Charging an electric car is very simple, yet for some people the idea can still seem daunting. That’s why we’ve put together our handy guide to charging, including which chargers to use and how to find chargepoints easily when you’re out and about.
Charging at home
Charging an electric car at home is as easy as plugging in your mobile phone. To make it even simpler, the Government provides a grant to cover up to 75% of the cost of installation of a dedicated chargepoint at home when you buy an electric car. Data from Chargemaster shows that over 90% of charging takes place at home, and even if you don’t have a garage or driveway, there is also a grant to cover on-street parking. All you’d need to do is check with your local authorities whether they participate in this scheme.
Charging at work
This is a convenient and cost effective option for many EV owners. As the number of electric vehicles on UK roads grows, more and more businesses are installing chargepoints for their employees as a way to boost their green credentials. Speak to your fleet manager to find out if your workplace will install a charger.
Public charging
There are over 11,000 public chargepoints around the UK, and 96% of motorway service stations now have rapid chargers, so it’s easier than ever to find a chargepoint on the go. To find your nearest chargepoint, have a look at Go Ultra Low’s map here.
Types of chargers
Electric vehicles will work with most chargepoints, and most Go Ultra Low cars come with a cable allowing you to plug in to a conventional 3-pin plug, but it’s good to know the different varieties. There are three types of charger; standard, fast, and rapid.
Standard chargers are able to charge an EV to full in around eight hours, usually done overnight. Fast chargers can fill up an EV in 2-4 hours, depending on the vehicle and the size of the battery. Rapid chargers are found at public chargepoint locations and can charge an EV to 80% in less than 30 minutes.
Safety
All chargepoints undergo rigorous safety testing and are installed by qualified electricians, so they are entirely safe. Using a chargepoint in the rain? Not to worry, all outdoor chargepoints are waterproof so they can be used, no matter the weather.
Charging an electric car is simple, and you can fuel an EV from just 2p per mile. To find out more about how much you could save by switching to an electric car, click here.
