FAQs - Electric cars
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
It can take as little as 30 minutes and up to 12 hours to charge your electric car. This depends on the car you choose and the speed of the charging point. A typical electric car (60kWh battery) takes just under 8 hours at most to fully charge with a 7kW charging point. Many public charging stations are equipped with fast chargers. These can reach 50% charge within 30 minutes.
Tip: Use fast-charging stations for quicker turnaround during your trip.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
It's possible to charge your electric car at public charging stations. They can be free, pay-as-you-go or subscription-based, with prices set by energy companies or property owners. Some car manufacturers, such as Hyundai, Nissan and Tesla, may provide free charging stations along larger motorways for cars of their make. You can also charge your electric car at home using a dedicated home charger (included with your car) that plugs into an ordinary socket.
Tip: Many shopping centers and hotels offer free charging – check ahead.
How far can an electric car drive on a single charge?
The distance an electric car can drive on a full charge is referred to as its range. On average, fully electric cars have a range of around 250 miles on a single charge. However, newer models from companies like Tesla and Mercedes can go as far as 600 miles on one charge.
Tip: Plan routes with available charging points, especially for long trips.
Is it more expensive to rent an electric car?
While renting an electric car can be slightly more expensive, charging a battery tends to be cheaper than filling a fuel tank. Electric cars are also often exempt from additional charges in low-emission zones in cities, and they can be cheaper or even free to park in many places.
Tip: EVs may cost more upfront but save on fuel – ideal for city driving.
How can I find the nearest charging point?
Cities typically have electric car charging maps online, showing where you can charge your electric car. On the road, you can download one of several apps that show you available charging points and the distance to the nearest speed-charging points. Google Maps, Waze and other navigational apps also have a feature to highlight these points in your journey
Tip: Use apps like PlugShare or Google Maps to locate charging stations nearby.
Should I charge my electric car every day?
Most electric car manufacturers recommend that you stick to between 20-80% battery charge. How often you need to charge to stay within this range depends on how frequently - and how far - you’re driving your electric car.
Tip: Keep battery levels between 20–80% for better long-term performance.
Are electric cars better for the environment?
Emissions are drastically lower than they are with conventionally fuelled cars, so the immediate environmental impact is also lower. On a larger scale, the environmental impact depends on the source of the electricity you're charging it with. Coal-fired electricity plants still have a net negative impact on the environment.
Tip: EVs are cleaner when powered by renewable electricity – eco-friendly and quiet.
Are electric cars easier to drive?
More user-friendly, and much like driving automatic cars. There are no gears to worry about, so you simply press the start button, select ‘D’ (drive) on the gear selector - and you’re ready to go.
Tip: EVs operate like automatics and often feature smoother acceleration.
What if my electric car runs out of battery on the road?
If you run out of charge between charging stations, the electric car will stop. You’ll need to call roadside assistance to get towed to the nearest charging station. You’ll receive multiple warnings from the car before this happens, so you should have ample time to find a charging station.
Tip: Watch your charge level – cars give warnings well before battery runs out.