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Electric & Hybrid Vehicles
After 60 years in the automotive business we are proud to embrace change and the evolving landscape. As a forward thinking business and with electric vehicles on the increase we have been working really hard to ensure we can offer all our customers the right buying experience.
Electric cars can be a confusing subject, but don’t worry we’re here to help you with clear, simple advice to ensure we find the right car for you.
You will be spoilt for choice with our fantastic electric vehicle range.
Types of electric vehicles
Electric vehicles can be confusing. With so many acronyms flying around, it’s no wonder that some people are put off by the range of options available. Here we break down the different electric vehicle variations so you can make an informed decision.
Mild-Hybrid
Electric Vehicle
In the case of a mild hybrid, the conventional combustion engine is assisted by a battery driven electric motor. Although the electric battery cannot power the car itself, the assistance it provides reduces emissions.
Hybrid
Electric Vehicle
A Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) utilises two sources of power - conventional and electric. The vehicle will automatically switch between the two depending on the speed of travel. When crawling through heavy city traffic, for example, a HEV will switch to electric power and will not use the conventional engine at all.
Plug-In Hybrid
Electric Vehicle
A Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) is similar to a HEV in that it uses both conventional and electric power sources, but the battery is much larger and as a result the vehicle is able to travel further distances using solely electric power. They need to be plugged into a charging point in order to recharge the electric battery.
All-Electric
Vehicle
The All-Electric Vehicle (E) is driven purely by electricity. Simply plug in to a charging point to charge and the car will take care of the rest. The e-Niro will take you 282 miles on a single charge, so if you’re planning on making a long journey don’t forget to plan your charging points in advance.
Where and how to charge your EV
Charging an electric car is a little different to filling the tank with petrol or diesel, but the basic concept remains the same. You need to make sure your car has sufficient power to get from A to B, stopping to top-up along the way if necessary. With over 100,000 charging points across Europe you can rest assured that you’ll never be far from your next charge.
Home Charging for Electric Vehicles
Charging your electric vehicle (EV) at home is convenient and cost-effective. With a home charging station, commonly referred to as an Electric Vehicle Charging Point (EVCP), you can ensure your EV is ready to go whenever you need it.
Benefits of Home Charging:
Charge your EV overnight whilst you sleep, ensuring a full battery each morning. Companies like Octopus Energy automatically enable you to charge your car when it's cheapest and receive super-low smart charging rates, plus 6 hours of inexpensive energy for your entire home every night.
Typically more affordable than public charging stations, especially when taking advantage of off-peak electricity rates at night, you can charge from 7.5p/kWh, which is up to 70% less than price cap rates.
You have control over your charging schedule, allowing you to optimise for cost and energy efficiency. You would need to connect your charger with your electricity provider's app, then simply plug in your car and indicate how much charge you need. Your car will automatically schedule charging for when the energy tariff is cheapest.
Charging your car at home helps to eliminate range anxiety, and you can always leave home with a full charge.
Types of Home Charging
Utilises a standard 230-volt household outlet and provides a slow charge. Suitable for overnight charging or topping up during the day.
Requires a dedicated 400-volt circuit and provides faster charging speeds. Ideal for daily charging needs and quicker replenishment.
Charging on-the-go
Plenty of public destinations now provide electric charging points including supermarkets, shopping centres, restaurants and car parks. According to Zapmap at the end of April 2024, there were about 61,232 electric vehicle charging points across the UK, across 32,697 charging locations. This represents a 45% increase in the total number of charging devices since April 2023.
Charging your electric vehicle (EV) while on the move is essential for longer journeys and added convenience. Fortunately, there's a growing infrastructure of charging stations across the UK, in April 2024 alone, 1,642 net new EV charging devices were added to the Zapmap database, which consists up of 991 slow, 336 fast, and 315 rapid and ultra-rapid devices. making it easier than ever to charge your EV away from home.
Types of Charging Stations:
According to gov.uk, there are approximately 8,908 stations providing the fastest charging speeds of 50kW or above, also known as ultra-fast chargers, commonly found along major highways and in urban areas. They can replenish your EV's battery to 80% capacity in around 30 minutes.
These stations offer quicker charging than standard home chargers with a power rating of 8kW up to 49kW, which are slower than rapid chargers but represent about 21% of all charging devices. They're typically located in public car parks, shopping centres, and other convenient locations.
As of 1st Oct 23, there were about 22,167 destination chargers installed at hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. These chargers allow you to top up your EV while you're parked for an extended period.
