Electric Vehicle FAQ

All You Need To Know About Electric Vehicles


As the general public has become more aware of the environment, they are now starting to look for ways to help reduce pollution. Along with the Government pushing the issue as well as general awareness of the electric vehicle industry is booming and is only going to get bigger. More and more people are interested in using electric cars or vans on a day to day basis. But there are a lot of questions that people need answering about making the move to electric. Here at Wessex Garages we have you covered, we thought it was only right as one of the biggest stockists of electric vehicles in Wales and the South West to help answer anything and everything regarding electric vehicles.

KONA Electric

Which electric car should I buy?

There are some things to consider when choosing an electric car such as charging, emissions and road tax. We want to make sure that you choose the car that’s best suited to you and your needs.

If you opt for electric driving, you’ll have three main choices:

Nissan LEAF


How long does it take to charge an electric car?


This all depends on the size of the battery and the speed of the charging point. Charging can take anywhere between 30-minutes and 12-hours. A typical electric car with a 60kWh battery would take 8-hours to fully charge the car’s battery from empty to full when using a 7kWh charging point.

The majority of electric car drivers never charge their battery from empty. They normally top up the batteries' power regularly which would speed up the charging process. This would mean hooking up the battery through the day when parked at work or a shopping centre or charging your car overnight. The majority of electric cars can be charged within 35-minutes with a 50kWh charging point to provide a range of up to 100-miles.

As you can see, the bigger the battery and the slower the charging point is that you are using. The longer it will take to charge your car’s battery.


Electric charging at home?


You can buy a home charging point as this offers the best solution to charging your electric vehicle at home. It offers a faster and safer solution to charging your battery and offers the flexibility to charging you cars battery overnight. You can use a standard 3-pin plug with an EVSE cable (electric vehicle supply equipment) to charge your car but this is not recommended as a permanent solution, this should be only used when no other option is available.


Electric Home Charging Point Grants


There is an OLEV Grant (office for law emission vehicle) is available for home charging solutions. The grant's name is ‘Electric Vehicle Homecharging Scheme (EVHS), as the name suggests it’s to provide financial relief to the cost of adding a home charging point to your home. This grant currently provides up to £500 off the cost of the purchase and the installation of a home charging point.

You can claim for a 1-charging point per eligible vehicle but you are only allowed up to 2 eligible vehicles per household. If you live in Scotland your able to get access to an additional grant, this is up to another £300. This grant is available through the Energy Savings Trust Scotland.


Electric car charging points installation


We would advise you to always enlist a professional to install your home charging point. The reason we give this advice, to install a level-2 charging point that uses 240 volts. You need the correct circuit breaker installed to your home’s circuit board. You will then need to run a newly installed 4-strand cable to your chosen charging location to connect to your charging pod. If you don’t understand any of what we’ve said here, please have a professional to install your charging point at home.


Electric car grant


Can you get an electric car grant, you ask? The answer is YES, with some stipulations. To be eligible for a plug-in car grant you must have purchased a new electric car. But this can’t be just any electric car, it needs to be an electric car that qualifies for the grant. A qualifying electric vehicle must have a range of at least 70-miles.
You can get up to £3,500 off a new electric car that qualifies for a grant. To clear up this confusion take a look at the Plug-In Government Grant page, here they clear up which cars qualify as well as give you the full information about the grant.


Longest range electric car


There are many new electric cars in the automotive market in the UK, every year a new car brand will launch a brand new model or an updated model. Car manufacturers are constantly working on solving the issue of battery range. In the current electric car market, there are the following cars that are ranked by the longest range.


1 - Tesla Model S - 375-miles

2 - Tesla Model 3 - 348-miles

3 - Tesla Model X - 315-miles

​4 - Jaguar I-Pace - 292-miles
5 - Kia eNiro - 282-miles
6 - Mercedes EQ C - 280-miles

​7 - HyundaiKonaEV-279-miles 
8 - Audi e-Tron - 249-miles
9 - Nissan LEAF e+ - 239-miles

10 - BMW i3 - 193-miles
11 - Renault Zoe - 186-miles
12 - Hyundai Ioniq - 174-miles

Electric charging points free

ZAP MAP ELECTRIC CHARGING

​There are many free EV charging points available around the UK. To find where these free charging points are you need to take a look at Zap-Map Live (available as an app or as a desktop version).

