At electriccarsite.co.uk we get all sorts of queries about electric cars in the UK and all the associated paraphernalia - electric car charging posts, electric car networks, electric car batteries etc. To help out, we have compiled a list of our most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. This is a growing list, we will add to it as and when we can.......
A: Unsuprisingly, the answer to this depends on a number of factors. Most electric cars can be recharged from an ordinary domestic wall socket, however this takes time (on average a Nissan Leaf will take over 8-10hrs to fully charge based on the standard UK domestic power supply). However, you come home, plug it in overnight when electricity is cheaper and you can afford to leave it for the required hours.
The market is moving towards dedicated charging points for both domestic and commercial / industrial use. Currently British Gas are collaborating in a project with the Nissan Leaf to install domestic charge points in the UK which will make it easier and quicker for EV owners to charge their cars rather plugging them directly into the home electrical system. Using a higher voltage and 16 amp supply, the Leaf can be fully recharged in under eight hours. Another advantage is you can also put the new socket exaclty where you need it - in the garden, the garage etc.
If you are planning to supply a number of charging posts e.g. for customers or charging points which will see alot of continual use then getting a company to install some dedicated electric car charging points would be the way forward (see the related Q: on installing electric car charging posts below).
A: If you are planning on anything other than individual domestic use (and even then) it probably makes sense to install a purpose built charging post(s). If you are a company or organisation e.g. a council, planning to supply a number of charging points then getting a number of posts installed by one of the main charging post companies makes sense. These posts will be more robust and will come with a range of 'benefits' e.g. software which can monitor the usage, electronic tags to keep access secure, maintainence contracts etc.
If you are looking to put a number of posts in, try a few companies, get quotes, negotiate a deal. Some things to consider are whether your charging posts are for staff or customer (day) use or for commercial fleet (potentially night use) or both and will you want the posts be made available to the wider general public?
A: At the moment, No. The purpose of this site is to provide independent information, unaffiliated to any particular electric charging point installer, electric car manufacturer or electric car charging scheme. This may change in the future and if it does we will let you know. Currently, if you are looking for a quote you will need to try the manufacturers listed on our charging points page.
A: Faster electric charging is possible using higher voltages and currents but that requires dedicated charging equipment. There are hopes that there will be three levels of charging system. There are standards for level 1 and 2 charging which stipulate the requirements for connectors and supply. The J1772 standard for electric vehicle charging which many manufacturers are adopting. Currently, no standard for level three exists however, which could potentially supply higher voltages (300-500) at very high currents (100+ amps) directly to the plug-in vehicle battery drastically reducing charging times. Fast charging connectors for some cars are therefore optional until the standards are finalised and most come at an additional cost.
A: It depends a little on who will be able to use the post(s) and how many there are, although the operation is the same. Charging posts can be networked through computer software - the software 'should' be compatible across different manufacturers posts . Users have an electronic tag (either individually) or often kept with the post (e.g. in car park attendants office). This is swiped to open the charging point and records the amount of electricity used against the tag. This can then be charged to an online account.
If the tag is kept with the post e.g. kept by an onsite member of staff to be accessed by other members of staff then the electricity cost can stay with one account to be met by the organisation. The post can also however be made available to members of the public. Either for 'free' where members of the public have access to the same communal tag from staff onsite (usually with a £20 deposit to make sure the tag comes back). Alternatively, members of the public can sign up to a charging network (this really works best if there are other posts in and around the city which they can use) - they then scan their personal electronic tag which is linked to an online account where they pay for the electricity they use.
A: On the 30th September 2010 there were 35 million registered vehicles in the UK. 56,024 of those had plugs. So that is around 0.16% which, yes, is not a lot! However, sales are growing rapidly with new models being introduced. Sales from 1st January to 20th April 2011 were 2.6 times larger than for the whole of the 2009/10 financial year.
By 2035 the Government wants to see all (so 100% of) new vehicles sold to be Low Emission. In the recent Climate Change Committee’s report “The Fourth Carbon Budget” the target is 1,700,000 Electric Cars on the road by 2020.