If you’re considering an electric vehicle for the first time, you might be confused by the terminology you’re faced with. A summary of the commercially available electric car types is as follows:
Future Electric Vehicles Product Page
For more info about these vehicles, read our guide to the different types of electric vehicles.
These are exciting times for EVs with the number of vehicles available increasing rapidly – and new models launched almost weekly.
Some popular models you’ve probably seen on our roads include the Audi E-tron, BMW i4, Citroën e-C4, Fiat 500e, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Honda e, Jaguar I-Pace, Kia e-Niro, Mazda MX-30, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Mini Electric, Nissan Leaf, Peugeot e-208, Polestar 2, Porsche Taycan, Renault Zoe E-Tech Electric, Skoda Enyaq, Tesla Model 3, Vauxhall Corsa-e, Volkswagen ID.3 and Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Here’s an up to date look at all the latest electric, hybrid and plug-in car reviews. We review used EVs, hybrids and PHEVs too.
We’re tracking the UK’s adoption of EVs on our 'Road to Electric' page; it breaks down the number of electric vehicles on our roads by the different types mentioned above.
New EVs can be bought from vehicle dealerships or leased through leasing companies in the same way as conventional cars.
Tesla is an exception in that it does not have a traditional dealer network and most sales are online. Other manufacturers are considering this sales model, too, and already sell cars online.
Used EVs can also be bought through traditional vehicle sales outlets including franchised and independent dealers.
If you’re buying a used EV, look for a retailer certified for its EV knowledge and excellence through the Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme.
This scheme is operated by the National Franchised Dealers Association and is approved by the Energy Saving Trust, which audits the retailers, and by the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.
Some people buy electric cars because they’re fascinated by the tech (we’re looking at you, Tesla owners), while others base their decision on an ethical desire to ‘go green’.
For most of us, though, an electric car needs to make financial sense, which means considering the costs.
EVs generally have higher purchase costs prices than their petrol and diesel competitors. But EV running costs are lower, as fuel, tax and maintenance are all, generally, significantly cheaper.
The cheapest new EVs currently available in the UK start at around £21,000 once the government funded purchase grant has been deducted. Used EVs can be purchased in the UK from as low as £4,500.
As with conventional cars, buying second-hand is a much cheaper option, but then you’ll have to consider a potentially slightly deteriorated battery life. And buying a new battery is nearly tantamount to a write-off.
Generally, EV batteries have a long life, and degradation is minor. There will be a gradual reduction in capacity and range after many years, however. Here’s more info on EV battery life.
You’re not spoilt for choice, either, as there are far fewer pure electric cars for sale second-hand than petrol and diesel models.
The Nissan Leaf is the most common used EV, followed by the Renault Zoe.
Electric car leasing is often a much more affordable option for those looking to make the switch. Find out why in our EV leasing guide.
If we ignore the two-seat Renault Twizy (technically a quadricycle, rather than a car), you’re looking at the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, BMW i3, Smart EQ ForTwo amongst a few others.
We've got a rundown of the best new and used EVs for those on a budget. Read our cheapest electric cars guide.
Today most EVs have owned, not leased batteries. Until a few years ago leasing the batteries was more common.
This was mainly to de-risk the process for EV purchasers, since if a battery failed or suffered a major loss of performance it would be replaced under the lease agreement. Leasing EV batteries also helps keep purchase costs down.
Used EV buyers are more likely to come across leased batteries – some of the earlier Leafs and Zoes have them. If you buy a used EV with leased batteries, you also need to sign a battery lease contract with the relevant car manufacturer.
EVs typically have between five and eight years’ (or 100,000 miles) warranty on the electric motor and battery components, which includes a performance guarantee to deliver around 70% of their original charge capacity.
For the rest of the car, the length of warranty depends on the manufacturer. It ranges from three years and 60,000 miles to seven years and 100,000 miles.
Fuel costs are much lower for EVs than for conventionally fuelled vehicles. The cost to charge an EV depends on the size of the battery and where you’re charging it.