Planning Your Route:
Various apps and websites, such as Zap-Map, PlugShare, Shell Recharge, etc., provide maps and real-time information on charging station locations, availability, and compatible connector types.
Use your EV's onboard range estimator or range prediction feature to plan your route and identify charging stops along the way.
Factor in charging time when planning longer journeys. Rapid chargers allow for quicker stops, while fast chargers may require a longer break. Companies like Shell Recharge offer you access to their wide network of over 23,000 public charge points, with 8,000 on-street charging points.
Many EVs now come equipped with built-in navigation systems that can route you to nearby charging stations and display real-time availability. If you don't have one in your EV, you can still use Zapmap to plan your trip; this app gives you all the necessary resources and information for your trip.
Charging at work
According to a YouGov survey about half of UK drivers would be more likely to switch to an EV if they can charge at work. Workplace charging not only supports sustainable commuting but also enhances employee satisfaction and promotes environmental responsibility.
Benefits of Workplace Charging
Providing charging facilities at the workplace offers employees a convenient and accessible way to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) whilst they're at work. This eliminates the need for additional charging stops during their commute, making the transition to electric transportation more seamless. Workplace charging infrastructure has also seen significant growth, with over 30,000 public charging connectors available across the UK, according to Zap-Map's March 2022 data.
Charging at work not only provides employees with a convenient way to charge their EVs but also extends the electric range of their vehicles. This means employees can confidently run errands or attend meetings without worrying about range anxiety, knowing that they can top up their battery while at work. According to Zap-Map's 2021 EV Charging Survey, 70% of EV drivers in the UK state that workplace charging is important or very important in their decision to purchase an electric vehicle.
Offering EV charging demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and attracts environmentally conscious employees. It can also increase employee satisfaction and retention. It has been found that employers who can demonstrate meaningful sustainability initiatives may have an advantage in attracting and retaining talent in the current highly competitive recruitment market.
Encouraging employees to drive electric vehicles through workplace charging initiatives contributes to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with corporate sustainability goals and environmental initiatives. The UK Government aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Transitioning to electric vehicles, supported by workplace charging infrastructure, is crucial in meeting this target.
Incentives and Recognition
Encouraging employees to choose electric vehicles (EVs) for their commute and utilise workplace charging can be further incentivised through recognition programmes. These programmes aim to acknowledge and reward employees for their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Demonstrating support for EV adoption through recognition programmes enhances the employer's brand image as a socially responsible and environmentally conscious organisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electric cars get their power from a rechargeable battery, rather than a combustion engine. This means they don’t require fuel or oil, and they produce zero emissions.
The battery is charged by plugging the car into a charge point and drawing electricity from the grid. That electricity then powers an electric motor which turns the wheels. EV motors deliver instant power, and therefore they can accelerate much quicker and feel lighter than petrol-powered cars.
Although the initial purchase outlay tends to be higher than petrol or diesel cars, an EV will save you money in running costs, you can also save on maintenance, service and fuel. You’ll also pay absolutely zero road tax with a fully electric vehicle!
Did you know that almost all-electric vehicles are automatic?
This is one of the reasons why electric vehicle owners find that they offer a much smoother and more enjoyable driving experience, as opposed to vehicles with manual transmissions.
Electric vehicles are very quiet, which means less distraction for the driver, and a better experience for passengers.
They also don't give out too much noise in busy towns and cities, so both neighbours and the outside environment benefit from this.
That varies greatly from model to model. The average range of a fully electric vehicle at the moment is around 130 miles, but this grows with each new model release. The upcoming Ford Mustang Mach-E, for example, will be able to travel nearly 370 miles on one charge and the All-New Kia Soul has a driving range of up to 280 miles on a single charge.
Electric vehicles give you regular reminders, so you are always aware of how much range you have.
Also, they are equipped with economy modes, to help you get to a safe place.
There are a number of different types of chargers, which you have access to and they all have different charging times.
| Types of chargers | Time it takes to charge |
| Fast chargers | within 3 - 8 hours |
| Slow chargers | within 6 - 12 hours |
| Rapid chargers | To around 80% in around 40 - 60 minutes |
| Ultra-Rapid chargers | To around 80% in around 20 minutes |
Home charging explained
We know how confusing information on home charging can be, such as how to use them, when is the best time to charge your vehicle and how much it all costs.
So here is a video explaining the most asked questions.
How it works
1
Online form
Quick-and-easy enquiry form to advise of your specific enquiry.
2
Call back
We’ll call to discuss the enquiry you have.
3
Visit Dealership
We’ll arrange a day for you to visit the dealership and view the vehicle.