If you’re just getting started with electric driving, charging might seem daunting at first, but it becomes very easy once you know the basics. From home charging to using public networks, and understanding the costs involved, there’s a wealth of helpful advice to guide you.
We recommend these two trusted sources to get you started:
Once you get the hang of it, plugging in becomes second nature.
Charging time depends on several factors, including the type of charger, how empty your battery is, and the size of your battery.
It can take as little as 15 minutes using an ultra-rapid 350kW chargepoint, or more than 12 hours if you’re using a 7kW domestic charger.
While figures vary depending on your car model, the average range you can add is roughly:
Crucially, the rate of charge is usually slower when your battery is very low (below 10%) or nearly full (approaching 100%). For this reason, and for better battery health, it’s recommended to only charge up to 80%. Stopping earlier and topping up later in your journey is often faster overall and helps free up charging bays for other drivers.
It is also worth noting that every EV has a maximum rate at which it can charge, even if the chargepoint is capable of delivering more. Most newer models cars can charge at a rate of 50kW, with many able to charge at a much higher rate. In some older models however, the maximum charging rate of your EV will be much lower so it’s worth checking before plugging in.
The cost of charging an electric vehicle depends on where, when and how you charge, but it’s generally cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel.
Home charging is the cheapest option, especially if you can charge overnight on an off-peak electricity tariff, with costs as low as 7p/kWh.
Public charging costs vary more, and will depend on the speed of the charger or the charging network you use – 79p/kWh is a typical price for an ultra-rapid public charger.
EVA England member and host of the EV Musing podcast, Gary Comerford, has put this guide together:
