Guides
EV charging
guides.
Straight answers on connectors, charging speeds and what actually fits your car. No jargon, no filler.
How-to
The 2030 and 2035 Petrol and Diesel Ban Explained
The UK will stop selling new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, with hybrids following in 2035. Your existing vehicle is unaffected. The ban covers new car sales only, not existing ownership or the used market From 2035, hybrids and PHEVs will also be phased out for new sales The policy runs alongside ZEV Mandate targets and charging infrastructure investment
How-to
The Lifecycle Emissions of an Electric Car Explained
Lifecycle analysis covers an EV from raw material mining through manufacturing, driving, and end-of-life recycling, and consistently shows lower total emissions than petrol cars in the UK. Manufacturing is the most carbon-intensive phase for EVs, driven by battery production The use phase is where EVs recover their advantage, and that advantage grows as the grid gets greener Battery recycling and second-life storage are improving the end-of-life picture
How-to
Are Electric Cars Really Better for the Environment?
Yes, EVs produce lower lifecycle emissions than petrol cars in the UK, though the honest answer is more nuanced than a simple yes. Higher manufacturing emissions are offset during the use phase as you drive on an increasingly clean grid Zero tailpipe emissions and significantly less brake dust are genuine, measurable benefits Charging on a green tariff and keeping the car longer both improve the environmental outcome
How-to
Electric Cars and Pets: Keeping Dogs Cool and Safe
EVs are well-suited to dog travel: quieter cabins, no exhaust fumes, and some models offer a dog mode that keeps the climate running while parked. Restrain dogs with a crash-tested crate, dog guard, or harness on every journey Never leave a dog in a hot car, even with windows cracked, unless an active pet mode is running Strong regen settings can unsettle dogs: use a lighter setting when carrying pets
How-to
Taking Your Electric Car Camping
Taking your EV camping in the UK is very doable once you treat charging as part of the destination plan, not an afterthought. Many campsites now offer EV hook-up points or three-pin sockets usable with a portable charger Route-planning apps like Zap-Map and ABRP help you find charge points near any campsite before you book A portable EV charger (granny charger) is the most versatile piece of kit you can carry
How-to
How to Keep Your EV Cabin Warm Without Killing Range
Precondition your EV on charge before leaving, use heated seats and steering wheel instead of blasting the cabin heater, and park in a garage where possible to protect range in cold weather. Preconditioning uses mains power rather than battery charge to warm the cabin before you set off A heat pump is far more efficient than a resistive heater at mild winter temperatures Heated seats and a heated steering wheel warm you directly at a fraction of the energy cost
Buying Guides
Do You Need a Dash Cam for Your EV?
Yes, a dashcam is worth fitting to an electric car, especially if you use public charge points or park in urban areas where parking mode adds meaningful protection. Hardwiring to the 12V auxiliary system enables parking mode while the car is locked Some EVs have built-in sentry camera features, so check your car's specification first Front-and-rear recording gives the most useful coverage for urban and motorway driving
Reviews
Best Accessories for a New Electric Car
A portable charger, Type 2 cable, boot liner, and tyre inflation kit are the four accessories every new EV owner should buy before their first long journey. A portable granny charger gives you a backup charging option anywhere there is a 3-pin socket A Type 2 cable is essential for untethered home wallboxes and public AC charge points A tyre inflation kit replaces the spare tyre most EVs no longer carry
How-to
Electric Cars and Potholes: Protecting Your Wheels
EVs are more vulnerable to pothole damage than petrol cars due to battery weight and low-profile tyres, so knowing what to check and what to do matters. Check tyre sidewalls for bulging, rims for cracks, and steering feel after any significant impact Correct tyre pressure is your best defence against impact damage Many EVs have no spare tyre, so knowing your options in advance is essential
How-to
Living With an Electric Car: One Year On
After a year with an electric car, most UK owners find range anxiety fades quickly and the day-to-day routine is simpler than expected. Home charging means starting every day with a full battery, no petrol station detours needed Running costs are lower than petrol, but tyre wear and public charging costs are worth factoring in Winter range drops are real but manageable with pre-conditioning and modest route planning
How-to
EV Road Trips: How to Plan Charging Stops
Planning EV charging stops on a long UK journey is straightforward with the right tools and a small buffer of charge at each stop. Use ABRP or Zap-Map to place stops where rapid chargers actually exist Arrive at each charger with at least 10-15% remaining and charge to 80% before moving on Always identify a backup charger near your planned stop in case of faults
How-to
Can You Charge an EV at Work?
