Guides
EV charging
guides.
Straight answers on connectors, charging speeds and what actually fits your car. No jargon, no filler.
Buying Guides
New vs Used EV: Which Makes More Sense?
Whether to buy new or used depends on your budget, battery health expectations, and how you plan to charge. New: full warranty, latest charging speeds, total peace of mind Used: lower entry cost, but check State of Health and connector type carefully Both can make sense; the right choice depends on your situation
Buying Guides
Should You Buy an EV With a Leased Battery?
A leased battery lowers the purchase price but adds a monthly cost and complicates resale, so it suits some buyers more than others. The manufacturer guarantees battery health and replaces it if performance falls below a threshold Selling the car requires transferring or settling the lease, which can put off private buyers Check whether a buyout option exists and what mileage band you would need before committing
How-to
How to Sell Your Electric Car for the Best Price
Selling an electric car for the best price comes down to battery health documentation, honest presentation, and choosing the right sale channel. Get a battery state of health report before listing: it is the single biggest trust signal for EV buyers Include all original charging cables and accessories in the sale Compare private sale, online instant-offer platforms, and part-exchange before committing
Buying Guides
What Paperwork Should Come With a Used EV?
A used EV should come with the V5C logbook, a valid MOT certificate, service history, proof of battery warranty, and all charging cables. Always request a battery state of health report before committing to buy Carry out an HPI check to confirm no outstanding finance or write-off history Check battery warranty transferability directly with the manufacturer
Buying Guides
Are Ex-Fleet EVs Worth Buying?
Ex-fleet EVs can be great value, but battery health, charging history, and remaining warranty all need careful checking before you buy. Fleet returns often have full service records and arrive at 2-4 years old Battery state of health is the key figure to request from any seller Confirm remaining manufacturer battery warranty terms before committing
How-to
Does Leaving an EV Plugged In Overnight Harm the Battery?
No: leaving an EV plugged in overnight is safe and recommended, as the battery management system stops charging once the set limit is reached. Set your charge limit to around 80% for daily use to reduce long-term cell stress Staying plugged in during cold weather helps the BMS keep the battery warm without draining range Only charge to 100% when you genuinely need the full range for a longer journey
How-to
What Is Battery Preconditioning and When to Use It
Battery preconditioning warms or cools your EV's battery to an ideal temperature before charging or driving, improving speed and range. It makes the biggest difference before DC rapid charging in cold weather, where it can cut session time noticeably. Preconditioning while still plugged into a home charger uses grid energy, not your battery's range. Most EVs trigger it automatically when you navigate to a rapid charger, or you can set it manually.
How-to
What Is an 80% Charge Limit and Should You Use It?
An 80% charge limit tells your EV to stop charging automatically at 80%, helping to preserve battery health for the long term. Most manufacturers recommend 80% for daily home charging to reduce cell stress Override to 100% only when you need maximum range for a long trip LFP battery cars may have different guidance, so check your handbook
How-to
What Is a Battery Buffer in an EV?
The battery buffer is a hidden reserve at each end of an EV's charge scale that protects the cells and extends pack life. Sits above 0% and below 100% on the dash; managed automatically by the car Usable capacity is always less than the gross figure in the brochure Understanding it helps you charge smarter and interpret range figures honestly
How-to
Does Rapid Charging Damage Your Battery?
Rapid charging puts more stress on a battery than slow home charging, but modern EVs are designed to handle it when used sensibly. The battery management system limits charge speed if the pack overheats, protecting cells automatically Preconditioning before a rapid session reduces stress and speeds up the charge Daily rapid charging is harder on long-term health than occasional use combined with home charging
How-to
What Is the Best Charge Level for Daily Driving?
For daily driving, most EV manufacturers recommend keeping your battery between roughly 20% and 80% state of charge to reduce long-term cell stress. Charging to 100% occasionally for long trips is fine; making it a nightly habit adds gradual strain Letting the battery drop below 10% regularly is harder on the cells than mid-range cycling Most EVs let you set a charge limit in the app or on the screen to automate the habit
Charging Guides
Why Does Rapid Charging Slow Down in the Cold?
Rapid charging slows in cold weather because lithium-ion batteries must reach a safe operating temperature before the battery management system will allow high charge currents. Cold electrolyte moves ions slowly, limiting how fast charge can be accepted Preconditioning the battery before arriving at a charger restores much of the lost speed The effect eases as the battery warms during the session itself
Charging Guides
Does Battery Percentage Affect Charging Speed?
