Guides
EV charging
guides.
Straight answers on connectors, charging speeds and what actually fits your car. No jargon, no filler.
Buying Guides
Public vs Home EV Charging: Cost and Convenience
Home charging is cheaper and more convenient for daily driving, while public charging is best kept for longer trips. Home off-peak: around 7 to 10p/kWh vs public rapid around 45 to 80p/kWh Home adds roughly 25 to 30 miles per hour; rapid DC is minutes not hours Rapid chargers are tethered; keep your own Type 2 lead for AC points
Buying Guides
Best TPMS Sensors for Electric Cars: Monitor Pressure When Parked
Tyre pressure is one of the biggest easy wins for EV range. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and reduce range by 1–3% per missing PSI. External TPMS sensors show real-time pressure on a dashboard display, including when the car is cold and parked — better than the built-in TPMS warning, which only alerts you when pressure is already critically low. Built-in TPMS warns at 25% below recommended pressure — too late for optimal range External sensors monitor continuously and alert at any deviation from your target Fits any valve stem in minutes, no coding required
How-to
Do Electric Cars Come with a Spare Tyre? (And What to Carry Instead)
Most electric cars are sold without a spare tyre. The space under the boot floor (where the spare would sit on a petrol car) is often used for the traction battery or additional storage, and the weight of a spare is avoided to improve range. Carry a tyre repair kit and inflator instead — they handle 80% of road punctures. Check your car: look in the boot floor well and the handbook — some EVs do include a space-saver spare A foam sealant kit (Holts Tyreweld) handles slow punctures and most nail/screw punctures A full repair kit (sealant + inflator) is the right kit for UK driving; some also work on the motorway
How-to
Charging Your EV in France: Everything You Need to Know
Charging in France works well on the motorway (IONITY and TotalEnergies are widespread) but requires planning for overnight stops. A portable EVSE with a Schuko plug charges from any French domestic socket. For campsites, you need a Type 2 to CEE 16A adapter. Bring the standard European driving kit — it is a legal requirement. Motorway rapid charging (IONITY, TotalEnergies, Allego): same Type 2 cable as the UK Overnight at a gite or Airbnb: portable EVSE with Schuko plug, charges at 1.8–3.5kW Campsite hookup: Type 2 to CEE 16A adapter, charges at 3.6kW from a blue caravan socket
Buying Guides
Best Roof Boxes for Electric Cars: How Much Range Do You Lose?
A roof box adds aerodynamic drag that costs range on an EV more than on a petrol car. A 500L box at 70mph typically reduces range by 15–25%. The key is choosing a box with a low drag coefficient and keeping motorway speed down. For shorter runs, the range penalty is manageable. Hard shell boxes have lower drag than soft bags — choose hard shell for motorway trips Speed matters more than the box: at 60mph the penalty is roughly half what it is at 70mph Soft bags (no roof rack needed) are fine for city/slow roads where drag is minimal
Buying Guides
Best 12V Car Fridges for EV Road Trips
A 12V compressor fridge is one of the most useful things you can add to an EV for road trips and camping. The good news is they draw 40–60W continuous, well within what a 12V socket or V2L cable can supply. We recommend starting with Alpicool — reliable, widely reviewed, and available in sizes from 15L to 40L. Compressor fridges (not cool-box style) are the only type worth buying — they actually keep food cold Draw 40–60W continuous from the 12V socket; plug into V2L for bigger models or higher loads 15L is enough for a weekend; 25–30L for longer trips or a family
How-to
How to Use V2L: A Step-by-Step Guide
Plug the V2L cable into the car's Type 2 inlet, enable V2L mode via the car's touchscreen, then plug your device into the cable's mains socket. The car delivers up to 3.6kW of AC power from the battery. Check your car is on the V2L compatibility list before ordering a cable Enable V2L mode in the car's settings — the car will not discharge without it Most V2L cars deliver 3.6kW: enough for power tools, a kettle, or a portable heater
Compatibility
Which Electric Cars Support V2L (Vehicle-to-Load)?
