Aug. 04, 2025
This information should be readily available in your car’s manual - and should give you a clear explanation of the charging process.
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Home charging is the backbone of the EV ownership experience for most drivers who get an electric car - with most households in the UK having access to a driveway. It offers unmatched convenience and typically costs less than public charging.
Installing a dedicated home charger typically involves:
Survey - An electrician checks your property's electrical capacity
Installation - Usually takes 2-4 hours
Commissioning - Testing the charger and showing you how to use it
Important considerations include: whether you have off-street parking, your home's electrical capacity, and the distance from your fusebox to your parking space. With The Electric Car Scheme - EV charger installation can be bundled into your salary sacrifice lease - saving you money, and making installation a breeze.
Tethered chargers have a permanently attached cable
Untethered chargers require you to plug in your own cable
Smart chargers connect to the internet for remote control and scheduling
Solar-compatible chargers can prioritise solar power when available
Fast Chargers can provide a superior charging speed at home, but are less common
A home charger typically costs between £800-£1,500 installed. Through salary sacrifice car schemes, some providers include installation as part of the package. The Charge Scheme can also help reduce installation costs for businesses and individuals.
By charging at home rather than using public charging, drivers typically save 20-50% on charging costs, enhancing the overall savings from your salary sacrifice electric car scheme.
The UK has over 75,000 public charging points, with new ones being added daily. These broadly fall into three categories:
Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers (50kW-350kW) located along major routes are designed for quick top-ups during longer journeys. They typically charge an EV from 20% to 80% in 20-40 minutes, depending on your vehicle and the charger's power output.
These chargers are primarily found at:
Motorway service stations
Major trunk roads
Some petrol stations
Dedicated charging hubs
Medium-speed chargers (7kW-22kW) are perfect for topping up while you're doing something else, such as:
Shopping centres
Supermarkets
Leisure centres
Hotels and restaurants
Car parks
These typically add around 20-30 miles of range per hour of charging.
Many companies are installing charging points for employees as part of their sustainability initiatives or to complement company electric car scheme offerings.
For employers:
Supports corporate sustainability goals
Attracts and retains environmentally conscious talent
Complements salary sacrifice electric car schemes
Potential tax benefits
For employees:
Convenient charging while at work
Often subsidised or free charging
Extends EV usability for those without home charging
Supports the decision to choose an electric car through salary sacrifice
Workplace charging can effectively double your charging opportunities, making EV ownership even more convenient. For example, if you charge at both home and work, you might only need to plug in at each location 2-3 times per week.
kW (kilowatt) refers to the power of the charger - how quickly it can deliver electricity
kWh (kilowatt-hour) refers to the capacity of your car's battery - how much electricity it can store
For example:
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a 77kWh battery, so when charging on a 50kW rapid charger, it receives 50kW of power per hour.
This means it would theoretically take about 1.5 hours to fully charge (in reality, charging speeds taper as the battery fills) - and the Ioniq 5 can tolerate much higher charging speeds - giving it a 18 minute rapid charging time when plugged into an appropriate charger.
Let's look at three popular models available through The Electric Car Scheme:
Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are best used during long journeys when you need to charge quickly, or when you need a significant amount of range in a short time. Alternatively, you may need an occasional top-up if you don't have regular access to slower charging.
You'll find these chargers at:
Motorway service areas
Major A-roads
Dedicated charging hubs
Some retail parks and shopping centres
Charging your electric car overnight offers several advantages, as it can use cheaper off-peak electricity rates, ensuring your car is fully charged each morning. Overnight charging places less strain on both the electricity grid and your vehicle's battery, and typically costs significantly less than public charging.
Slower 7-22kW chargers are typically found at:
Homes (usually 7kW)
Workplaces
Car parks
Shopping centres
Hotels and B&Bs
Leisure facilities
Type 2 is the standard AC charging connector in Europe and the UK. It's used for charging at rates up to 22kW and is found on most home and public AC chargers.
CCS (Combined Charging System) is the most common DC rapid charging standard in Europe. It adds two additional power pins below the Type 2 connector to enable DC fast charging at rates of 50kW to 350kW.
CHAdeMO is a DC charging standard primarily used by Japanese manufacturers like Nissan. It supports charging at rates up to 100kW.