Yes: EV charging speed is fastest in the middle of the battery and slows as it fills, controlled by the battery management system to protect the cells. Charging is typically quickest between around 20% and 80% state of charge Rapid chargers taper sharply near full charge; stopping at 80% on a journey saves time Preconditioning warms the battery before a rapid charge stop for better performance
Charging Guides
What Affects EV Charging Speed?
Charging speed is set by whichever is lower: the car's maximum acceptance rate or the charger's output, with battery temperature and state of charge playing a big role. A cold battery or a charge level above 80% will slow things down significantly Your cable's current rating can throttle speed if it is lower than the charger and car's capability Preconditioning the battery before a rapid charge session is the most effective way to improve speed
Charging Guides
Why Is My EV Charging Slower Than Advertised?
EV charging is nearly always slower than the headline figure because of how your car, battery state, temperature, and the charger interact. Your car's onboard charger sets a hard ceiling for AC speeds that no wallbox can override. DC rapid charging tapers above roughly 80% state of charge to protect battery cells. Cold batteries, power-sharing bays, and underrated cables all reduce real-world speed further.
Charging Guides
Why Does My EV Charge Slow Down After 80%?
Your EV's battery management system deliberately tapers the charge rate above around 80% to protect the lithium-ion cells from heat and voltage stress. The taper is most dramatic on DC rapid chargers, where peak speeds are highest Charging between roughly 20% and 80% keeps you in the fastest part of the charging curve Planning rapid stops to end at 80% is the quickest strategy on long journeys
Buying Guides
Electric Car Leasing: A Beginner's Guide
Leasing an electric car lets you drive a brand-new EV for fixed monthly payments without owning it, keeping upfront costs low and shifting battery depreciation risk to the finance company. PCH is for private drivers; BCH is for businesses, with VAT and BIK advantages Road tax is included; insurance, tyres, and excess mileage charges are not At the end of the contract you hand the car back and can start a new lease on a newer model
Buying Guides
Is Now a Good Time to Buy an Electric Car?
For most drivers with home charging and a reasonable annual mileage, now is a solid time to buy: prices have fallen, choice is wider than ever, and the charging network keeps improving. New and used EV prices have broadly fallen as competition increases Company car drivers benefit from significantly lower Benefit-in-Kind rates Home charging access is the single biggest factor in making EV ownership practical
Buying Guides
Best Electric Cars for First-Time EV Buyers
The best first EVs combine manageable size, real-world range well above your daily commute, simple home charging, and strong manufacturer support. A 7kW home wallbox plus a Type 2 cable covers almost all daily charging needs Treat 75 to 80 percent of the WLTP figure as your realistic usable range Keep your daily charge limit at around 80 percent to protect long-term battery health
How-to
Charging an EV in a Flat or Apartment
Charging an EV in a flat is more involved than installing a home wallbox, but several practical options make it viable for most drivers. Negotiate a communal charge point with your freeholder, backed by OZEV/LEVI funding via gov.uk Use on-street lamp-post chargers or nearby public and destination chargers as your primary top-up Consider a portable EV charger for low-mileage use if you have safe outdoor socket access
How-to
Destination Charging at Hotels and Car Parks
Destination chargers are slower AC units at hotels, retail parks, and car parks that let you top up while you are already parked for another reason. Typical speeds are around 7kW or 22kW, adding meaningful range during a meal, shop, or overnight stay Most use untethered Type 2 sockets, so bring your own cable Cost is often free or lower than rapid charging networks
Buying Guides
EV Charging Subscriptions: Are They Worth It?
Charging subscriptions save money for frequent public charger users, but most home-primary drivers will not recoup the monthly fee. Break-even depends on how often you charge publicly, not just which network you prefer Drivers without home charging benefit most; low-mileage or home-primary drivers rarely do Check network coverage, contract length, and which charge speed tiers the discount applies to before signing up
How-to
What Is Plug and Charge?
Plug and Charge is an ISO 15118 standard that lets your EV and a compatible charger authenticate automatically the moment you plug in, with no app or card required. Authentication is handled by an encrypted digital certificate stored in the vehicle, billed to your linked account Supported on many newer EVs and an increasing number of UK rapid chargers, though coverage is still rolling out Always carry a contactless card or RFID backup, as not every charger on every network is enrolled yet
How-to
What Is C-Rate in EV Charging?
C-rate measures how fast a battery charges or discharges relative to its total capacity: 1C fills or empties the pack in one hour. Higher C-rates stress the battery more, so home wallbox charging at 7kW is gentler than rapid charging The car's battery management system always controls the real charge rate, not the charger's headline power The 80% slowdown on rapid chargers exists because the BMS deliberately reduces C-rate to protect cells as they fill up