Question 1

What types of charging plugs are there?

Accepted Answer

Both EVs and PHEVs have built in batteries which needs to be recharged from an external mains supply. The vehicles have inlets for a charging cable to be connected to, but they are not all the same. The inlet on the vehicle will depend on manufacturers choice. Vehicles usually have two charging inlets; one for AC charging and one for DC. AC is used for slow and fast charging and DC is used for rapid charging. But sometimes vehicles have only one inlet for used for all charging. For AC charging, the Type 1 or Type 2 plug is used, and for DC CHAdeMO and CCS are used.
 
Click here for a detailed explaination of the available charging plugs.

Question 2

Can't I just charge my car on a socket at home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can charge using a 3-pin plug at home but it is not recommended. Normal household sockets and wiring are not designed to take such a high continuous load. Regular charging should be done using a charge point that is able to safely take the continuous load, installed on a separate circuit right back to the 'consumer unit' or fuseboard.
 
Using a 3-pin plug should only be done when no other option is available. If you do have to charge with a 3 pin plug, then we recommend having your electrics checked first by a qualified electrician to help to minimise risk. Before each charge, it is good practice to inspect the plugs, fuse and cable to check for any signs of wear which could influence your charge.

Question 3

Are there grants to help towards the cost of installing an EV charger?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The UK Government's Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) offer two types of grant; domestic (EVHS) and workplace (WCS). Each grant is for the value of 75% of the cost of a charger and installation, capped at £500. The two grants have specific criteria which you must meet to be eligible. To read our full guide to the OLEV grants click here or visit the OLEV website directly.

Question 4

How do I apply for a home charger grant?

Accepted Answer

The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) requires each grant claim to be submitted using a form which includes a customer declaration. The authorised chargepoint installer will claim the 75% of the cost, up to £500, on behalf of the customer, and the rest of the payment must be agreed privately. If the form is filled out incorrectly then the claim will be marked as invalid, and payment will not be made.
 
Read our full guide to the OLEV grants here.

Question 5

How do I apply for a workplace charger grant?

Accepted Answer

Applicants must apply for the Workplace Charge Scheme (WCS) via an online portal. If the application is deemed to be eligible, then the applicant will be issued with a unique identification code via email which will be valid for four months/ 120 days from the date of issue. Once the chargepoints have been installed, the OLEV approved installer will claim the grant using the unique code given. Installations made after the 4 month validation period cannot be claimed for.
 
Read our full guide to the OLEV grants here.

Question 6

What are the different types of charging? (slow, fast and rapid)"

Accepted Answer

There are 3 different types of charging; typically called 'slow', 'fast' and 'rapid' in the UK.
 
Slow charging occurs at 3kW, and is most common in UK homes. At 3kW, a full charge is likely to take 5-8 hours, so slow charging is perfect for overnight use.
 
Fast charging occurs at 7kW-22kW; a full charge at 7kW can typically take around 3-5 hours and at 22kW this could be reduced to as little as 2-3 hours. Charging above 7kW requires 'three phase' electricity which is not normally available in UK homes, but is often available elsewhere. Rapid charging can fill a vehicle battery by 80% in as little as 20 minutes.
 
Rapid chargers are most commonly found at motorway services and at electric forecourts, where charging occurs at between 50kW and 350kW.
 
It is important to note that these figures are only a guide, charging speed depends not only on the charger, but also the capability of the vehicle and the size of the vehicle's battery.
 
For more information read our full guide to electric vehicle charging.

Question 7

What different types of electric vehicles are there? (BEV, PHEV and HEV)"

Accepted Answer

It is generally accepted that there are 3 main types of electric vehicle; battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV).
 
BEVs (more commonly known simply as EVs) are fully electric vehicles with rechargable batteries; they have no combustion engine and are 'fuelled' solely by using electricity. They also recoup energy by using the electric motor as a generator when slowing down, also minimising the production of brake dust by reduced wear on the conventional brakes.
 
PHEVs have a battery much the same as a BEV, however it is much smaller. Once the battery power has been utilised, the vehicle continues to be powered by a combustion engine. PHEVs have a electric range of between 10-40 miles.
 
A 'traditional' hybrid vehicle (HEV) has a very small battery which is used in connection with the combustion engine. The main difference between a PHEV and a HEV is the ability to charge the battery. You are unable to plug in a HEV to charge the battery, it is instead charged by the combustion engine. Using a battery in conjunction with the combustion engine offers slightly reduced tail pipe emissions, but ultimately HEVs are being charged by the combustion engine. There is no such thing as a 'self-charging' hybrid vehicle.
 
For more information read our full guide to electric vehicle charging.

Question 8

Why do EVs charge at different rates?

Accepted Answer

Charging speed depends not only on the capability of the charger / electrical connection (see above question), but also on the capability of the vehicle and the size of the vehicle's battery.
 
Many vehicles that are designed to be sold all over the world are often limited to AC charging at about 7kW. This is often the limit of AC charging in other country markets. In Europe, three-phase power is more available, and this allows charging up to 22kW if the vehicle is designed to be able to accept that much AC power. Whatever the limitation of the vehicle for AC charging, most vehicles have the ability to accept a DC charge at 50kW or higher, which is fed directly to the battery, under the control of the car. Increasingly, public rapid chargers are being installed that can deliver 150kW or higher to compatible vehicles. As the capacity of batteries increase to give greater range, the speed of charging (AC or DC) becomes increasingly important.

Question 9

Can I overcharge my vehicle?

Accepted Answer

No. You are unable to overcharge your vehicle because the power flow is ended automatically by an integrated charging management system. The flow will be stopped once the EV is 'full', so leaving your EV plugged in is not a problem.
 
If you are leaving your vehicle unused for a significant amount of time, it may be better for the battery if it is not left fully charged. Consult your vehicle dealer for advice on your vehicle model.

Question 10

What 'real world' range can I expect from a vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Just like with a petrol or diesel vehicle, 'manufacturers range' and 'real world range' are usually different; we suggest that taking 10% off the manufactures estimated range is usually offers a good guide. However, driving style and location have the largest influence on range. Driving moderately and conserving your speed will pay back in terms of range. Urban drivers who face low speed limits and generally flat ground will get a better range than rural drivers who face national speed limits and uneven ground. The bottom line is how you drive has a huge influence on range, just like a conventional vehicle. Drivers who are concious of this can (and do!) meet the expected manufacturers range from their vehicle. We have been driving EVs rurally for almost 20 years, and we have never ran out of juice!
 
The only real difference to consider is seasonality. Using more 'stuff' on your vehicle will draw more power, so blasting your heater or air con will reduce your range slightly. Across peak summer and peak winter seasons using the air con or heater have much the same affect on range. The important thing to note is that in winter the battery capacity is affected by the cooler air temperature. In winter you will not get the same range as in the summer; it will be lower. This is because the colder temperatures cause the chemical reactions inside the battery to occur at a slower rate, so cold batteries discharge faster than warmer batteries. This doesnt mean that EVs don't work in the cold, they do, its just something to consider.
 
A good resource to use for in depth vehicle reviews is Honest John.

Question 11

Do I have 'three-phase' electricity?

Accepted Answer

Three-phase electricity is a method of AC power transmission and distribution used to transfer power around the National Grid, right down to street level. It is unlikely that you have three-phase power at home (only around 5% of UK homes do and these are often very large homes or farms) but most businesses do have three-phase.
 
To determine if you do have three-phase power, please consult your electrician or contact us.

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