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EV cars are a big learning curve. And, if you’ve never owned or driven an electric before, you’ll need to do plenty of learning first before you fully get to grips with these vehicles. Still, they can definitely be a rewarding car to drive once you know the ins and outs. And, as electrics get more common on UK roads and on sales sites, now’s the best time to learn!
Electric cars in the UK have several different types of chargers. These do slightly different things, so it’s important to know what each is designed to do. This is especially crucial if you’re looking to buy an EV. And, since these are getting far more popular, both new and used, now’s the time to learn. After all, even if you don’t have an EV yourself, there’s a good chance you’ll drive one at some point!
Of course, we should stress here that, if you’re buying second-hand, doing your due diligence first is crucial. By checking your used EV on Full Car Checks, you can access a lot of useful information about the vehicle, such as how many miles it can travel on a single charge or how long it takes to charge compared to other models.
After all, from battery issues to structural problems and more, EVs can be plagued by faults, just like other cars. So, there’s no room to compromise - and even a good charger can’t make a faulty car run smooth.
Generally, the most common types of EV chargers are Slow Chargers, which are up to 6kW. Just because they’re slow doesn’t mean they’re not useful, though; indeed, more specifically, these are usually designed for at home or on-street use. In other words, they’re the main charger of choice for those wanting to charge their EVs at home. In short, although they take longer, slow chargers are perfectly fine for most daily commutes.
Next up, we have fast EV chargers, which are common these days in places like supermarkets, car parks, and office buildings. These chargers generally work up to 22 kW and provide a far quicker top-up than slow home units. Compared to slow chargers, a near-full charge is often possible in around three hours for a typical EV with these! As such, they’re useful for topping up the car in between trips or the like.
If you need to charge your EV in a hurry, a rapid charger is the type you need! These are generally found in locations where you’re likely to be on the move and in a time-critical situation. For example, they’re commonly seen in motorway service car parks, providing a quick top-up to get you on the next leg of your journey.
These chargers can often charge your EV’s battery up to 80% in around half an hour, depending on the kW. Of course, that’s a long shot from the couple of minutes it takes to refuel a petrol or diesel car. Still, it’s a world better than sitting in the services for hours on end just to get home.
Understanding the differences between slow, fast, and rapid EV chargers is crucial if you’re planning a trip with your car. Indeed, electric cars do need more planning than petrol or diesel vehicles, simply because charging takes longer than refuelling. Fortunately, with rapid chargers becoming more and more common, owning an EV is also getting more practical than ever.
With the government’s EV grant added in, it makes even more sense to consider an electric vehicle. The car world is moving in that direction anyway, and the incentives help close the gap for anyone who’s been on the fence. At this point it’s really about choosing the right model that fits your needs and timing your purchase so you feel confident about the switch.