V2L (vehicle-to-load) is available on a growing number of EVs in the UK, most commonly Hyundai, Kia, and BYD models. It lets you plug in tools, appliances and devices through the car's Type 2 inlet, drawing up to 3.6kW. You need a specific discharge cable — not a standard charging cable. Not every EV with a Type 2 inlet supports V2L: the car needs dedicated discharge hardware Most V2L cars deliver 3.6kW (16A), enough for a kettle, power tool, or portable heater You need a V2L discharge cable matched to your car's output socket type
How-to
Can I Use an Extension Lead to Charge My EV?
Do not use a domestic extension lead to charge an EV. The sustained current draw of EV charging pushes a standard extension lead beyond its safe operating limit, causing the lead and plug to overheat. Use a purpose-made EV charging cable from a dedicated outdoor socket or wallbox instead. EV charging draws 8–32A continuously for hours, far beyond what most extension leads tolerate safely Overheating causes fires at the plug, the lead, or both — even on reels that appear to handle the current The correct solution is a longer EV charging cable, not a longer extension lead
How-to
Charging Your EV When You Park on the Street
A 10m cable covers most kerbside situations. You also need a cable ramp cover to comply with local authority guidance on pavement obstruction, and you must use a dedicated wallbox or outdoor socket, not a standard plug through a window. 10m reaches a car parked directly outside; 15m if you need extra slack A cable ramp cover prevents trips and keeps the cable protected Check your local authority rules — some require a notification or permit
Buying Guides
Best EV Charging Cables UK 2026: Honest Guide to What Actually Works
The best EV charging cable for most UK drivers is a 7.4 kW Type 2 to Type 2 cable in five or seven and a half metres: it fits every modern EV, works with all standard home wallboxes, and covers most UK driveway distances. Avoid unbranded cables without clear conductor specifications. Here is what to look for and which options are worth buying. Cable type: Type 2 to Type 2 for modern EVs; Type 2 to Type 1 for older models (early Nissan Leaf, first-gen Outlander PHEV) Power rating: 7.4 kW for single-phase homes (the UK standard); 22 kW only if you have three-phase supply and a compatible car Length: five metres covers most driveways; go to seven and a half or ten metres for larger properties For those without a wallbox: a portable granny charger lets you charge from any standard 13A socket
How-to
Tethered vs Untethered EV Charging: Do You Need a Separate Cable?
If your wallbox is untethered (socketed), you need a separate Type 2 to Type 2 cable to charge your car at home. Most modern smart wallboxes sold in the UK are untethered, including the Zappi, Ohme, Easee, Hypervolt, Andersen, and Pod Point. A tethered charger has the cable built in, so no separate cable is needed, but you are locked into one cable length and connector type forever. Untethered wallboxes are the more common choice in new UK home installations If you are not sure which type you have, look at the front of the unit: an untethered box has a socket, a tethered box has a cable hanging from it Most modern EVs and PHEVs use a Type 2 inlet, so a standard Type 2 to Type 2 cable covers the majority of setups Older EVs with a Type 1 inlet need a Type 2 to Type 1 cable instead
Buying Guides
Coiled vs Straight EV Charging Cables: Which Should You Choose?
For most home-charging setups, a coiled cable is the better choice: it stays tidy, stores itself, and there is no trip hazard trailing across the garage floor. A straight cable makes more sense for long, fixed runs where you need every metre of reach. Either way, cable shape has no effect on charging speed. Coiled cables retract to roughly a third of their extended length, keeping things neat at the wallbox end Straight cables are available in longer fixed lengths and cost a little less for the same reach Both use standard Type 2 connectors and deliver identical charge rates Most UK EV owners settling into a regular home routine prefer coiled
Comparisons
Home Charger vs Granny Charger for Low-Mileage Drivers
For low-mileage EV drivers, a 3-pin granny charger is often adequate and costs nothing to install, while a wallbox charges faster and works better with smart tariffs. A granny charger is safe for regular overnight use if the socket is in good condition and the charger has built-in protection. A wallbox pays back more quickly for higher-mileage drivers who can use off-peak tariff scheduling. Renters and flat dwellers often rely on portable chargers as the most practical home-charging option.