Drivers that are able to charge at their workplace usually also receive free charging and there is no benefit-in-kind liability associated with this.
Check out our in-depth guide to electric car running costs.
Compared with petrol and diesel vehicles, EV servicing and maintenance costs are considerably lower.
This is because electric motors contain many fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines. In addition, EVs don’t have other familiar car parts like a gearbox, clutch, exhaust, catalytic converter or starter motor.
Even the brake pads and discs receive much less wear and tear because much of an EV’s braking is achieved through regenerative braking.
Nissan says servicing a Leaf costs just £27 a month.
Read our EV maintenance, service and repairs guide.
Like all cars, EVs have to pass an annual MOT test after they are three years old. The main difference is there is no emissions test.
The maximum car MOT test fee is £54.85, but many garages will undercut this.
Find a reliable garage with our RAC Approved Garages search tool.
Electric cars have only sold in significant numbers since around , but evidence suggests they are very dependable.
A What Car? survey found faults occurred on just 5% of Tesla Model 3s, and the reliability of several other popular EVs also rates in the high 90s.2
For example, the Hyundai Kona Electric was rated as 98.5% reliable, the BMW i3 as 97.9%, the Nissan Leaf as 97.2% and the Jaguar I-Pace as 97%.
Electric cars still need regular servicing according to the manufacturer’s schedule, although there are fewer parts to fix.
Until the battery needs replacement, your biggest outlay is likely to be new tyres.
And in terms of ‘more tech’, many issues will likely be software-related. These can be fixed remotely ‘over the air’ by some EV manufacturers.
An electric car should be serviced at a dealer that sells new EVs or a non-franchised service outlet where the technicians have been trained in high voltage system service and repair.
Insurance ratings – and thus costs – for electric cars tend to be slightly higher than for petrol or diesel equivalents. However, you may be able to negotiate a limited-mileage policy to keep costs down.
If you lease a battery, it remains the property of the car manufacturer, so your insurance company should be informed.
Read our full guide to EV car insurance.
EVs are more reliable than conventional vehicles, but some parts can still cause breakdowns – such as tyres and the 12 volt starter battery.
From mobile recharging to all-wheels-up rapid deployment trailers, we do more than any other breakdown provider to keep you and your EV on the road. Read more about our EV breakdown cover options here.
Charging your electric car can be done at home, at work or at a public charging point.
However, the world of EV charging can be complicated. There are different rates, charging speeds, voltages, battery sizes, ranges and connectors.
Check out our in-depth guide to how electric car charging works, how much it costs, and how long it takes.
New EVs typically have ranges of 150 to 300 miles, whereas older EVs are more likely to have ranges of around 100 miles.
Read our full guide on electric car range here.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Leisure electric cars.
Electric car batteries should last for around 10 years, but battery capacity will decline with age and use.
However, battery life improves in-line with technology. As the industry evolves, the lifespan of a battery will continue to improve. This guide on EV battery life, breaks down all you need to know about looking after your electric car.
The cost of replacing batteries probably won’t prove economical as the car gets older. This may mean that an EV’s life-span is shorter than that of a combustion-engined vehicle.
Read more in our full guide on how long EV batteries last.
Car battery replacement.
With no tailpipe emissions, electric cars contribute to reducing pollution in cities.
Non-tailpipe emissions such as brake dust and tyre particles will still be a factor, although the scale of their impact is still under investigation.
For more, read our full guide to the environmental impact of electric vehicles.
The first thing you’ll notice when driving an electric car is the silence.
The lack of a gearbox means acceleration is smooth and seamless. And because they produce maximum torque from a standstill, even basic models are quick off the mark.
Apart from a faint hum when accelerating, the only noises come from the wind and tyres.
Gears in all EVs are automatic, while regenerative brakes slow the car when you lift off the accelerator to top up the batteries. Some cars even have ‘one-pedal’ settings or technology. This means that when you lift off the accelerator, the regenerative braking is much more severe – so you can roll to a stop at a junction and rarely need the brakes at all.
