Electric vehicles

Question 1

Are Battery Electric Vehicles better for the environment?

ald · Accepted Answer

It is generally considered that Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are much kinder to the environment than standard petrol or diesel vehicles, as they emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants.

The production of BEVs does use more energy than petrol or diesel models. However, BEVs are still understood to be a more environmentally friendly option, as they produce fewer emissions over the vehicle’s lifetime. BEVs run on electricity and, on average, are believed to produce half the amount of carbon emissions throughout their lifetime compared to standard petrol or diesel vehicles.

Question 2

Does a Battery Electric Vehicle need different maintenance to standard petrol/diesel vehicles?

ald · Accepted Answer

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) have fewer moving parts than standard petrol/diesel vehicles, which means they don’t require the same level of maintenance. For example, BEVs don’t have exhausts or gears and there’s no oil to be changed.

BEVs’ braking systems are also more efficient, due to regenerative braking, which converts the energy lost when the vehicle slows down back into energy stored in the battery. If used correctly, you should experience less wear and tear on your brakes.

While BEVs still require services, the intervals will vary depending on the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Most BEVs require a service every one to two years. The process for servicing a BEV is different to a standard petrol/diesel vehicle, as oil and filter changes aren’t required. Due to this, BEV services are generally considered to cost less than servicing a standard petrol or diesel vehicle.

Question 3

How do I get the most out of my Battery Electric Vehicle?

ald · Accepted Answer

How to understand your/your company's Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) better.

- Read the driver manual – this may be digital – take time to understand it and see how your BEV works
- Home charging - While there is the capability to use a 3 Pin Plug to charge your electric vehicle, it is recommended you use a Type 2 charge point with a 3.7kW to 7kW supply wherever possible.
- When setting off on a long journey, you will need to plan your charging into your journey. You can use apps such as Plug Share or Chargemap to help you allocate charging on your journey
- You put in your postcode, and it displays charge points found in the surrounding area as icons. These icons are coloured differently based on their rate of charge. You can click on each of the icons to find out who operates it and how much it costs to charge from there
- Your range and energy consumption can be negatively impacted by driving style and environmental conditions (such as exceptionally cold or hot weather and driving terrain). To maximise your range:

- Avoid frequent rapid acceleration and slow down

- Use the Economy setting recommended by the manufacturer

- Keep your tyres at the manufacturer's recommended inflation pressures

- Limit the use of your heating system/air conditioning. You can precondition some vehicles prior to setting off on your journey

- Minimise the use of DC chargers (such as fast chargers) for optimal battery health

Question 4

How long will it take to charge my Battery Electric Vehicle?

ald · Accepted Answer

The amount of time it takes to charge is dependent on the make and model of your Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), how big your BEV’s battery is, and the power of the charging point being used. A typical BEV (60kWh battery) takes just under 8 hours to charge from empty to full using a 7kW charging point. However, many drivers choose to regularly top up charge rather than wait for their battery to become almost empty before recharging.

Charging a BEV can be done at home or at a public charging station. In the UK, we are seeing a rise in convenient charging points located at supermarkets, shopping centres and service stations, meaning you can charge your BEV when you’re out on the road.

Types of charging stations:

- Standard/Slow: Up to 3 kilowatts (kW) of AC charge. These usually take around 6 to 12 hours to fully charge a BEV or about 2 to 4 hours for a PHEV
- Fast: Between 7kW and 22kW (AC). These can usually fully charge a BEV in around 2 to 10 hours
- Rapid: Between 25kW and 99kW (DC). These can usually charge a BEV up to 80% in about 1 to 1.5 hours
- Ultra-Rapid: 100kW and over (DC). Generally, these can charge compatible BEVs up to 80% in less than an hour
- You can also use a common three-pin socket as an emergency ‘back-up’, allowing for emergency charging when an EV charge point isn’t available

Question 5

How many miles can I drive on a fully charged battery?

ald · Accepted Answer

How far a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) can travel on a fully charged battery is referred to as the BEV’s range. The range of your BEV will depend on many factors and varies depending on the BEV make and model.

Battery size isn’t the only factor that affects the range of a BEV. Other factors that can affect the range include:

- Driving speed - driving fast or aggressive accelerating will decrease the range
- Temperature - if it is cold outside or in extreme heat, the battery will lose some range
- Electrical-powered features - using the heating/air conditioning or other electrical-powered features while driving the BEV will draw power from the battery and reduce the range

Question 6

How much will it cost to install a charging point at my home?

ald · Accepted Answer

The cost of installing a home charging point will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the voltage of the charger and the complexity of the installation. The average cost of purchasing and installing a home charging point is typically around £1,000. However, for an accurate price, you should arrange for an installer to provide you with a quote.

