Guides
EV charging
guides.
Straight answers on connectors, charging speeds and what actually fits your car. No jargon, no filler.
How-to
Adaptive Regen and Paddle Shifters in EVs
Regenerative braking converts kinetic energy back into battery charge when you lift off the accelerator, and many EVs let you control how aggressively it works using paddle shifters or menu settings. Paddle shifters in EVs increase or decrease regen strength, not gears One-pedal driving uses high regen to slow the car without touching the brake Adaptive regen adjusts automatically using radar, cameras, or navigation data
How-to
What Is a Battery Preconditioning Button?
Battery preconditioning warms or cools your EV's battery to its ideal temperature before driving or charging, so you get full range and faster charge speeds. Always precondition while plugged in to save your driving range A warm battery accepts rapid charging at full speed from the moment you arrive Many EVs do it automatically when you navigate to a charger
How-to
EV Infotainment and Connected Features Explained
EV infotainment systems control far more than entertainment, managing charging, climate, navigation, and remote access from one screen. Most EVs offer charge-stop navigation, climate control, and companion app access Connected features include charge scheduling, live traffic, and remote pre-conditioning Data privacy and connectivity subscriptions are worth checking before you buy
Comparisons
Heated Seats vs Cabin Heating: Which Saves Range?
Heated seats use far less energy than cabin heating, making them the best first choice in cold weather to protect your EV's range. Heated seats warm you directly without heating the whole cabin air A heat pump is more efficient than resistive cabin heating Pre-conditioning on the mains before driving saves battery range
How-to
Over-the-Air Updates in Electric Cars
Over-the-air updates push software improvements wirelessly to your EV, just like a phone update, with no dealer visit required. Can update infotainment, battery management, safety systems, and security patches Cannot change physical hardware or firmware-limited components Not all EVs support OTA: many traditional-brand cars still require a dealer visit
How-to
What Is a Frunk (Front Trunk)?
A frunk is the storage compartment under the bonnet of an electric vehicle, where a combustion engine would normally sit. Not every EV has one. Frunks are most common on EVs with rear or compact front motors that leave usable space under the bonnet Ideal for storing charging cables and portable chargers, keeping them separate from boot luggage Size, usability, and opening method vary significantly between models
How-to
Insurance Write-Offs and EV Batteries
EVs are written off more often than petrol cars because battery inspection and replacement costs can exceed the car's market value even after minor damage. Write-off categories run from Cat A (destroyed) to Cat N (non-structural damage repaired and back on the road) Cat S and Cat N vehicles can be sold, but the write-off history must be disclosed and checked via an HPI report Gap insurance covers the shortfall between an insurer's payout and what you paid or still owe on finance
Buying Guides
Part-Exchanging Your Petrol Car for an EV
Part-exchanging your petrol, diesel, or hybrid car is one of the simplest ways to reduce the upfront cost of buying an EV, with the dealer deducting your car's agreed value from the purchase price. Dealers value your car on age, mileage, condition, and market demand, so preparation pays off Outstanding finance must be settled before any PX completes, so get a settlement figure first Private sale usually returns more money, but PX offers speed and convenience
How-to
How to Sell a Used Electric Car
To sell a used electric car well, get a battery health report, gather your paperwork, and choose the right selling route for your situation. Battery state of health is the biggest factor in price: get a report and share it upfront Include all original charging cables: missing cables reduce buyer confidence and invite lower offers Compare dealer part-exchange (fast, lower return) against online marketplaces and private sale (more effort, higher return)
Buying Guides
Financing an Electric Car: Your Options
There are five main ways to finance an electric car in the UK, each with different ownership rules, upfront costs, and flexibility. PCP and HP spread the cost but differ on whether you commit to owning the car Personal leasing and salary sacrifice keep monthly costs lower but you never own the vehicle Buying outright gives maximum flexibility with no monthly payments
Buying Guides
Electric Car Delivery: What to Check on Handover
A structured handover check when collecting your new or used electric car helps you spot faults, confirm charging equipment is present, and protect your consumer rights before driving away. Check battery state of health, especially on used EVs Confirm all charging cables and adapters are in the boot Test charging, inspect the port, and review warranty documents before signing
Buying Guides
Understanding EV Trim Levels and Options
EV trim levels often determine battery size, charging speed, and heat pump availability, so choosing the right grade is one of the most consequential decisions when buying an electric car. Battery pack size and WLTP range frequently vary between trims On-board AC charger speed and DC rapid charge rate can differ by grade Heat pump availability matters for winter range and is rarely retrofittable
Buying Guides
How Much EV Range Do You Actually Need?
