Electric Vehicles Explained: Your Guide To All Things EV - Macklin Motors
With over 46,300 now on our roads, electric vehicles (EVs) are all the rage. Though how do you decide if one is right for you? We’ve provided the ultimate guide with all you need to know about electric cars.
- Electric vehicle numbers continue to grow in Scotland, with over 46,300 at the end of March 2023.
- Government plans will see new petrol and diesel vehicles banned by 2035, to encourage EV sales and support the public charging network.
- Some motorists are reluctant to make the switch to electric despite the benefits, due to concerns about range, costs, or simply not having the knowledge about EVs.
- In this guide, we round up all you need to know about electric cars, from the different types available and how they work, to charging, maintenance - and everything in between.
Table of Contents
1. What are electric vehicles?
2. How do electric cars and vans work?
3. How much do electric vehicles cost?
4. What are electric vehicles like to drive?
8. Servicing and maintenance for EVs
9. Which electric vehicle is right for me?
Electric vehicles. You’ve heard a lot about them, read a lot about them, and probably seen a lot of them.
Though the discussion around EVs is now well and truly buzzing (pardon the pun!), some motorists are still undecided on whether to join the future of motoring.
That’s why we’re stripping it back to basics with a complete guide to electric vehicles. In this blog, read all you need to know about electric vehicles to help you decide whether they’re for you. We’ll take you through everything from the different types of electric vehicles available (breaking down all those different acronyms), to how they work, charging, costs, and finding the right one for you.
So, get comfortable and we’ll get started. In a hurry? Jump to the specific sections you need using the table of contents above!
What are electric vehicles?
As their name suggests, electric vehicles - both cars and vans - are powered by some form of electricity. An electric car usually consists of a rechargeable battery that powers an electric motor.
There are different types of EVs, with each electrically powered to a varying degree:
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) - also known as an Electric Vehicle (EV) this refers to vehicles powered solely by electricity.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) - A Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) uses a petrol or diesel engine combined with an electric motor that draws energy from a smaller battery. A system called regenerative braking helps this battery to recharge itself while you drive.
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) - MHEVs differ from normal HEVs because they cannot run on electric power alone whereas HEVs can. They work with a combination of petrol or diesel and electric power to provide better fuel economy.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) - PHEVs are similar to HEVs, combining some form of combustion engine with an electric motor. They often feature a larger, more powerful battery providing more electric range, though they will need to be plugged in to recharge.
How do electric cars and vans work?
Electric vehicles are usually powered by a lithium-ion battery. This sends energy to an electric motor, which is then converted into power and used to drive the wheels of the car.
Once the battery becomes low, the EV will then need to be plugged in to recharge if it is a fully electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Information on charging your EV will be covered in more depth later on!
Drivers of electric vehicles tend to enjoy a much smoother driving experience, as they produce more torque with power sent straight to the wheels for instant acceleration. One of the many benefits of driving an electric vehicle which we’ll also explore more in ‘Benefits of owning an EV’.
Electric vehicles also consist of far fewer parts than a traditionally powered vehicle. An EV’s main parts will include:
- A battery
- Electric motor
- Inverter
- Drivetrain
- Charger
EVs also differ from petrol or diesel cars as they produce zero tailpipe emissions since there is no burning of fuel. This is often beneficial to those living in congested cities, as they will not be required to pay Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charges.
The only drawback with electric vehicles? Since they use more advanced technology, they can often be more expensive to repair. One of the associated costs we’ll come onto next.
How much do electric cars cost?
As with anything you buy, the price of an electric car will depend on which one you buy, and where you buy it from.
At Macklin Motors, we offer competitive deals on our electric cars, with a variety of finance packages available to help suit your budget.
Depending on which make and model of electric car you choose, costs will vary. The ball-park figure for EVs in the UK however tends to be around £50,000 on average according to NimbleFins.