You can see some examples of the different types of charging points available and the typical costs (excluding installation), below:

**Charger Voltage Typical Cost**
 3kW  - £375 (excluding installation)
 7kW -  £625 (excluding installation)

The higher voltage the charging point, the less time it takes to fully charge the vehicle. Although higher voltage charging points cost more to install, they provide quicker charging and therefore save time.

Although there are restrictions on who can apply, the Government’s EV chargepoint grant could provide you with either £350 or 75% off the cost to buy and install a charging point, whichever amount is lower. You can find out about eligibility requirements and [how to apply here](targetSelf:https://www.gov.uk/electric-vehicle-chargepoint-grant-household).

Question 7

What are the different charging connectors for Battery Electric Vehicles?

ald · Accepted Answer

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) typically use charging cables with two connectors, one that plugs into the BEV (much like a car fuel tank slot) and the other into the charging point itself.

There are multiple different charging connectors available. The type of connector your BEV uses will depend on the make and model of your BEV. You can find information about the most common types of connectors by clicking on the drop-down options below.

**Type 1**

Type 1 connectors have five pins and are mainly used in North America. In the UK, Type 2 connectors are more common. However, some older BEVs use the Type 1 connector.

Type 1 connectors are only suitable for AC (Alternating Current) slow and fast charging and are not suitable for rapid charging. If your BEV uses a Type 1 connector, you should be able to use an adapter to charge your BEV at untethered public charging points. An untethered charging point does not have a permanently attached cable.

**Type 2**

Type 2 connectors have seven pins and are the most common connector used in Europe. These connectors can be locked to the BEV during charging.

Type 2 connectors are suitable for slow and fast charging, however in some cases can also be used for rapid charging. You’ll need to check if rapid charging through a Type 2 connector is compatible with your specific BEV.

**Combined Combination System (CCS)**

CCS connectors combine either a Type 1 or Type 2 connector with a two-pin DC (Direct Current) connector. These are the most common type of connector used for DC rapid charging. The majority
 of new BEVs are fitted with CCS connectors, allowing you to charge your BEV at both public rapid charging points and a home AC charging point.

**CHAdeMO Connector**

Developed in Japan, CHAdeMO stands for ‘Charge de Move’. This type of connector was one of the first DC rapid charging systems, however CCS connectors are more common in Europe.
 CHAdeMO connectors require two separate connection points, one for slow/fast charging using either a Type 1 or Type 2 connector and one for rapid charging.

**Domestic Connectors**

The majority of BEVs can be charged using a standard domestic three-pin connector, however this type of charging is only recommended for emergency use.

Question 8

What is a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)?

ald · Accepted Answer

A Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that exclusively uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, with no secondary source of propulsion such as petrol or diesel. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of conventional internal combustion engines.

**Driving a BEV**

Electric motors do not require gears. Instead, the motor spins in one direction to go forwards, and the other to go backwards and therefore there are no gears to navigate.

Most BEVs are equipped with a built-in energy capture system: regenerative braking. Every time you lift off the throttle or push the brake pedal, the car not only slows down, but also tops up the battery a little.

The towing capacity of BEVs is more limited than conventional vehicles, however this is improving as BEVs become more advanced. If you plan on using your BEV for towing, you should check your specific BEV’s towing capacity. This information is often available through the BEV manufacturer’s website or in your BEV’s handbook.

**Apps and memberships**

Most BEVs come with their own monitoring apps produced by the manufacturer.

There are various charging networks and, currently, cash payments are not accepted. Whilst some charging networks allow you to pay by credit or debit card at the charger itself, the majority of charging networks require you to either download an app, go to a website or have a prepaid card to use the charger.

Question 9

What safety measures are in place for Battery Electric Vehicles?

ald · Accepted Answer

Motor industry regulation means that Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) must pass rigorous safety checks, including a crash test, watertight test, immersion test and combustion test. Most BEVs also undergo the Euro NCAP assessment; a car safety protocol providing a rating out of 5 stars.

BEVs are designed to be structurally robust with many safety precautions, including multiple airbags and crumple zones to absorb impact. As there is no need for an internal combustion engine or related components, the extra space should make it safer for the driver and passengers.

There are also measures in place to help prevent battery fires. The battery itself is protected against external damage and located away from potential impact areas. Furthermore, a safety system is in place which should automatically isolate the battery in the event of substantial impact. If such an event were to occur, the BEV’s sensors should detect the level of impact and disconnect the power

Question 10

Will I be able to charge my Battery Electric Vehicle abroad?

ald · Accepted Answer

If you’re planning on traveling outside of the UK in your Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), it is recommended that you research the BEV facilities available, both on your route and when you arrive at your destination.

There are over 150,000 public charging points across Europe. However, as with the UK, there are many different network providers. You can use apps such as Plug Share or Chargemap to find information such as:

- Charging point locations
- Charging point connector types
- Charge speeds
- Payment methods

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