Electric motors produce their peak pulling power straight away, so there’s no need to rev the motor for swift acceleration, unlike in a conventional car.
Car manufacturers have more flexibility when it comes to packaging electric drivetrains. Mounting battery-packs close to the floor to lower the centre of gravity means EVs often handle well, too.
Many electric cars are based on conventional petrol/diesel models, so there is no big difference in EV safety compared to internal combustion engine-powered cars.
The number of purpose-built EVs is growing, and the ability to package components more creatively (such as fitting batteries beneath the floor) allows for more effective crash structures.
Euro NCAP conducted its first crash test of a pure electric vehicle in , when the Mitsubishi i-MiEV was awarded a four-star rating.
Since then, several other popular EVs have been awarded five-star safety ratings from Euro NCAP.
A few years ago maybe, but today many new EVs have ranges in excess of 250 miles per charge and are a practical option for a first or only car. Most EV owners also own a petrol or diesel car, but many consider the EV to be the first car, with the combustion-engined car as a back-up for occasional long journeys.
No, you can drive an EV on a normal driving licence for that category of vehicle.
If you pass your driving test in an EV, can you drive a petrol or diesel vehicle?
Since EVs don’t have gears, if you pass your driving test in an EV you can drive a petrol or diesel car, but only an automatic.
Please note: This story was updated to include new information in September .
The best way to understand how far electric vehicles have come in the last five years is to talk to someone who owns one. Almost without fail, EV owners emerge as true believers who have only minor complaints about life with one.
Don't know an EV owner you can talk to? Still have doubts about buying an electric vehicle? We're here to help you with a look at some of the most pervasive myths associated with plug-in electric vehicles.
A EV driver survey by the American Automobile Association found that while 91% of those who bought an EV initially worried about driving range or access to charging stations, those concerns eased. More than 96% said their next car would also be electric, only 5% reported ever draining their battery, and on average, drivers did 75% of their charging at home.
Driving range remains, however, the leading consideration when purchasing an EV. A JD Power EV ownership study found that when deciding which model to buy, the most-often-cited factors in the purchase decision are battery life and driving range.
While the availability of models with extended range had been limited to premium-priced vehicles led by Tesla, that's changing each year. For , of the 11 fully-electric models available in B.C. that qualify for combined B.C. and federal rebates of up to $8,000 have an average range of 343 km. Rebates are only available for cars priced $55,000 or less.
And for many, even a limited range suits the vast majority of their driving: a survey conducted for BC Hydro found British Columbians drive an average of 20 km a day, and that 95% of all car trips are less than 30 km.
For those who crave the eco option around town but want the versatility of extended trips, there's an extensive and growing list of fast-charging stations across B.C. And many owners are dipping a toe in the water with a plug-in hybrid that allows them to drive mainly electric around town, but which offers long gas-powered range for extended trips around B.C.
Even in regions of North America where a big portion of electricity is generated by coal or other fossil fuels, studies show that there are long-term CO2 emission reduction gains in driving electric.
And then there's this province., where BC Hydro generates power from water to produce clean and renewable electricity. That adds up to significant CO2 emission reductions when switching to EVs.
How significant? The Canadian Automobile Association's driving costs calculator shows the top-selling vehicle in Canada – the long-time champion Ford F-150 pickup – emits 24,815 kg of greenhouse gases (GHGs) when driven an average of 20,000 km a year over five years in B.C. That's 20 times the emissions of Canada's top-selling EV, the Tesla Model 3, driven over the same period and distance.
Critics of EVs also suggest that there are more carbon emissions associated with the manufacture of electric vehicles than with gas-powered vehicles. But while conventional drivetrains can have as many as 2,000 parts, electric drivetrains are far simpler, with sometimes fewer than 20 parts.
A recent environmental life cycle assessment, which factors in emissions associated with vehicle manufacturing, was commissioned by PlugInBC and the Fraser Basin Council. It concluded that "an EV charged in B.C. breaks even (pays off its environmental burden) within 30,000 km driven, and any distance driven beyond 30,000 km becomes carbon-negative."