Here are some of the best electric cars in 2023 available at Macklin Motors with our competitive prices:
| Budget | Make | Model | Type | Our price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £20,000-£30,000 | MG | All-New MG4 EV | Electric | £26,425 |
| £20,000-£30,000 | PEUGEOT | e-2008 | Electric | £25,420 |
| £20,000-£30,000 | Renault | Megane E-Tech | Electric | £35,545 |
| £30,000-£40,000 | Mazda | MX-30 | Electric | £30,200 |
| £40,000-£50,000 | Hyundai | IONIQ 5 | Electric | £41,055 |
| £40,000-£50,000 | Nissan | ARIYA | Electric | £42,720 |
| £40,000-£50,000 | Kia | EV6 | Electric | £45,500 |
| £40,000-£50,000 | Vauxhall | Astra | Electric | £40,145 |
| £40,000-£50,000 | Toyota | bZ4X | Electric | £47,074 |
| £50,000-£60,000 | Ford | Mustang Mach-E | Electric | £50,759 |
Cheapest prices start at around the £25,000 mark while luxury models can see a price tag of over £60,000 or more.
*Prices correct at time of publication and indicate starting prices only. Prices may vary depending on trim and specification selected.
Not forgetting some of the most popular electric vans in 2023:
| Budget | Make | Model | Type | Our price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £40,000-£50,000 | Ford | E-Transit | Electric | £40,200 |
| £40,000-£50,000 | Vauxhall | Vivaro | Electric | £41,245 |
| £30,000-£40,000 | Toyota | Proace | Electric | £37,334 |
| £20,000-£30,000 | Nissan | Townstar | Electric | £27,995 |
| £30,000-£40,000 | PEUGEOT | E-Partner | Electric | £33,274 |
*Prices correct at time of publication and indicate starting prices only. Prices may vary depending on trim and specification selected.
Of course, you’ll also need to consider running costs such as charging when buying an EV. Plus, you’ll need to account for servicing and maintenance costs which we’ll take you through in ‘Maintenance for EVs’.
What are electric cars like to drive?
Although they use more advanced technology, electric cars are a lot more streamlined and easier to drive than their petrol or diesel alternatives.
The first thing you’ll notice when driving an electric car is that there’s one less pedal. Since there is no changing of gears required, EVs don’t have a clutch as they are automatic, leaving an accelerator and a brake pedal.
Another thing many motorists love about driving an EV is the lack of noise. With no engine gobbling up fuel, electric cars are much quieter to drive. So quiet in fact, that in 2019 EU law required all car manufacturers to fit some form of noise system in their EVs so that they could be heard by pedestrians.
When it comes to performance, electric cars are incredibly smooth. They offer instant torque thanks to the electric motor making them quick off the mark when accelerating, and when lifting off the throttle you’ll notice they often slow down quicker too.
This is because they use regenerative braking to harvest energy lost during deceleration and store this to help recharge the battery on the go.
Those who hate traffic will enjoy the smooth, stress-free glide of an EV in a slow-moving queue. No more dancing between first and second gears!
One important thing to note is that driving an EV will involve a change of mindset. You’ll go from filling up your petrol or diesel car once or twice a month to charging daily or weekly depending on how far you travel.
This is often considered a drawback to owning an EV, though with a little organisation beforehand and access to Scotland’s public charging network, it’s easily managed.
Benefits of owning an electric vehicle
Owning an electric vehicle brings you several benefits and perks, including:
- Zero road tax
- Free access to Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in major cities
- Fast, easy charging at over 4,000 charging points across Scotland
- Government grants and incentives to help with initial costs
- Smoother, automatic driving experience
- Zero tailpipe emissions
- No more filling up at the petrol station
How do you charge an electric vehicle?
As previously mentioned, charging is a big part of owning an EV and vital if you intend to drive it regularly.
There are different ways you can charge an electric vehicle depending on your needs and preferences. One of the great things about EVs is that they can be charged anywhere, including at home, work, and at public charging stations.
Often, it’s easier to use a dedicated EV charging bay when out and about, as you can leave your vehicle plugged in while you go to the shops or have a coffee break.
Note that you may need to bring your own Type 2 charging cable when charging at public stations. This will normally be supplied with your vehicle.
For home charging, it’s best to have off-street parking for your vehicle. You can then charge it using either a domestic three-pin plug or a wall-mounted charging box which you can have installed.
