
Thinking of Purchasing an Electric Vehicle?
We get a lot of questions about owning an electric vehicle, so we thought we’d share some of the most common questions asked at our dealerships. From range and charging to maintenance and costs, these are the things that many potential EV owners want to know.
Our goal is to provide clear, helpful answers that put your mind at ease and show just how practical and enjoyable owning an electric vehicle can be. Whether you’re considering your first EV or just curious about how they work, we hope this guide helps you feel more confident about making the switch.
What Kind of Warranty Does the Battery Come With?
When purchasing an electric vehicle, the last thing you want is the worry of costly repairs. The good news is that electric cars now come with warranties of up to 8 years on fully electric and hybrid models, in addition to your manufacturer’s warranty. This means you can enjoy eight years of worry-free motoring, knowing that your vehicle is covered for peace of mind. Whether it’s your daily commute or weekend adventures, you can focus on the joy of driving rather than unexpected costs.
How to Overcome Range Anxiety When Driving an Electric Car
Selected brands come with fantastic features built into the satellite navigation system that help with range anxiety.
For example, if you are travelling from Leicestershire to Scotland, the satellite navigation will plan your journey for you. It calculates how many breaks you will need along the way and how much charge is required at each stop.
Another clever feature is that you can input how much charge you want to have upon arrival at your destination, and the system will ensure you reach it with the required charge. This is just one of many features that manufacturers are using to help with range anxiety, and the technology continues to improve.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car at Home?
This is a question we get asked a lot, and customers are often very surprised by the answer. Currently, there are fantastic tariffs available, especially if you charge your car overnight. The cost to charge your vehicle can be as little as £4.50 for a 300-mile range, although it does vary depending on where you live and your electricity provider. Compare that to the cost of fueling a petrol car, and the savings can be significant.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car Away from Home?
The UK charging network is expanding every day, with more superchargers and conveniently located charging points being added.
Charging an electric car outside the home costs roughly the same as fueling a petrol or diesel vehicle. At service stations, prices may be slightly higher than at supermarket charging points, similar to the difference in petrol prices.
With superchargers, you can go from 18% to 85% in as little as 20 minutes, just enough time to use the restroom or grab a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant.
Can an Electric Car Tow a Caravan or Trailer?
Of course, let’s take the Kia EV9 as an example, which has a towing capacity of 2,500 kg. We recently had a customer who purchased a Kia EV9 from one of our dealerships with the intention of towing his caravan to Europe. When he returned, he couldn’t wait to tell us how his journey went.
He mentioned that he experienced some range anxiety at first, but once he entered his destination, the satellite navigation took care of the rest. It planned his route, showed the number of charging stops required, and indicated how long each charge would take.
Overall, he achieved an average range of around 150 miles while towing his caravan, which was an average-sized, single-axle model. This is an impressive performance.