What Exactly is an EV?
To put it simply, EV stands for electric vehicle. When you think about EV’s, you are
probably thinking of a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), an automobile that runs purely on electricity and uses a
rechargeable battery to power an electric motor.
Yet there are actually several types of electrified powertrains available on the market today. BEV’s, as
mentioned, are fully electric, yet there are also vehicles that combine an electric motor with a conventional
internal combustion engine to create a Hybrid : Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV),
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
How and where do I charge?
When it comes to charging your EV, your options will depend on how developed the charging
infrastructure is where you live.
Depending on your grid connection at home or the type of public charging station you have access to, electric
vehicles give you flexible possibilities for charging.
When charging at home, you’ll need to have the option to park off the street. For home charging, many drivers of
electric vehicles choose to have a wall-mounted charging point installed at home for faster charging vs. a
normal wall socket. Depending on your country of residence, you might be eligible for government grants to help
with the costs of installation. Once your home charging station is installed, you can plug your EV in overnight,
and wake up to a fully charged battery.
How long does it take to charge?
Charging times for EVs depend on a range of factors, such as what kind of connection you
have access to and the size of the battery, as well as the outside temperature and a range of external factors.
In general, there are two types of charging: normal alternating current (AC) charging and fast direct current
(DC) charging. Normal AC charging is typically less energy-intensive and therefore much slower than fast
charging. When you charge at home using a conventional plug, or sometimes when you plug into publicly available
street charging, you will be using AC. Fast charging can be completed in under an hour and is typically only
found at public charging stations.
How much do I pay for charging?
The cost of charging your EV depends on quite a few variables. For example, where you
live, who is the energy provider, where you charge and what kind of EV you have.
Nevertheless, you can rest assured that the cost you pay to your electricity provider to recharge your EV is
likely to be considerably less than it would be to fill up a conventional automobile with petrol. And don’t
forget: many towns and shops offer free charging at reserved EV parking spaces.
The base price of electricity is set by the country you live in and the energy provider. Individual European
countries have their own tariffs on electricity use and the cost per kWh (kilowatt-hour) can vary slightly
depending on the provider.
How far can I drive?
Just as there is a range of factors that affect an ICE’s fuel efficiency, the total
electric driving range will be affected by the size of the battery, your driving style, driving mode selected,
the outside temperature, number of electrical features being used (eg, Radio, lights, heating etc), any
passengers you are carrying and many other factors.
Planning a road trip with an EV? If you are driving a full-electric vehicle, it’s important to plan your route
ahead of time, so you can have a nice cup of coffee at a rest stop that has high-speed DC Fast charging
stations.
Can you choose when you want to drive in electric or petrol mode with a hybrid car?
The smart switchover allows the driver to go from hybrid to electric mode when the battery is sufficiently
charged.
The automatic gearbox in hybrid vehicles not only shifts gears but also switches from hybrid to electric mode
based on two criteria: pressing down the accelerator and the battery’s charge level.
How does it feel to drive?
It feels fun! First of all, BEVs are typically equipped with a single-speed reduction
gear, so there’s no more shifting. As a result, the ride is smooth and silent and the response is almost
instantaneous.
Secondly, EVs feel surprisingly fast. Just because you don’t have a 6 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine on
board that doesn’t mean that EVs are slow. BEVs deliver instant torque and impressive acceleration. Despite the
extra weight a battery brings, BEVs are quick off the line and deliver a smooth and constant acceleration.
Although fast and powerful, EVs drive very quietly. There is still noise from the tyres on the road and the wind
rushing around the car, but on electric-power alone, they are comparatively quiet. This results in a peaceful
and relaxing driving experience.
When it all comes down to it, an EV is still an automobile. There is nothing scary or difficult about driving
one. If you can drive a conventional car or light commercial vehicle, you can drive an EV.
Can I use an electric vehicle in a car wash?
Yes. Electric vehicles are designed and tested to the same standards as conventional combustion engine vehicles
and can be taken through all types of car washes.