Every day we’re edging closer to electric cars dominating the car industry (and the world). Manufacturers are constantly bringing out new and updated EV (electric vehicle) models, offering plenty of choice to those looking to make the switch. While many have already made the jump to cleaner driving, we know there are lots of people who want to buy an electric car but aren’t sure where to start.
Adapting to this new all-electric world can seem daunting at first, especially when there are so many different types of plug-in vehicles. Without further ado, let’s jump into everything you need to know before choosing to buy an electric car!
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs)
When you hear the word ‘battery electric vehicle’ it refers to a vehicle that runs purely on electricity which is stored in a removable battery. As there is no conventional internal combustion engine, you obviously don’t need to fill up the vehicle with either petrol or diesel.
Instead, when your vehicle starts to run out of juice, you’ll simply need to plug it in to a charge station. When you buy an electric car, you’ll receive the charging cables to your vehicle free of charge from the manufacturer.
Depending on where you want to charge your vehicle, you’ll want to have a look at having a charging station fitted at your home. Some manufacturers do provide these when you buy an electric car, but you might have to seek one out yourself.
If you’re interested in how an electric vehicle performs, compared to a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle, we think you might be surprised! Without a combustion engine, manufacturers are no longer limited in design.
The electric battery is usually fitted underneath the vehicle’s flooring, which distributes the vehicle’s weight perfectly. Meanwhile, driving a BEV is noticeably quieter than driving a petrol or diesel-powered vehicle!
Most electric vehicles come with regenerative braking which slows the vehicle down as the driver takes their foot off the accelerator. Plus, the regenerative braking system is able to reuse the power used and put it back into the battery. This will add a few miles to your vehicle’s range, which means it will travel further!
Speaking of range, this is probably the most important part of any electric vehicle. An electric vehicle’s range is how far it can travel before needing to be charged again. This will vary from vehicle to vehicle, however most EVs now have over 200 miles of range.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs)
A plug-in hybrid vehicle is powered by both a medium-sized electric battery as well as a petrol or diesel engine. These vehicles are not pure electric and therefore do produce emissions, although less than a typical petrol vehicle would.
Plug-in hybrids have a smaller battery than BEVs, which means they have a smaller range (when using just the electric battery). Typically, these vehicles can travel up to 60 miles on electric power alone. After this, the traditional petrol or diesel engine takes over and runs as normal.
Now, most manufacturers will offer plug-in hybrid versions of their most popular models. Meanwhile some manufacturers, such as Toyota, have a plug-in hybrid alternative for every model in their range.
Choosing between a plug-in hybrid and an all-electric BEV is a personal choice, which is likely to be influenced by your driving and lifestyle needs. Plug-in hybrids are typically considered the first step towards an electric future as they produce low emissions while offering the security of a conventional engine as a backup. However, many drivers decided to embrace all-electric driving and enjoy the benefits.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles include; Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, Mercedes C 300 e and the Volvo XC60 Recharge.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
Hybrid electric vehicles are very similar to PHEVs, but slightly different. HEVs have an electric battery that drives the engine but this is not rechargeable by an external source of electricity.
They’re also known as self changing hybrid vehicles as they use the electric battery to get up to 15-20mph before switching to the internal combustion engine. The combustion engine is then used to propel the generator while traveling, generative electricity and saving it within the batteries for later.
All energy for the battery is gained through the regenerative braking system, which recoups otherwise lost energy in braking. In a traditional petrol or diesel engine vehicle, this braking energy is normally lost as heat in the brake pads and rotors.
Buy an electric car from EV Sales
If you’re ready to buy an electric car, you’re in the right place! Here at EV Sales, we have a bunch of brilliant new and second hand electric vehicles available right now. We’re dedicated to supporting the environment in any way we can, that’s why we only stock pure electric vehicles.
We currently have a range of Tesla, Vauxhall and Renault models available to suit your needs. Plus, we are constantly adding new EVs to our stocklist so keep your eyes out for more vehicles soon!
All electric vehicles from EV Sales come with:
- 1 month warranty
- One registered keeper
- UK home delivery available
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All information correct as of 12/01/2022.