Tesla Superchargers were previously only available for Tesla vehicles, but many are now opening up to other EVs. They use a modified Type 2 connector for older Tesla models in Europe, and CCS for newer models.
Most European and American EVs use Type 2 for AC charging and CCS for DC rapid charging
Some Japanese vehicles like the Nissan Leaf use Type 2 for AC charging and CHAdeMO for DC rapid charging
Older Tesla models have a proprietary connector, but newer models use Type 2/CCS in Europe
Some adapters are available to increase charging flexibility:
Type 2 to domestic 3-pin (useful in emergencies but charges very slowly)
CHAdeMO to CCS (rare and expensive)
Tesla to CCS (available for Tesla owners to use non-Tesla chargers)
However, not all combinations are possible due to communication protocols and safety features.
Finding charging points has become increasingly simple with dedicated apps and in-car navigation systems. The best EV charging apps in the UK include Zap-Map, PlugShare, and manufacturer-specific apps that help you locate nearby chargers, filter by connector type and charging speed, check charger availability in real-time, and plan routes with charging stops. Many apps have integrated payment systems for ease of use.
Public charging networks offer various payment methods:
Smartphone apps
RFID cards and key fobs
Contactless credit/debit cards
QR code scanning
Many networks require you to download their specific app or order an RFID card before you can use their chargers. Some newer chargers offer contactless payment options for a more streamlined experience.
For a 60kWh car needing a full charge:
Home charging:
Standard tariff (20p/kWh): £12
EV-specific off-peak tariff (7.5p/kWh): £4.50
Public charging:
Fast charger (35p/kWh): £21
Rapid charger (55p/kWh): £33
Ultra-rapid charger (70p/kWh): £42
This illustrates why home charging is a major benefit for those with access to it, especially when combined with the savings from a salary sacrifice electric car scheme.
Many energy suppliers offer special EV tariffs with significantly reduced rates during off-peak hours (typically midnight to 5am). These can reduce charging costs by 50-70% compared to standard tariffs.
Some smart home chargers can automatically schedule charging during these off-peak periods, maximising your savings without requiring you to plug in at specific times.
Rapid charging costs more than slower charging for several reasons:
Higher equipment costs for the charging provider
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Additional grid connection costs
Higher electricity demand charges
Convenience premium
The price differential reflects both the higher costs to provide rapid charging and the value of time saved.
When calculating the total cost of owning an electric car through the electric car scheme UK, consider:
Monthly salary sacrifice amount (typically 20-50% less than leasing directly)
Home charging costs (typically £30-50 per month for average drivers)
Occasional public charging costs
Benefit-in-Kind tax (just 3% for /26)
Road tax (£0 for fully electric vehicles)
Maintenance (typically lower than for petrol/diesel vehicles)
For most drivers, the combination of salary sacrifice savings, low BiK rate, and cheaper fuelling through home charging makes an electric car significantly less expensive than a comparable petrol or diesel vehicle.
Charging an electric car might seem complex at first, but most drivers quickly adapt to the new routine. With home charging, the convenience of "refuelling" at home while you sleep often outweighs the occasional need to plan for longer journeys.
As the UK's charging infrastructure continues to expand rapidly and with the significant savings available through the electric car scheme, there's never been a better time to make the switch to an electric car.
By understanding the basics of EV charging covered in this guide, you'll be well-prepared to enjoy all the benefits of electric vehicle ownership through the electric car scheme UK — from environmental advantages to substantial cost savings through salary sacrifice.
If you’re considering an electric vehicle for the first time, you might be confused by the terminology you’re faced with. A summary of the commercially available electric car types is as follows:
For more info about these vehicles, read our guide to the different types of electric vehicles.
These are exciting times for EVs with the number of vehicles available increasing rapidly – and new models launched almost weekly.
Some popular models you’ve probably seen on our roads include the Audi E-tron, BMW i4, Citroën e-C4, Fiat 500e, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Honda e, Jaguar I-Pace, Kia e-Niro, Mazda MX-30, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Mini Electric, Nissan Leaf, Peugeot e-208, Polestar 2, Porsche Taycan, Renault Zoe E-Tech Electric, Skoda Enyaq, Tesla Model 3, Vauxhall Corsa-e, Volkswagen ID.3 and Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Here’s an up to date look at all the latest electric, hybrid and plug-in car reviews. We review used EVs, hybrids and PHEVs too.