Look for the environmental cost of manufacturing to continue to decrease, as many auto manufacturers are increasing the use of renewable electricity at their factories.
Car companies are responding to criticism that the large battery packs in electric cars produce significant waste, and that recycling of those batteries – even when done carefully to remove valuable components – requires the use of a lot of water.
Automakers including Nissan and BMW are piloting the use of old EV batteries, such as those that are replaced after losing 20% of their capacity – for the storage of electricity. General Motors has said it's designing its battery packs with second-life use in mind.
One Massachusetts Institute of Technology study found that used car batteries could be used for 10 years or more as backup storage for solar power.
Several recycling companies are coming up with innovative ways to recycle EV batteries. Retriev Technologies in Trail, B.C., for example, dismantles lithium ion batteries to recycle various steel, electrical, and plastic components. Leftover organic components are later consumed by Archaea microbes, which are added to holding tanks.
Evolving battery technology is also reducing – and may eventually eliminate – the use of cobalt, something EV manufacturers have been under fire for due to unethical and unsafe labour practices in some parts of the world.
Even with B.C. and federal rebates of up to $8,000 combined for the purchase of a new electric car, the higher initial cost of an EV remains a hurdle – both real and psychological – for many Canadians. But the math around total ownership costs in B.C., in particular, makes a strong case for the electric car already being cheaper.
It's not surprising that with gas prices in B.C. now well above $1.50 per litre in most areas, and the majority of EV charging happening at home, electric vehicles are now in huge demand.
Here's an apples-to-apples comparison on costs. Using the Canadian Automobile Association's driving cost calculator that factors in initial purchase price, depreciation, maintenance, fuel, and licensing/insurance costs, the cost of ownership for a Kia Niro EV over five years is $8,120 per year, while a gas-powered Kia Niro is $9,581 per year.
There are now at least six plug-in vehicles (a mix of battery-electric and plug-in hybrids) available in B.C. for less than $40,000, not including rebates. Up the price ceiling to $55,000 – the highest you can go and still get B.C. and federal EV rebates – and there are two dozen plug-ins available in B.C.
Studies have shown that on average, about 75% of EV charging is done at home. So what happens if you're in an apartment or condo development with no place to charge your vehicle?
It could be that you already have charging access, or that your parking areas are pre-wired to allow for the addition of a Level 2 charger. At least 15 B.C. municipalities now have bylaws requiring that all new multi-unit residential buildings are constructed to pre-wire for electric vehicle charging in parking stalls.
In older condos, you can advocate through your strata council to take advantage of B.C.'s Go Electric rebates to make your building EV Ready. Rebates are available for EV Ready planning, installation of electrical infrastructure, and for the purchase and installation of Level 2 networked EV chargers.
If you don't want to wait for the installation of charging infrastructure in your building, consider whether charging access at your workplace – or at a public charging station near your home – might allow you to keep your vehicle charged. And if charging access remains an issue, consider one of the dozens of plug-in hybrid vehicles available in B.C. that run on gas when the battery pack runs low.
Taking care in buying the right vehicle – preferably one with long range and all-wheel drive – can make it practical to own and operate an EV in a cold Canadian winter.
Do your research, as manufacturers are stepping up their game to meet cold weather challenges. For example, there's now a cold weather package option for the Kia Niro EV that adds a heat pump, battery warmer, and heated steering wheel to the mix.
Meanwhile, in Norway – where winters are hardly tropical – the country leads the world in EV use, with a whopping 54% electric share of all cars sold in . And we can learn a lot from a study conducted by the Norwegian Automobile Association (NAA).
The NAA test of winter performance by 20 electric vehicles discovered that, on average, driving range in cold temperatures was reduced by 19%. But there was a big range from model to model, with the Hyundai Kona EV leading the pack with only a 9% reduction in range. And the Audi e-Tron, which had the highest charging rate (150 kilowatts) in the test, was able to recharge from 10% to 80% in less than a half hour in January temperatures.
Check out the results of the NAA winter test, which includes some illuminating model-by-model range and charging time graphs.
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