Make sure to ‘filter’ your results by ‘Payment’ and apply the ‘£ Free to Use’ filter. This will give you a map of the UK full of free EV charging points in the UK. It is worth noting that the majority of fast and rapid chargers will require payment.

How much to charge an electric car?


There is no one answer that covers this question. It all depends on if you charge your EV at home, work or use a public charging station. We will base our answer on a typical electric car that uses a 60kWh battery, with a range of 200-miles. For the electricity rate, we will use a UK average of 14p per kWh charge to show you what your EV car could cost to charge.

Home Charging: Full charge at home costs £8.40


Work Charging: Full charge can be obtained for free, as many employers will install a workplace charging point.


Rapid Charging Point: normally you wouldn’t use a rapid charging point to charge your battery to full. EV drivers would normally use these charging points on the motorway at the service stations. This is where you’ll place your EV on charge and go grab a coffee or some lunch. An average cost would be £6.50 for 30-minutes that will provide your battery with a 100-mile range.

Soul EV

Cost of running an electric car?


Is it cheaper? Let us breakdown a typical costing of a typical EV car vs Petrol/Diesel car.


Cost
  • Electric = £25,190
  • Petrol/Diesel = £19,800
Fuel

  • Electric = 3.7p per mile
  • Petrol/Diesel = 14.2p per mile
Tax

  • Electric = £0
  • Petrol/Diesel = £445
Parts & Service

  • Electric = £322
  • Petrol/Diesel = £528

Do electric cars have gears


The quick answer is NO.

The full answer is that electric vehicles do not have a traditional multi-speed gearbox like the well-known petrol or diesel gearbox where you will have a minimum of 5 gears to select through. EV vehicles only have a single gear that provides impressively quick acceleration.

Electric car charging points near me


There are several ways to find the nearest charging point to you.


Google: just add a query ‘electric charging point near me?’. You will be presented with a map of results.


In-Car Navigation: your in-car navigation will have the option to show only electric charging points when you are on the move.


Zap-Map: this company offers an app for Android and iOS and a desktop version. They log every new charging point added anywhere in the UK. So it's very handy when travelling.

ZAP MAP ELECTRIC CHARGING

Benefits of electric cars?


When comparing EVs against your standard combustion engines (petrol and diesel) there are several benefits.

  1. You are helping the environment by reducing your CO2 contributions.
  2. Electric cars are faster on acceleration, Tesla has proven this with their Ludicrous mode
  3. Cheaper to run as its cheaper to charge a battery than it is to fill up at the pump. Plus servicing is cheaper as EV cars have fewer moving parts.
  4. No more visiting fuel stations. Just charge your battery when you’re not using your vehicle at your convenience
  5. Electric cars will soon be the same price as buying a combustion engine car. As the government pushes to reduce emissions.

How long do electric car batteries last?


When buying a new electric car you are more than likely going to receive a battery warranty with your car package. These are normally for 8-years or up to 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Currently, there are no actual facts to prove the length of a batteries life span as the technology is so new. We have seen a few high mileage electric cars that haven’t really suffered a small amount of degradation.

Cost of charging electric car at public station UK


You are normally looking at charging points in public locations been free of charge. However, if you need to use a rapid charging point at say a service station on the motorway there is a charge. On average you are looking at a cost of around £6.50 for a half-hour charge.

Cost to charge electric car calculator


There are many different calculators online that will help you figure out the cost of charging an electric car. Take a look at Zap-map, it is one of the best car charging calculators available online right now. Below is the link:

Zap-Map: Public Charging Calculator for EVs

Marketing Preferences

We would like to stay in touch with you to keep up to date with our latest product news, marketing services and offers. If you would like to receive future information by either of the methods below, please indicate by selecting the option. All information provided will be used and processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy. For more information please see our Privacy Policy.

Privacy & Terms

Customer Privacy Policy and Notice

1. Introduction

This policy applies to the processing of customer personal data by the Wessex Garages Ltd (referred to as “Wessex Garages Ltd“or “we”).

The purpose of this policy is to provide our current, former and potential customers (jointly referred to as “customers” or you) with a general understanding of:

  • The circumstances under which we collect and process your personal data;
  • The types of personal data we collect;
  • The reasons for collecting your personal data; and
  • How we handle your personal data.
2. Commitment

The processing of your personal data forms an important part of our provision of products and services to you. We appreciate the trust you place in us when providing us with your personal data, and consider your privacy an essential part of the services we offer.

