EV Charging At Next

An electric car, also known as an electric vehicle (EV), is a vehicle powered by electricity stored in batteries. It uses an electric motor to propel the vehicle, eliminating the need for traditional combustion engines that rely on petrol or diesel

Electric cars store electricity in onboard batteries. When you plug the car into a charging station, the batteries are charged. The electric motor then uses this stored energy to power the wheels allowing the car to move.

Electric cars offer several benefits, including reduced greenhouse emissions, lower fueling costs, quieter operation, and potentially lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts

You can charge an electric car at home using a standard electric outlet or a dedicated home charging station. 

The UK primarilly uses two types of connectors

• Type 2 (Known as Mennekes) for slower charging

• CCS (Combined charging system) for both slow and fast charging

Tesla vehicles use their own proprietary connector, but adapters are available for Tesla owners to use other charging stations

How long it takes to charge an EV car depends on the car’s battery size, how many miles you do between charges, your charging behaviour and the power rating of the charger you are using. 

• SLOW - Usually rated up to 3kW and is mainly used to charge overnight at home. Typically takes 8-10 hours to fully charge

• FAST- Rated at either 7kW or 22kW, these units are normally found in supermarkets and workplace car parks. These units typically take 3-4 hours to fully charge a vehicle

• RAPID - Typically rated from 43kW and generally found at service stations and petrol stations. These chargers take between 30 and 60 minutes to fully charge but it only compatible with vehicles that have rapid-charging functionality 

Range anxiety refers to the fear of running out of battery power before reaching your destination or a charging station. This concern is decreasing as electric car technology advances

The UK Government offers incentives such as the plug-in car grant, which provides a discount on the cost of new eligible electric cars.

Modern electric cars offer varying ranges, with many models having sufficient range for everyday driving and even long trips. With the growing charging infrastructure, planning routes with charging stops has become easier, making long journeys feasible for electric car owners.

The charging time varies depending on the chargers power output and the cars battery capacity.

Rapid charging stations can provide a 80% charge in as little as 30 minutes. Additionally, charging at home overnight could provide a full charge each morning without the need for long waits

Electric cars are known for their instant torque, which provides quick acceleration and a responsive driving experience. Many electric cars offer impressive performance, and some high-performance electric models can outpace their petrol / diesel counterparts

While extreme cold can affect battery effiency to some extent, modern electric cars are designed to perform well in a range of temperatures. preconditioning features allow you to warm up the cabin while the car is still charging, helping to conserve battery energy

Electric cars are subject to teh same rigorous safety standards as traditional vehicles. Manufacturers implement safety measures to protect the battery and passengers in case of accidents. In some cases, electric cars have been shown to have lower fire risk compared to petrol / diesel cars

While home charging is convenient, it's not the only option. Public charging stations, workplace charging, and community charging solutions are becoming more common, making it possible for people without a garage or drive way to charge an electric car

While the upfront cost of electric can be higher, over time, electric cars can be more cost effective due to lower fuelling and maintenance costs