Electric and hybrid FAQs

Only if you need to. Otherwise, charge your EV according to your needs. Unnecessary overcharging will cause the battery to deteriorate more quickly than it otherwise would.​

Yes. Electric cars use single-gear automatic transmission.​

EVs are fitted with single-gear automatic transmission.​

You can charge an EV with a portable charger. However, at present, these are very expensive. In any case, with more than 38,000 public charging connectors around the UK, there’s really no need.​

A single gear, yes.​

It depends where the charger is located. If it’s situated within a carpark that normally charges to park, you may have to pay a parking fee. That said, the majority of public access points don’t charge for parking. ​

This depends on the car. The Renault ZOE, for example, takes approximately 36 minutes to charge (20% to 80%) at a rapid-charging (50 kW) station.​

This will vary from vehicle to vehicle. For instance the Kia EV6 is capable of a maximum 328-mile range.​

Hybrid cars are self-charging. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), on the other hand, require external charging. Timescales will vary depending on the vehicle. For example, the Mazda CX-60 PHEV’s battery takes about 90 minutes to go from 20% to 80% when using a fast-charging (7 kW) domestic wallbox.​

Per kWh, a battery in 2010 cost roughly £763. In 2021, the price fell to about £87. In 2023, the estimated average price for a battery is just shy of £5,400. However It’s worth noting that most car manufacturers provide an eight-year (100,000 miles) battery warranty.​

No. Electricity isn’t free. However, in relative terms, it’s cheaper to charge a car than it is to top it up with petrol/diesel. ​

It’s powered by an electric motor which is provided energy by a high-capacity battery which requires manual charging (at home, at work or with a public connector).​

This will vary from car to car. However, electric cars are cheaper to run than their combustion-engined counterparts.​

It’s a process that feeds energy back into a hybrid or electric system. Hybrid vehicles, for instance, rely chiefly on regenerative braking to recharge the battery.​

The average distance is about 180 miles.​

• At home – using a standard three-pin (3 kW) power source or a dedicated fast-charging (7 kW) wallbox.
• At work – many employers offer this facility.
• Out and about – there are more than 38,000 public charging devices around the UK.

Range varies from car to car. The Renault Megane E-Tech, for example, is capable of a 280-mile range.​

Actually, they’re less likely to go wrong because an electric drivetrain is made up of fewer working parts than a traditional combustion engine.​

An electric car is 100% electric. A plug-in hybrid vehicle runs mainly on fuel but can run for 25 miles (on average) using electric power only. Most hybrid cars can’t run solely on electricity (the motor/battery is there merely to assist the combustion engine).​

Undoubtedly, more EVs will come to Motability. At the moment, several Honda, Kia, Mazda and Renault electric and hybrid vehicles are available through Motability at Brayleys.​

Not unless you’re a qualified electrician with specific EV charger knowledge.​

Around 5-10% per month. Whatever the increase, it won’t cost as much as it does to fill up a car with fuel.​

Just the one.​

They tend to, yes. This is because an electric drivetrain doesn’t have as many working parts as a regular combustion engine.​

Oil (for transmission) and coolant (to chill the battery) will need to be topped up (and changed, but less often than with a regular car). Since electric and hybrid cars use regenerative braking, brake pad and disc wear-and-tear isn’t as much of an issue as it is with combustion-engined vehicles – but they will need replacing every now and then. In most other respects, the service is the same.​

EVs are more expensive than regular cars – but prices are coming down all the time. Please check our electric and hybrid ranges to discover current vehicle costs.​

Electric vehicle insurance differs little from regular car insurance. The main distinction is damage to and/or cover against battery damage.​

The bigger the battery, the longer the range. If you have a particular EV in mind, please click on the model on our website to learn about how far it can travel.​

Extreme heat or cold tends to affect range. For instance, if it's very cold outside, you’re more likely to raise the cabin temperature, which will drain battery power. The same applies to hot weather and air conditioning.​

Apart from extreme temperatures, the main detriment to EV range is frequent, full-throttle acceleration. Strong wind can have an impact too, by causing greater resistance which requires the powertrain to work harder. Old or worn tires will almost certainly impact battery efficiency. Also, the more weight an EV carries, the harder the powertrain will have to work to compensate.​