Yes, you can charge an EV at work, and for many drivers it is the most convenient charging option available, especially without home off-street parking. Workplace electricity for EV charging is currently exempt from Benefit in Kind tax under HMRC rules Employers can apply for grants to offset installation costs, making the business case easier to make A portable charger and a standard socket can provide slow daytime top-ups if no dedicated unit exists
How-to
On-Street EV Charging: Your Options Explained
On-street EV charging options are expanding for drivers without a driveway, covering lamppost chargers, kerbside posts, and council application schemes. Lamppost chargers use existing street lighting columns and need a Type 2 cable from your car Most on-street charge points require payment via app, RFID card, or contactless You can often apply to your local council for a charge point if none exists near your home
Buying Guides
Best EV Charging Apps You Actually Need
A good EV charging app shows real-time availability, covers multiple networks, and lets you pay without juggling separate accounts for every operator. Aggregator apps like Zap-Map and PlugShare give the broadest map coverage and live charger status Network-specific apps and RFID cards are still useful for the operators you use most Contactless bank card payment is now required on newer rapid chargers, reducing app dependency
How-to
Caravanning and Towing With an Electric Car
Towing a caravan with an electric car is practical but requires careful range and charging planning due to the significant impact on battery range. Towing substantially reduces real-world range, so plan shorter legs and more charging stops Not all EVs have a tow rating, so confirm approval before buying or hitching Finding charging bays long enough for car and caravan combined is the biggest practical challenge
How-to
Driving an Electric Car in Europe: A Charging Guide
Driving an EV across Europe is straightforward once you understand the connector standards and charging networks in each country. Type 2 is the EU-mandated AC charging standard, so your home cable works abroad CCS is the dominant DC rapid-charging connector on major European motorway corridors Route plan with buffer, carry a portable charger as backup, and check roaming payment options before you travel
How-to
Planning a Long EV Road Trip in the UK
Long EV road trips in the UK work well with a little preparation: plan charging stops, check network coverage, and carry the right cable. Plan stops before your battery drops below around 20% and keep a comfortable buffer Register with two or three charging networks before you leave A portable charger is useful overnight at accommodation without a dedicated unit
How-to
Can You Take an Electric Car Through a Car Wash?
Yes, electric cars can go through a car wash safely. The battery and electrical system are sealed to handle water. Always close the charging port flap before entering any car wash Disconnect from the charger completely before washing Some EVs have a dedicated Car Wash mode in their settings
How-to
How Noisy Are Electric Cars?
Electric cars are much quieter than petrol cars at low speeds, but tyre and wind noise remain at higher speeds. All new EVs must have an AVAS pedestrian warning sound below around 12 mph Motor whine replaces engine roar, and is far less intrusive Tyre noise becomes more noticeable without engine sound to mask it
How-to
Do Electric Cars Have Gears?
No, almost all electric cars use a single fixed-ratio drivetrain with no traditional gearbox and no gear changes while driving. Electric motors produce strong torque across their full speed range, making multiple gears unnecessary A gear selector still exists to choose Drive, Reverse, Neutral, and Park Fewer moving parts typically means lower long-term maintenance costs
How-to
Are Electric Cars Automatic?
Yes, all mainstream electric cars are automatic. They use a single-speed motor with no clutch or manual gearbox. Classified as automatic for UK licensing purposes An automatic licence is sufficient to drive any EV Regenerative braking replaces some of the work the brake pedal does
How-to
What Happens if an Electric Car Runs Out of Charge?
Your EV will give repeated warnings and limit power before stopping, not cut out suddenly, but you will need breakdown help to get moving again. Progressive warnings and reduced power before the car stops, not a sudden cut-out Most EVs have a small reserve buffer that protects the battery from a genuinely damaging full discharge Call breakdown cover: mobile charging units or flatbed recovery are the practical solutions
How-to
Can You Push-Start or Jump-Start an Electric Car?
You cannot push-start an electric car, and jump-starting requires knowing which of the two batteries you are dealing with. Push-starting is impossible: no clutch or gearbox means rolling the car does nothing The 12V auxiliary battery can sometimes be jump-started; check your owner's manual for the correct terminals A flat traction battery needs a mobile charge unit or flatbed recovery from your breakdown provider
How-to
Do You Need a Driveway to Own an Electric Car?
No, a driveway is not essential, but it makes home charging far more convenient. Without one, you can use on-street lamppost chargers, workplace charging, or destination chargers. Home wallbox charging is cheapest and most convenient with off-street parking On-street, workplace, and public chargers are viable alternatives Relying solely on public rapid charging costs more and needs more planning