In order to safeguard your personal data while increasing the customer value and offering enhanced and safer driving experiences, we adhere to the following five general principles.

3. Freedom of Choice

Your personal data belongs to you. We strive not to make any assumptions regarding your privacy preferences and aim to design our services so that you can choose whether to share your personal data with us.

4. Balance of Interests

Where the processing of your personal data is necessary for the pursuit of a legitimate interest, and where this interest outweighs the need to protect your privacy, we may process certain personal data without obtaining your express consent. For more information, see the “Consent” section below.

We will assess whether such a legitimate interest exists based on the potential benefits to (including the safety of) our customers and the general public.

5. Proportionality

Wessex Garages Ltd endeavours to only process customer personal data that is adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose for which it has been collected.

We aim to anonymise your personal data when a function or service can be achieved with anonymised data. If we combine anonymised or non-personal data with your personal data, it will be treated as personal data for as long as it remains combined.

6. Transparency

On request, Wessex Garages Ltd will provide customers with further information regarding our processing of your personal data, which may include excerpts from internal directives and guidelines.

7. Legal Compliance

It is Wessex Garages policy to comply with the applicable laws, rules and regulations governing privacy and data protection in each and every country where we operate. Where necessary, we will adjust our processing of your personal data as described in this policy to ensure legal compliance.

8. Helpful Definitions

The following terms, used throughout this policy, have the meanings set out in EU Directive 95/46/EC on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data. Accordingly:

“Data controller” means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or any other body which alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data;

“Data processor” means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or any other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller;

“Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person ('data subject'); an identifiable person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identification number or to one or more factors specific to his physical, physiological, mental, economic, cultural or social identity;

“Processing” means any operation or set of operations which is performed upon personal data, whether or not by automatic means, such as collection, recording, organisation, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, blocking, erasure or destruction; and

“Sensitive personal data” means personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade-union membership, and the processing of data concerning health or sex life.

9. Data Collection

You may provide us with information about you or your vehicle when utilising Wessex Garages services in or outside a vehicle or in other contacts with Wessex Garages, for example through our websites or customer centres (in this context, please note that phone calls may be recorded for quality assurance purposes). We may also obtain such data from our authorised dealers and repairers and other third parties. Such data (“Customer-provided personal data”) may include:

  • Your contact information (name, address, telephone number, email address, etc.);
  • Demographic information (age, marital status, household composition, etc.);
  • Vehicle information (vehicle identification number (VIN), model, date of purchase, service history, etc.);
  • Location data generated by your activities (navigation assistance, search queries, location sharing, etc.); and
  • Data pertaining to your purchase and use of our products and services (customer preferences and settings, purchase history, etc.).
  • Your vehicle will also automatically collect data relating to the vehicle and its surroundings, primarily of a technical nature and not directly related to you as a person. Such data (“Vehicle-recorded data”) is typically connected to the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle and may therefore be traceable to you. Vehicle-recorded data may include:
  • Safety information (whether airbags or belt tensioners have been triggered, whether the doors and windows are locked or open, etc.);
  • System functionality status (of the engine, throttle, steering, and brakes, etc.);
  • Driving data (vehicle speed, brake and accelerator pedal use, steering wheel movement, etc.);
  • Location data (the position of the vehicle in case of an accident, etc.); and
  • Surroundings data (temperature outside the vehicle, images, etc.).
Information about certain Vehicle-recorded data is also included in the owner’s manual.

We are particularly careful and apply additional measures if and when collecting and processing sensitive personal data, as required by applicable law. To the extent personal identification numbers and credit card numbers are stored by Wessex Garages, such information is also considered sensitive. For avoidance of doubt, it is noted that applicable law may require other kind of data to likewise be treated as sensitive personal data. Applicable law may also limit the possibility to process location data in certain countries.

10. Notice

Where reasonably practical or as required by applicable law, we will, in collecting or registering your personal data, provide you with (i) specific information as to the purposes of the processing of your personal data, (ii) the identity of the data controller, (iii) the identities of any third parties to whom the data may be disclosed and (iv) other information which may be necessary to ensure that you are able to safeguard your rights.

