lot of facets and dos and don'ts when it comes to charging your electric vehicle, as well as faster (and slower) ways of doing it. But as the technology continues to evolve, it's only going to get more efficient, and electric cars more affordable.
So, ready to join the electric revolution with an electric car lease deal?
FAQs
How do I pay for charging my electric car?
You pay for charging your electric car at a public charging station by simply tapping your card to pay via contactless, or swipe your credit card. Some charging stations let you download a dedicated app as a way of paying.
How do you charge an electric car at home in the UK?
You can plug your EV into a regular outlet at home (i.e. level 1 charging). The quickest way to charge an electric car at home though is with a dedicated EV Home Charger, or you could plug your electric vehicle into a standard domestic socket using a home charging cable.
Can you charge an electric car at home with a normal plug?
Yes, you can charge an electric car at home using a regular domestic 3-pin socket, but a dedicated home EV charger is a much better – and faster – option. These typically deliver around 7kW of power.
Is it cheaper to charge an electric car at night?
It is generally cheaper to charge an electric car at night. This is the time when people are less likely to be using energy from the grid, so nocturnal charging can seriously bring down your costs.