We’re tracking the UK’s adoption of EVs on our 'Road to Electric' page; it breaks down the number of electric vehicles on our roads by the different types mentioned above.
New EVs can be bought from vehicle dealerships or leased through leasing companies in the same way as conventional cars.
Tesla is an exception in that it does not have a traditional dealer network and most sales are online. Other manufacturers are considering this sales model, too, and already sell cars online.
Used EVs can also be bought through traditional vehicle sales outlets including franchised and independent dealers.
If you’re buying a used EV, look for a retailer certified for its EV knowledge and excellence through the Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme.
This scheme is operated by the National Franchised Dealers Association and is approved by the Energy Saving Trust, which audits the retailers, and by the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.
Some people buy electric cars because they’re fascinated by the tech (we’re looking at you, Tesla owners), while others base their decision on an ethical desire to ‘go green’.
For most of us, though, an electric car needs to make financial sense, which means considering the costs.
EVs generally have higher purchase costs prices than their petrol and diesel competitors. But EV running costs are lower, as fuel, tax and maintenance are all, generally, significantly cheaper.
The cheapest new EVs currently available in the UK start at around £21,000 once the government funded purchase grant has been deducted. Used EVs can be purchased in the UK from as low as £4,500.
As with conventional cars, buying second-hand is a much cheaper option, but then you’ll have to consider a potentially slightly deteriorated battery life. And buying a new battery is nearly tantamount to a write-off.
Generally, EV batteries have a long life, and degradation is minor. There will be a gradual reduction in capacity and range after many years, however. Here’s more info on EV battery life.
You’re not spoilt for choice, either, as there are far fewer pure electric cars for sale second-hand than petrol and diesel models.
The Nissan Leaf is the most common used EV, followed by the Renault Zoe.
Electric car leasing is often a much more affordable option for those looking to make the switch. Find out why in our EV leasing guide.
If we ignore the two-seat Renault Twizy (technically a quadricycle, rather than a car), you’re looking at the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, BMW i3, Smart EQ ForTwo amongst a few others.
We've got a rundown of the best new and used EVs for those on a budget. Read our cheapest electric cars guide.
Today most EVs have owned, not leased batteries. Until a few years ago leasing the batteries was more common.
This was mainly to de-risk the process for EV purchasers, since if a battery failed or suffered a major loss of performance it would be replaced under the lease agreement. Leasing EV batteries also helps keep purchase costs down.
Used EV buyers are more likely to come across leased batteries – some of the earlier Leafs and Zoes have them. If you buy a used EV with leased batteries, you also need to sign a battery lease contract with the relevant car manufacturer.
EVs typically have between five and eight years’ (or 100,000 miles) warranty on the electric motor and battery components, which includes a performance guarantee to deliver around 70% of their original charge capacity.
For the rest of the car, the length of warranty depends on the manufacturer. It ranges from three years and 60,000 miles to seven years and 100,000 miles.
Fuel costs are much lower for EVs than for conventionally fuelled vehicles. The cost to charge an EV depends on the size of the battery and where you’re charging it.
Drivers that are able to charge at their workplace usually also receive free charging and there is no benefit-in-kind liability associated with this.
Check out our in-depth guide to electric car running costs.
Compared with petrol and diesel vehicles, EV servicing and maintenance costs are considerably lower.
This is because electric motors contain many fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines. In addition, EVs don’t have other familiar car parts like a gearbox, clutch, exhaust, catalytic converter or starter motor.
Even the brake pads and discs receive much less wear and tear because much of an EV’s braking is achieved through regenerative braking.
Nissan says servicing a Leaf costs just £27 a month.
Read our EV maintenance, service and repairs guide.
Like all cars, EVs have to pass an annual MOT test after they are three years old. The main difference is there is no emissions test.
The maximum car MOT test fee is £54.85, but many garages will undercut this.
Find a reliable garage with our RAC Approved Garages search tool.
Electric cars have only sold in significant numbers since around , but evidence suggests they are very dependable.