11. Consent

Where reasonably practical or as required by applicable law, we will obtain your consent prior to collecting or using your personal data. The request for your consent will be clear and provide you with a reasonable basis with which to make your decision. Your consent could always be revoked, for example by terminating a particular service or contacting Wessex Garages at the address indicated in the “Information and Access” section below.

The collection and use of Vehicle-recorded data may be necessary in order for (i) technicians to diagnose and rectify faults in vehicles during the service and maintenance of vehicles, (ii) managing Wessex Garages warranty undertakings and (iii) fulfilment of legal requirements.

When collecting or using Vehicle-recorded data for these purposes, and for similar legitimate interests pursued by Wessex Garages, we will generally not seek your consent unless this is deemed necessary in the individual case or required by applicable law.

12. Third Party Applications

You may be able to access applications and other services connected to a vehicle but provided by a third party, which, for example, may require transfer of location data and other Vehicle-recorded data to the third party. Wessex Garages is not responsible for the collection or use of personal data in third party applications or services and recommends that you carefully review the applicable terms and conditions of (and any privacy statement related to) such applications or services prior to use. If you have questions concerning a certain third party’s use of your personal data, please contact the third party directly. Wessex Garages will however carry out necessary due diligence when taking out contracts with third parties to ensure to the best of our ability that they comply with data protection law.

Full details of all third parties can be found in the Wessex Garages Data Inventory published on our website.

13. Data Use

The personal data which Wessex Garages Ltd collects about you and the vehicle will be used:

To provide you with products and services, including to verify your eligibility for certain purchases and services as well as to offer you enhanced offers and experiences;

To inform you of updates to, or changes in, our products and services, including but not limited to changes to our terms and conditions and policies;

To inform you of new products, services and events;

To provide vehicle support and services (warranty service, recall information, etc.);

For product development purposes, for example to improve vehicle performance, quality and safety;

To evaluate and improve our offering to and communication with customers; and

To comply with legal requirements.

For most processing acts, you are able to opt out of our use of your personal data by updating your preferences, terminating a particular service, revoking your consent to the processing by contacting Wessex Garages at the address indicated in the “Information and Access” section below or as otherwise instructed by us. However, and unless otherwise follows from applicable law, you may generally not opt out of the processing of your personal data:

In relation to certain acts of collection and further processing of your Vehicle-recorded data (see the “Consent” section above);

Which we perform in order to send you important notices, such as changes to our terms and conditions and policies or in case of product recalls; and

Which we perform in order to comply with our legal obligations.

14. Retention

We will only retain your personal data for as long as it is necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy or the purposes of which you have otherwise been informed.

This means that once you have consented to our processing of your personal data, we will retain your data in accordance with the consent given and/or until you revoke your consent. If you have revoked your consent, we may nevertheless retain certain personal data for the period required in order for us to meet our legal obligations and defend ourselves in legal disputes. If we have not obtained your consent to the processing, the data will only be retained for as long as such a period of time as permitted by law.

Full details of retention periods for specific records can be found in the Wessex Garages Data Inventory published on our website.

14. Data Quality

Where we process your personal data, we strive to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date. We will seek to erase or rectify personal data that is inaccurate or incomplete. For more information regarding your right to ensure the accuracy of your personal data held by us, please see the “Information and Access” section below.

15. Information and Access

As stated in the “Notice” section above, we may provide you with specific information concerning our processing of your personal data when collecting or registering such data.

Once per year you have the right to request, and receive free of charge, information on (i) what personal data relating to you we process, (ii) where the personal data is collected, (iii) the purpose of the processing, and (iv),with which recipients or categories of recipients the personal data is shared. Requests for such information must be made in writing and be personally signed by you, and include information on name, address and, preferably, your e-mail address. You also have the right to request that we rectify any incorrect information we hold for you, the right to request that we erase data held on you (please note exemptions may apply under the GDPR or for legal purposes), the right to data portability and the right to restrict the processing of your information. Requests should be sent to: Data Protection Officer, Wessex Garages Ltd, Pennywell Road, Bristol BS5 0TT. Your requests will be dealt with in a prompt and proper manner. Requests to delete personal data will be subject to any applicable legal requirements. Where the applicable law provides for an administrative fee for complying with such a request, such a fee may be charged by Wessex Garages Ltd.