Buying Guides
Best Long-Range Electric Cars
The best long-range electric cars combine a large battery, efficient aerodynamics, and fast DC charging to make motorway journeys practical. Look for CCS rapid charging support and a high peak charging rate, not just battery size WLTP figures are the official benchmark, but real-world motorway range is typically lower A Type 2 cable is essential for home and public AC charging between long trips
Buying Guides
Best Electric Cars for Rural Drivers
Electric cars can work well in rural areas, but home charging and a higher-range model are especially important where public chargers are sparse. Home charging overnight removes dependence on a thin public network Prioritise real-world range, CCS rapid charging, and a heat pump A PHEV may suit drivers who cannot charge at home
Buying Guides
Best Electric Cars for New Drivers
Electric cars can be an excellent first car: simple to drive, cheap to run per mile, and future-proofed against the 2030 ban, though insurance costs need careful research. No gears makes EVs easier to learn in; smooth power delivery helps in traffic Insurance can be higher for EVs, especially for young drivers: get quotes first Used EVs are worth considering, but always check battery state of health
Buying Guides
Best Electric Cars for Motorway Drivers
Motorway EV driving demands a large usable battery, high DC rapid-charging rate, and good real-world motorway range, which is always lower than the WLTP figure at sustained high speeds. WLTP range is not motorway range: use Autocar or What Car? real-world tests Charging curves matter more than peak charge rate for stop duration 800V architecture cars tend to charge faster at compatible rapid chargers
How-to
How Long Do Electric Car Batteries Last?
Electric car batteries are designed to last many years, with most manufacturers offering an eight-year warranty and real-world data showing packs holding up well beyond that under typical private use. Battery life depends heavily on charging habits, annual mileage, and climate AC home charging is gentler on cells than daily DC rapid charging Most private owners will not need to replace their battery within ten years of ownership
Buying Guides
How Long Do EV Charging Cables Last?
A good quality EV charging cable should last many years with normal use and basic care, as damage is usually physical rather than age-related. Main threats are crushing, kinking, driving over it, and impact damage Replace if you see cracks, exposed wires, bent pins or scorching Store it coiled and off the ground to make it last longer
Buying Guides
Is an EV Worth It for Low-Mileage Drivers?
An EV can be an excellent choice for low-mileage drivers, particularly those with home charging access and mostly short, local journeys. Home charging makes the running cost saving real even at low mileage Short predictable trips are where EVs are most convenient to own The payback period is longer, so used EVs or long ownership plans improve the case
Buying Guides
Best Electric Cars for Tall Drivers
Finding a comfortable electric car when you are tall is absolutely possible, but it takes a more deliberate approach than simply picking the most popular model. Why does body style matter so much for tall drivers? Does it matter whether you have long legs or a long torso? What adjustments should you look for on the steering column?
Comparisons
Single-Motor vs Dual-Motor EVs: What's the Difference?
Single-motor EVs drive one axle and are more efficient and affordable; dual-motor EVs add all-wheel drive for faster acceleration and better traction, at a higher price. Single motor suits most UK drivers for daily commuting and mild conditions Dual motor adds real benefit for winter driving, hilly terrain, towing, and performance Real-world range is often similar because dual-motor trims usually carry a larger battery
How-to
Charging Two EVs at One Home: What You Need
Charging two EVs at home is straightforward with the right wallbox set-up and load management, without necessarily needing a costly electrical supply upgrade. Dual-charger load management splits available supply between both cars automatically Installing both wallboxes in one visit is almost always cheaper than two separate jobs Each car needs a cable matched to its own charging port type