Charging an EV can be cheaper than filling up a petrol or diesel car with fuel, although prices vary wildly. Read our need-to-know guide.
HMRC could be forced to reduce the VAT levied on public EV charging, following a new ruling. A case brought by Charge My Street, a not-for-profit charging company, challenged the fact that EV drivers using public chargers must pay VAT at the commercial rate of 20 percent, while those charging at home pay only five percent.
The decision of the First-Tier Tribunal is likely to be appealed by HMRC. However, for the time being at least, it is much cheaper – if you can – to charge an...
Cheap second-hand electric cars cost from just £2,000, but you should think carefully before buying one. We explain the pros and cons.
About £2,000 is the rock-bottom price for a used electric car. However, we’d think twice before reaching for your wallet. While some cars grow old gracefully, an ageing electric car could be an unwise investment.
The fact is, electric vehicles are developing at such a rate, even a car registered a decade ago may seem very outmoded – and less financially savvy than it first appears. To highlight this point, let’s consider the cheapest used electric cars you can...
Preconditioning can improve comfort, add battery range and benefit your bank balance. Our quick guide explains how the process works.
Preconditioning is one of the lesser-known but genuinely brilliant features of electric cars. Whether it’s a frosty morning in January or a scorching afternoon in July, preconditioning can make your life easier.
Put simply, preconditioning allows you to pre-heat or pre-cool the car’s interior before you start your journey. Not only will you feel more comfortable, you will maximise your EV’s driving range and prolong the ...
Our quick guide to charging an electric car explains how long it takes, where to charge and how to save money by charging your EV at home.
The UK’s forthcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars comes into force next decade. It means that, for many of us, the future will be electric.
When it comes to driving, you may not notice much difference. Many EVs look and feel similar to combustion cars from behind the wheel, albeit with an automatic transmission, improved refinement and instant pulling power. They are generally more relaxing to drive, but can also offer ...
Here's what you need to know about Hyundai’s growing range of electric cars, including the Inster supermini and Ioniq 5 N hot hatchback.
Hyundai offers a range of five electric cars in the UK, from the pint-sized Inster supermini to the seven-seat Ioniq 9 SUV.
This brief guide gives an overview of what you need to know about buying an electric Hyundai. We will update the page regularly as new Hyundai EVs are introduced.
Got any further questions? Let us know in the comments and we will endeavour to help.
An electric car is no more difficult to drive than one powered by petrol or diesel. If you are an EV novice, our guide explains the process.
If you know how to drive a car with an automatic gearbox, you can drive an EV. It’s as simple as that. Granted, there are a few differences, but you shouldn’t be worried about getting behind the wheel of an electric car for the first time.
With a few exceptions – hello, Tesla Cybertruck – most EVs look similar to petrol or diesel cars. The green flash on the number plates might be the most obvious giveway. The main...
A ‘granny cable’ should be supplied with your new electric car. But what does the term mean and what does this cable do?
If you own an electric car, you will need to plug in a charging cable to recharge its battery. That much is obvious.
The vast majority of EVs are supplied with at least one charging cable, so make sure they are present if you’re buying a used electric car. A ‘granny cable’ is a colloquial term for the ICCB (In Cable Control Box) cable that should come with the car when...
Running out of charge in an EV is inconvenient and inadvisable. We explain your options if your electric car's battery goes flat.
Just like running out of petrol or diesel in a conventional car, letting your EV’s battery go flat should be avoided if possible. The inconvenience it causes will really disrupt your day. It could affect the long-term health of the battery, too.
Indeed, with an electric car, there will be no friendly good Samaritan with a can of kilowatts to pour into your tank. Or to give you a quick jump-start. Your vehicle may need to be lifted onto a flat-bed truck and carried to a charging...
There are a few places left where you can charge an electric car for free. We explore your options, including supermarkets and hotels.
When electric cars first gained popularity around a decade ago, it was easy to find free or cheap places to recharge. At worst, you’d pay £10 for a card that gave you access to roadside charging points for a year.
That couldn’t last for long – and inevitably, it hasn’t. Nobody can afford to give motorists free fuel, even if they are driving efficient cars. So now there is...
Our beginner's guide will help you get started on your electric car journey. We explain how EVs work and how they differ from other cars.
Whatever you think about electric cars, they are the future – or certainly a big part of it. However, battery-powered vehicles are also nothing new. The first EVs hit the roads in the late 19th century, around the same time as the earliest combustion cars.
Motoring Electric readers of a certain age may also remember the evocative sound of electric milk floats delivering bottles of gold top each morning.
Without resorting to a full history lesson (or a diversion into milk floats), petrol and diesel engines...