The time it takes to charge your EV will depend on where and how you charge it. Octopus Electric Vehicles estimates that home charging can take from 45 minutes to 12 hours depending on the size of the battery.
Most 7kWh chargers will usually take between 4-8 hours to charge, so home charging is a great option for giving your vehicle a boost overnight.
As for public charging, this will again depend on the speed of the charger you use. At most charging stations, you’ll find a mix of slow, fast, and rapid chargers.
Slow chargers typically offer between 2.4-6kW power and can take anywhere from 12 hours and beyond to charge your vehicle.
Fast chargers are usually between 7-22kW in power and can charge compatible vehicles in 1-5 hours depending on the size of the battery and speed of the charger.
As their name suggests, rapid chargers will charge your vehicle the quickest. They usually offer much more power at 50kW and above and can charge your battery up to 80% in as little as 30 minutes. So when you’re on the go, you’ll want to look for rapid chargers as these will get you back on the road sooner.
Generally, it’s most effective to give your vehicle regular top-ups instead of letting the battery run low. This will remove any worries about range and also help you enhance the lifespan of your battery.
What about costs? Again, this will vary depending on how you choose to charge your vehicle. At home, it’s estimated this could cost you around £15.10 according to Pod Point, though you can reduce this by scheduling charging to take advantage of off-peak tariffs.
Most motorway service stations will charge around £6.50 for a 90-mile charge, though many supermarkets and others may offer up to 30 minutes or so of charging for free.
What are the associated costs of running an EV?
When it comes to keeping your EV running, the main things you’ll need to cover are:
- Insurance
- Charging costs
- Servicing and maintenance
- Road tax (for hybrid vehicles)
You can save on insurance by shopping around for the cheapest plan. Your insurance premium is determined by the insurance group the vehicle falls into. You can read more about this in our handy guide to car insurance groups.
For hybrid vehicles, you’ll also need to consider fuel costs. Though these should be far less than with a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle, as the combination of electric and petrol power helps take the weight off the engine.
As for servicing and maintenance, you should also be able to enjoy lower costs in this area which we’ll come onto next.
Servicing and maintenance for EVs
Like all vehicles on the road, EVs will also require regular servicing and maintenance to ensure they are working efficiently.
Since they have fewer parts, this should be relatively simple. The only thing that may require specialist attention (and cost you more) is if there are any issues with your electric battery. This will require dedicated EV technicians and diagnostic technology to assess and correct the issue.
As for maintenance, looking after your EV is simple and there are a few things you can do here, such as:
- Minimise rapid charging - prolonged use can sometimes reduce your battery’s lifespan
- Aim to stay between 20-80% charged - charging your battery up to full capacity all of the time will not help to prolong its lifespan and can make it work less effectively. Instead, try to keep it between this range for normal everyday driving
- Save full charging for longer trips - when going on a longer journey, make sure to charge your battery up to full in order to maximise electric range
- Drive short and often - shorter, more frequent trips are normally considered less efficient in a petrol or diesel car. However, driving short and often in an EV will help keep things running smoothly
- Avoid leaving it parked in one place for too long - this can help to avoid deflation in your tyres which is a key contributor to a comfortable, efficient drive
Wondering how long your EV’s battery will last? According to Smart Home Charge, battery health decreases by about 10% every five or six years.
Current predictions state that EV batteries should last for around 10 years (or 100,000 miles), which is similar to the lifespan of a petrol or diesel car. Since they have fewer moving parts which can wear out over time, some sources even predict EVs lasting as long as 20 years.
Which electric vehicle is right for me?
Ultimately, the answer depends on your individual preferences as a driver.
New to electric vehicles and wondering which one is right for you? At Macklin Motors we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking for your first car or the perfect family car with your electric vehicle, we’ll be happy to lend our expertise.
To get started, why not use our lifestyle search to see which vehicles best meet your needs? Choose your preferred brands and models, budget, and fuel type, and tailor your search in a few simple steps.
You can also contact us to speak to a member of our friendly team for any advice or assistance you may need.
For more information on electric vehicles, head to our electric vehicle hub page and learn all about the differences between electric and hybrid cars, reasons to go electric, and frequently asked questions (FAQs).