16. Security

Wessex Garages Ltd strives to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures in order to protect your personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction, accidental loss or alteration, unauthorised disclosure or access and any other unlawful forms of processing. We aim to ensure that the level of security and the measures adopted to protect your personal data are appropriate for the risks presented by the nature and use of your personal data.



17. Data Processing on our Behalf

We restrict access to your personal data to Wessex Garages employees and suppliers who need to use the information in order to process it on our behalf, and who are contractually required to keep your personal data secure and confidential. We aim to choose the option for data processing services that best safeguards the integrity of your personal data towards any third party.

18. Marketing

We will not sell or trade your personal data with third parties unless we have your consent to do so.

We will not share your personal data with third parties for their marketing purposes, unless we have received your consent for such disclosures. If you have provided such consent, but wish to stop receiving marketing materials from a third party, please contact that third party directly.

We may provide you with information regarding new products, services, events or similar marketing activities. If you wish to unsubscribe to a particular e-mail newsletter or similar communication, please follow the instructions in the relevant communication. You may contact your local Wessex Garages dealership to change previously submitted preferences.


Who invented electric cars?

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The concept of an electric powered vehicle has been around for two centuries, with many inventors - such as Hungarian Anyos Jedlik and Thomas and Emily Davenport - creating models that ran on electricity back in the early 1800s. In fact, it was the Davenports, alongside colleague Orange Smalley, that were awarded the US patent for an electric motor. However, many people regard Robert Davidson as the true pioneer, with the development of the first large scale electric car built between 1837-1841.

How long do hybrid car batteries last?

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This depends on a number of factors. For example, age, usage, and mileage all affect the lifespan of a hybrid’s battery, but many experts expect that average battery to last for up to a decade.

Are electric car charging stations free?

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Depending on where you charge your vehicle, the price will vary. Rapid charging stations often require a small payment for use, while points at supermarkets and car parks are often free of charge.

How does an electric car charge?

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Charging your electric car is simple. Using home charging devices and public charge points dotted throughout the country means you will always be able to replenish the charge in your vehicle’s battery.

Are electric car batteries recyclable?

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Electric car batteries - lithium-ion batteries similar to those found in smaller devices such as laptops and mobile phones - are recyclable, and will continue to hold a charge that can be used to support the electricity grid and other, less reliable sources of energy.

Are hybrid cars bad for your health?

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Only if you’re involved in an accident! Other than that, it is the regular CO2 emissions that are harmful when inhaled.  

The Range

Which electric car has the best range?

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At present, the Tesla Model S offers the best range among electric vehicles, capable of covering up to 393 miles.

What is Nissan LEAF range?

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The latest iteration of the acclaimed Nissan LEAF currently delivers a range of 168 miles.

What is the Hyundai hybrid range?

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The Hyundai hybrid range incorporates a selection of vehicles, with the Ioniq arguably the pick of the bunch, and available in regular and plug-in hybrid iterations.

How much is a Hyundai Ioniq?

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The starting price of a new Hyundai Ioniq is £22,795 for the standard hybrid and £29,950 for the plug-in. However, ensure you check with your local Wessex Hyundai dealership to learn more about any special offers and deposit contributions that may be available. You’ll also be able to pick up pre-owned Ioniqs at a more than competitive price.

Which electric car is best to buy?

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Budget, style tastes, and driving requirements will dictate your choice of electric car. If you need to only cover a few miles, a cheaper option to take you around town is ideal, while longer journeys with a family mean you need an electric vehicle with far greater interior space and range. Speak to our experts today to learn more.

Can the Nissan LEAF be charged at home?

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Thanks to the 7kW home charger, you can fully replenish the battery of your Nissan LEAF in 7.5 hours at home.

Is the Kia Niro Hybrid self-charging?

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The Kia Niro Hybrid comes in two iterations - plug-in and self-charging. Utilising regenerative braking technology, the Kia Niro Self-Charging Hybrid converts energy lost through braking into a charge to replenish the battery.

How does a Kia Niro hybrid work?

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Depending on the model you choose, the Kia Niro Hybrid is either charged via an electric outlet or utilises regenerative braking to charge the battery. Both work alongside a traditional combustion engine to offer lower CO2 emissions when driving.