A What Car? survey found faults occurred on just 5% of Tesla Model 3s, and the reliability of several other popular EVs also rates in the high 90s.2
For example, the Hyundai Kona Electric was rated as 98.5% reliable, the BMW i3 as 97.9%, the Nissan Leaf as 97.2% and the Jaguar I-Pace as 97%.
Electric cars still need regular servicing according to the manufacturer’s schedule, although there are fewer parts to fix.
Until the battery needs replacement, your biggest outlay is likely to be new tyres.
And in terms of ‘more tech’, many issues will likely be software-related. These can be fixed remotely ‘over the air’ by some EV manufacturers.
An electric car should be serviced at a dealer that sells new EVs or a non-franchised service outlet where the technicians have been trained in high voltage system service and repair.
Insurance ratings – and thus costs – for electric cars tend to be slightly higher than for petrol or diesel equivalents. However, you may be able to negotiate a limited-mileage policy to keep costs down.
If you lease a battery, it remains the property of the car manufacturer, so your insurance company should be informed.
Read our full guide to EV car insurance.
EVs are more reliable than conventional vehicles, but some parts can still cause breakdowns – such as tyres and the 12 volt starter battery.
From mobile recharging to all-wheels-up rapid deployment trailers, we do more than any other breakdown provider to keep you and your EV on the road. Read more about our EV breakdown cover options here.
Charging your electric car can be done at home, at work or at a public charging point.
However, the world of EV charging can be complicated. There are different rates, charging speeds, voltages, battery sizes, ranges and connectors.
Check out our in-depth guide to how electric car charging works, how much it costs, and how long it takes.
New EVs typically have ranges of 150 to 300 miles, whereas older EVs are more likely to have ranges of around 100 miles.
Read our full guide on electric car range here.
Electric car batteries should last for around 10 years, but battery capacity will decline with age and use.
However, battery life improves in-line with technology. As the industry evolves, the lifespan of a battery will continue to improve. This guide on EV battery life, breaks down all you need to know about looking after your electric car.
The cost of replacing batteries probably won’t prove economical as the car gets older. This may mean that an EV’s life-span is shorter than that of a combustion-engined vehicle.
Read more in our full guide on how long EV batteries last.
Car battery replacement.
With no tailpipe emissions, electric cars contribute to reducing pollution in cities.
Non-tailpipe emissions such as brake dust and tyre particles will still be a factor, although the scale of their impact is still under investigation.
For more, read our full guide to the environmental impact of electric vehicles.
The first thing you’ll notice when driving an electric car is the silence.
The lack of a gearbox means acceleration is smooth and seamless. And because they produce maximum torque from a standstill, even basic models are quick off the mark.
Apart from a faint hum when accelerating, the only noises come from the wind and tyres.
Gears in all EVs are automatic, while regenerative brakes slow the car when you lift off the accelerator to top up the batteries. Some cars even have ‘one-pedal’ settings or technology. This means that when you lift off the accelerator, the regenerative braking is much more severe – so you can roll to a stop at a junction and rarely need the brakes at all.
Electric motors produce their peak pulling power straight away, so there’s no need to rev the motor for swift acceleration, unlike in a conventional car.
Car manufacturers have more flexibility when it comes to packaging electric drivetrains. Mounting battery-packs close to the floor to lower the centre of gravity means EVs often handle well, too.
Many electric cars are based on conventional petrol/diesel models, so there is no big difference in EV safety compared to internal combustion engine-powered cars.
The number of purpose-built EVs is growing, and the ability to package components more creatively (such as fitting batteries beneath the floor) allows for more effective crash structures.
Euro NCAP conducted its first crash test of a pure electric vehicle in , when the Mitsubishi i-MiEV was awarded a four-star rating.
Since then, several other popular EVs have been awarded five-star safety ratings from Euro NCAP.
A few years ago maybe, but today many new EVs have ranges in excess of 250 miles per charge and are a practical option for a first or only car. Most EV owners also own a petrol or diesel car, but many consider the EV to be the first car, with the combustion-engined car as a back-up for occasional long journeys.
No, you can drive an EV on a normal driving licence for that category of vehicle.
If you pass your driving test in an EV, can you drive a petrol or diesel vehicle?
Since EVs don’t have gears, if you pass your driving test in an EV you can drive a petrol or diesel car, but only an automatic.
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