Electric vehicles

Supporting your transition to EVs

Whether you are currently driving an electric car, or considering switching to an one, there are a whole host of benefits and other things to consider in the maintenance of the vehicle. Read on to find out how to get the most out of your EV once you have switched.

Are you ready to switch to an electric vehicle?

Is an EV right for you?

Fuel cost calculator

EV ICE Comparator

Home charger evaluation

Getting the most out of your EV

Read the driver manual to understand your BEV
While a 3 Pin Plug can charge your vehicle, using a Type 2 charge point with 3.7kW to 7kW supply is recommended
For long journeys, plan charging using apps like Plug Share or Chargemap
Range and energy use are affected by driving style and conditions (extreme weather, terrain)
Avoid rapid acceleration, slow down, and use the Economy mode
Maintain tyre pressure as per manufacturer’s recommendation
Limit heating/AC use; precondition your vehicle if possible
Minimise DC charger use for optimal battery health

Optimising battery life

The lifespan of your BEV’s battery depends on mileage and care, but you can help preserve it by:

Keeping charge levels between 20% and 80%
Limiting rapid charger use, which harms battery life
Parking in cool, shaded areas or a garage on hot days to prevent overheating and damage
Avoiding aggressive acceleration to reduce battery wear

Types of charging connectors

Type 1
Type 1 connectors have five pins and are mainly used in North America, while Type 2 connectors are more common in the UK. However, some older BEVs use the Type 1 connector.
Type 1 connectors support only AC (Alternating Current) slow and fast charging and are not suitable for rapid charging. If your BEV has a Type 1 connector, you can use an adapter to charge at untethered public charging points, which do not have a permanently attached cable.
Type 2
Type 2 connectors have seven pins and are the most common connector used in Europe and can be locked to the BEV during charging.
They are suitable for slow and fast charging, but can sometimes be used for rapid charging, subject to your BEV's compatibility.
CHAdeMO connector
Developed in Japan, CHAdeMO stands for ‘Charge de Move’ and was among the first DC rapid charging systems, though CCS connectors are more common in Europe
CHAdeMO uses two connection points: one for slow/fast charging with Type 1 or Type 2, and one for rapid charging.
Combined Combination System (CCS)
CCS connectors combine either a Type 1 or Type 2 connector with a two-pin DC (Direct Current) connector and 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.
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.

How long will it take to charge my vehicle?

Charging time depends on your vehicle’s make, battery size, and the charging point’s power. A typical BEV with a 60kWh battery takes just under 8 hours to fully charge on a 7kW charger. Many drivers prefer topping up regularly rather than waiting for the battery to be nearly empty.

Charging can be done at home or public stations. In the UK, more charging points are appearing at supermarkets, shopping centres, and service stations, allowing charging on the go.

Charging station types:

Standard/Slow: Up to 3 kilowatts (kW) of AC charge, taking 6-12 hours for BEVs, 2-4 hours for PHEVs.
Fast: 7kW- 22kW (AC), charging BEVs in 2-10 hours
Rapid: 25kW-99kW (DC), charging BEVs to 80% in 1-1.5 hours
Ultra-Rapid: 100kW+ (DC), charging compatible BEVs to 80% in under an hour

A common three-pin socket can serve as an emergency ‘back-up’ when no EV charge point is available

Find your nearest charger with Zapmap

EV Maintenance

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) have fewer moving parts than petrol/diesel cars, so they need less maintenance. For example, they lack exhausts, gears, and there's no oil to be changed.

BEVs use a more efficient, regenerative braking, which recovers energy when slowing down, reducing brake wear.

Service intervals vary by manufacturer but are typically every 1–2 years. BEV servicing differs from petrol/diesel vehicles since no oil or filter changes are needed, making BEV services generally cheaper.

Want to learn more about Electric Vehicles?

Visit the Ayvens EV FAQ page