Very soon all cars will be electric

If you are thinking about driving greener with an electric car, you probably wonder what your options are and need answers to questions before you step away from your traditionally fueled car.

Depending on when you are reading this, electric and hybrid vehicles make up about 10% of the new cars on the road, and the figure will increase as manufacturers continue to introduce new models into the mainstream.

Below, we break down the different EV car options. We show you the basics of what you need to know about charging, range, ownership costs, safety features, and more so you can choose the right electric vehicle that meets all your needs.

Electric Cars
How does it all work?
>Electricity creates motion
Electricity creates motion (and vice versa)

Electric vehicles use electricity stored in rechargeable high-voltage batteries to power an electric motor. The motor then converts the electric energy into mechanical power to drive the vehicle.

>Plugs in like any other device
Plugs in like any other device

Electric-vehicle batteries need to be charged with electricity supplied from a power outlet, such as a plug socket at home or a public charging station. All JT Hughes fully electric vehicles are delivered with a cable to charge with.

Wastes no energy
Wastes no energy

With regenerative braking, energy produced while the vehicle decelerates is converted and stored in the battery. The energy is produced when the accelerator pedal is released by the driver and the momentum of the wheels turns the electric motor. With less need to use the brakes and other mechanical parts, vehicle parts can last longer.

How do I charge my electric car?
Home plug
Home plug

Plug your car into the wall from your domestic socket with your EVSE cable just like a laptop or any other device, and the battery will top-up overnight. That’s probably all you will need if you just have a short commute or you don’t use your car every day. Green technology does make your life easier.

Home AC charger
Home AC charger

The best place to charge your electric vehicle at home is using a dedicated AC home charger. With power outputs ranging from 3kW to 22kW, depending on your electricity supply and vehicle capability, AC home chargers allow much faster charging times than using a 3-pin socket. Further details can be found at: GOV UK Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme.

Public charge points
Public charge points

There are more than 40,000 public charging stations in Europe, including over 7,000 that offer rapid charging services—and those numbers grow every day. You can download an app to help you find and plan your next charge, and benefit from the many authorities and workplaces that offer free parking while you charge.

How can I make the most of my range?
Take care of your battery
Take care of your battery

Most electric vehicles won’t experience significant battery decline under normal everyday use. A simple tip to keep your battery in shape is to avoid letting the charge drop below 5%**.

Plan your trips
Plan your trips

Your electric vehicle’s battery is fully suffcient for your day-to-day journeys. When going on long trips, just make sure to let it take a break and charge while you stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat.

Optimise your driving
Optimise your driving

Just like with a petrol car, small details can make a big difference to your driving effciency charge. Speed, accelerating and braking behaviour, road conditions, the number of passengers and amount of luggage, tyre pressure and even the air temperature all play a role in the car’s range.

The benefits of switching to an electric car
Smooth and responsive drive

Electric motors provide 100% torque, which means smooth, powerful acceleration every time, with no engine vibration and near complete silence. Just push for instant power and ease off to slow down. One pedal helps you stay in control, with the brake pedal reserved for responsive braking.

Low maintenance, low running costs

The first saving you’ll notice is never having to buy petrol again. Electric vehicles also have far fewer moving parts, which reduces maintenance costs. Even wear on brake pads is reduced because electric cars use the motor to slow down, which also feeds power back to the battery.

Zero tailpipe emissions

Numerous government incentives make electric vehicles more financially appealing. You can say goodbye to tailpipe emissions and enjoy guilt free driving, knowing you’ve joined the electric revolution.

Congestion Change and BiK Tax
Qualify for 100% discount on the London congestion charge

Owners of an electric car do not need to pay the London Congestion Charge, while many other vehicles pay the full £15 per day. For somebody living outside the congestion zone but driving into it five days a week for a year, this could mean an annual saving of over £3,750.

Live richer with 2% BIK for electric company-car drivers

The UK Government has just announced new benefit-in kind (BIK) tax rates for the year 2022/23/ and 2023/24. This means that company car drivers of 100% electric vehicles pay 2%. We've worked this out at an average saving £3,496 in your first year! So why not give yourself a bigger income boost by switching to an electric car.

Coffee Car
Used Electric Cars for sale at JT Hughes
No electric/hybrid used cars available at the moment.
FAQs
Popular questions about electric cars
What EV models are available from JT Hughes ?

JT Hughes sells brand new electric and hybrid models from Kia, Honda, Hyundai and KGM as well as all makes and models from our used car inventory.

Do EVs drive differently from conventional vehicles?

Driving an electric car certainly feels different the first time round. Most notably an electric car is almost silent, with noise from the motor only noticeable at speed, and traditional wind and tyre noise created. Other than that, EVs drive in a similar way to conventional car with an automatic transmission, and are very easy to drive. But better than an automatic, they have lots of ‘torque’ from a standing start, which means that they are very responsive with even standard EV models having quick acceleration.

How far can a typical EV travel on a single charge?

Most new EVs have a real-world range of somewhere between 80-250 miles, depending on the model. Small, city-focused cars sit at the lower end of the range spectrum, with many family models easily able to cover 110-180 miles on a single charge, though there are an increasing number that can cover 200-250 miles. Premium models, like the Kia, Hyundai, Tesla range or Jaguar I-Pace, can cover 250-300+ miles on a full battery. ( model dependent) 

Depending on the model, PHEVs are able to drive 15-40 miles in electric only mode. However, when the conventional petrol or diesel engine is used, PHEVs have a range that can easily exceed 500 miles when using both fuels.

Range-extended EVs tend to offer the same amount of range as a pure-EV on electric power, but then can call on a small combustion engine to extend the range. This typically adds another 100 miles or so, with an overall range (using both fuels) of 200-250 miles.

How do I know an electric car is right for me?

If you are thinking of buying a pure-EV, there are three issues that need to be considered that will determine whether this type of EV is the right vehicle for you: your access to a private off-street charging point, your daily mileage and your overall budget. 

How can I get more range out of my EV?

Range can be affected by a number of factors. These include internal factors like the use of air conditioning and/or heating. Driving style can have a great impact too, with higher speeds and aggressive acceleration significantly decreasing the range available.

Making good use of regenerative braking can reduce the rate at which your battery’s charge will drop too, and the outside temperature has an impact too – with batteries preferring warm to cold conditions.

Are EVs as safe to drive as other vehicles?

According to the results of crash testing conducted for all cars and vans, yes. EVs have to adhere to the same safety regulations as conventional vehicles – note however that quadricycles like the Renault Twizy are not covered by the same testing regimes. Many of the UK’s best-selling EVs have been awarded five stars by independent safety body EuroNCAP.

However, it should be said that there have been a small number of fires from lithium batteries, most notably involving the Tesla Model S in the United States. However, Tesla has published in-depth data to show that the incidences of fires is no greater than for conventional cars (which may be reported less frequently).

 

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