Electric Vehicle FAQs

You can install a charger at home, use charging stations at work, or use one of the 30,000 public charging stations in the UK. Take a look at our interactive map to find your nearest charging station.

If well-maintained, EV batteries can last up to 12-15 years, and should cover up to 200,000 miles. This is dependent on a number of factors, including not fully charging the battery, not letting it get too low on charge, and not exposing it to extreme temperatures.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

These are run purely on electricity, and must be plugged in to a power source to recharge the battery.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

These combine both a traditional combustion engine and an electric motor. The car runs on extended periods of electric-only driving, before the combustion engine takes over. The battery is charged through via the charging port. 

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

Hybrid vehicles have a combustion engine and a small electric motor. The battery assists the gas engine, but does not replace it. HEV's don't plug in to charge, the battery is charged through regenerative braking.

This is a process that takes the kinetic energy produced during braking, and exerts it into electricity which is stored in the car's battery, adding to its electric range over time.

Most modern electric vehicles can travel 200–350 miles on a full charge, depending on the model, battery size, driving conditions, and your driving style. That means for most UK drivers - whether it’s the daily commute, school run, or weekend trips - today’s EVs can easily cover typical journeys on a single charge.

Volkswagen offers impressive range across its line-up, with the ID.3 capable of up to 347 miles, the spacious ID. Buzz reaching around 260 miles, and the new ID.7 delivering up to 384 miles on a single charge. Škoda’s Enyaq and the Elroq share the same efficient VW Group technology, with ranges of around 320–350 miles.

From Hyundai, the Kona Electric offers up to 319 miles, while the futuristic IONIQ 9 and compact Inster expand the range with advanced battery technology and fast charging. Kia also delivers excellent range, with the Niro EV covering around 285 miles, the EV3 offering up to 375 miles, and the flagship EV9 achieving up to 349 miles.

You cannot use any charger for every electric vehicle because connectors and power levels must be compatible. However, many modern electric vehicles can use most public chargers with the right cable. All new Volkswagen, Škoda, Hyundai, and Kia electric and plug-in hybrid models use the UK-standard charging connectors, so you can plug in at home or on most public charging networks without worry. 

Most modern EVs use a Type 2 connector, which is the standard plug used across the UK and Europe. This means you can charge at home using a wall box from brands like Pod Point, Ohme, Zappi, or Easee, or use most workplace chargers.

For rapid charging on the go, most EVs use the CCS (Combined Charging System) connector - the UK standard for fast charging. You can plug straight in at rapid charge points from networks such as Ionity, Gridserve, InstaVolt, Shell Recharge, and bp pulse. No adapters or special cables are needed, you can simply plug in, tap to start, and charge.

Electric vehicles are significantly better for the environment than petrol or diesel cars, both while driving and over their full lifetime. Switching to an EV is one of the most effective ways UK drivers can cut their carbon footprint, improve local air quality, and support the transition to cleaner, renewable energy.

EVs produce no exhaust emissions, they have a lower carbon footprint overall, and more than 50% of UK electricity now comes from renewable sources like wind and solar. If you charge your EV at home using solar panels, your driving can be almost entirely carbon-free!

Yes, owning an electric vehicle now works out cheaper over time than an equivalent petrol or diesel car.