Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more mainstream for drivers and thousands are choosing to make the switch from a petrol or diesel engine to an electric car. One of the most daunting parts of changing to an EV is the charging aspect that comes with them.
At Pure Vehicle Leasing, we are experts in all kinds of vehicles, including EVs, and we have put together this guide to cover everything you need to know about electric car charging. If you are wondering how long it takes to charge an electric car, or what is the longest range electric car, you have come to the right place.
One of the most common questions about EVs is ‘How long does it take to charge an electric car?’. There is no one answer to this question, as the charging time for an EV will vary depending on a number of different factors. The most important things to consider are the make and model of the vehicle, and the type of charging point being used.
Electric vehicles can take as little as 30 minutes or over 12 hours to charge, which is quite a difference to consider. The bigger the battery in the car, and the slower the charger you are using, the longer it will take to reach full charge. For example, a typical EV has a 60kW battery and will charge in around eight hours using a 7kW charge point. A rapid charger at 50kW can give you 100 miles of charge in just 30 minutes.
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To understand how long it takes to charge an electric car, you need to understand the different types of chargers available:
Many drivers considering an EV ask ‘What is the range of an electric car?’, and it is important to understand this, so you are not caught short on your journeys. Range anxiety is a real fear for some drivers and it comes about from when electric cars first hit our roads. The range of an EV has improved dramatically in recent years, and now not only do cars have a longer range, but charging points are more frequent and readily available.
The exact range of an electric car will depend on the make and model, as well as how you drive it. To help you understand the kind of range you can expect when you lease an electric car, we are looking into the longest-range electric car manufacturers:
The range is based on the manufacturer’s specifications, but it is important to remember that real world driving can differ from this.
Electric cars are impacted by various different conditions during real world driving, and these can affect both the range and charging speed. Some of the conditions which affect range and charging speed in an EV are:
It should be noted that all the above factors also affect the range of petrol and diesel vehicles as well as electric vehicles.
The cost of charging an electric car is an important consideration when deciding if this kind of vehicle is the right option for you. The cost of fully charging an EV will vary depending on the battery size, type of charger and charging location. Charging an EV is always cheaper than filling up a tank with petrol or diesel.
A lot of people want to know ‘How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home in the UK?’ and this comes down to the electricity supplier, charge point type and size of EV. Typically, it costs between £8 and £9 to fully charge an EV at home. If you have a 60kW electric car, you can expect to pay £9 to fully charge which will give you roughly 200 miles of range. Some electricity tariffs are designed with home EV charging in mind, and can reduce the cost of fully charging a vehicle to less than £5.
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You will find charge points for EVs at all major service stations in motorways up and down the country. At these service stations you are likely to see rapid chargers as opposed to slow chargers. Most supermarkets and large shopping centres now have electric car charging stations in their car parks, for customers to use while they shop. Many other businesses such as hotels, restaurants and leisure centres are choosing to install electric charge points in their premises.
The majority of those who drive electric cars rely on charging at night time in their private homes. This means the vehicle can charge overnight and be ready to use in the morning, making it a convenient option. Not only that, but charging overnight is often the cheapest time.
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It is easy to get an EV charge point installed in a private home and the UK Government offers financial support for those who want to have their own charging station at home. This is called the EV Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), and it covers a certain amount of the installation cost. There are hundreds of accredited charge point installers across the country and over 40 manufacturers making home chargers. Please note that the EVHS is subject to end April 2022.
A lot of companies are installing electric charging points at their business premises, allowing people to charge their vehicles at work. Some companies allow free charging for employees, while others opt to charge for this service.
The Government supports charging at business locations with their Workplace Charging Scheme, covering 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points, up to £350 per charge point installed. If you are a business, offering charge points at your premises can be an excellent employee benefit which will only continue to grow in importance.
There are various public EV charge points across the country and these work across a range of networks. The majority of the networks available offer rapid, fast and slow charging options, so you can choose the right one for you. Public EV charge point networks, include:
Every public EV charge point will have a slightly different pricing structure, so it is important to check the cost before charging.
For more information on EV charging, or if you are ready to lease an electric car, get in touch with Pure Vehicle Leasing.