For most UK drivers, a mid-range EV covers everyday needs comfortably, especially with home charging overnight. WLTP figures are optimistic; use independent real-world estimates to plan Calculate your own daily mileage before deciding how much range you need Longer range matters most for rural drivers, those without home charging, or frequent long-distance trips
Buying Guides
Questions to Ask Before Buying an Electric Car
Work through these key questions before committing to an EV to avoid the most common sources of buyer regret. Home charging setup is the most important factor to settle first Check the car's rapid charging standard, on-board charger speed, and what cable is included Always get insurance quotes and read both the vehicle and battery warranty terms before signing
How-to
The First 30 Days With a New Electric Car
The first month with an EV is about building charging habits: get a wallbox installed, set up a smart off-peak schedule, and complete one planned long journey. Install a home wallbox before the car arrives if possible Set up overnight off-peak charging to reduce running costs Plan your first long journey using Zap-Map and your car's navigation
Buying Guides
How to Decide Between Two Electric Cars
When you have narrowed your choice to two EVs, compare real-world range, charging speed, total running costs, and warranty terms rather than relying on spec sheets alone. Check real-world range reviews, not just the WLTP figure Compare charging standards, AC speed, and whether a cable is included Factor in insurance, servicing, and energy costs alongside the purchase price
Buying Guides
Best Electric Cars for Caravanning
Electric cars can tow a caravan, but range drops significantly while towing and many EVs carry no approved towing rating at all. Confirm manufacturer-approved towing capacity before buying Plan charging stops more frequently than on an unladen journey Caravan site hook-ups provide a slow overnight charge
Buying Guides
Best Electric Cars With the Longest Warranty
EV warranties have two parts that matter equally: the vehicle warranty and the separate battery warranty, which often includes a capacity guarantee protecting against faster-than-normal degradation. Battery and vehicle warranties are usually separate documents with different terms Look for a capacity guarantee: a minimum state of health the battery must retain Always verify current terms on the manufacturer website before buying
Buying Guides
Best Electric Cars With a Heat Pump
A heat pump is the single most important cabin heating feature to check when buying an EV for UK winters, moving heat rather than generating it to preserve battery range. Heat pump vs resistive: moves heat from outside air, uses far less battery energy Check whether it is standard or a paid option on the trim you want Use Bjorn Nyland or What Car? winter range tests rather than WLTP alone
How-to
What Is the NACS (Tesla) Connector?
NACS (North American Charging Standard) is Tesla's original connector, now an SAE standard adopted by most US automakers, but CCS2 remains the UK and European standard for rapid charging. UK Tesla models use CCS2 rather than NACS, so they work on all UK public rapid chargers Adapters can bridge NACS and CCS but adapter compatibility should be verified before use There is no confirmed plan to introduce NACS as a replacement for CCS2 in the UK or EU
How-to
What Is CHAdeMO and Is It Being Phased Out?
CHAdeMO is a Japanese DC rapid-charging standard once common on Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi vehicles, now being superseded by CCS2 in the UK and Europe. New EVs from European and US manufacturers use CCS rather than CHAdeMO UK CHAdeMO charge points are declining as operators invest in CCS infrastructure Drivers with CHAdeMO cars should verify charger availability before longer journeys
How-to
What Is a CCS Connector?
CCS (Combined Charging System) is the dominant rapid and ultra-rapid DC charging standard in the UK and Europe, combining a Type 2 AC inlet with two extra DC pins. CCS cables are tethered to the charger, so drivers do not need their own CCS cable Most new European EVs use CCS for rapid charging at public charge points A separate Type 2 cable is still needed for home and destination AC charging
Comparisons
Public Charging Payment: RFID Cards vs Apps vs Contactless
The three main ways to pay at UK public chargers each suit different drivers and situations. RFID cards are fastest to use after initial registration, with some networks offering loyalty rates Apps give the most features including live availability, but require an account and phone connectivity Contactless bank card or phone needs no account, but is only available on newer chargers installed from November 2023
How-to
How to Avoid Range Anxiety
Range anxiety fades quickly once you build a home charging habit and learn to plan longer routes. Charge at home overnight so you start most days near full Plan motorway charge stops in advance using Zap-Map or your car's built-in planner Learn your real-world range in different conditions rather than relying on the WLTP figure