Are you unsure about switching to an electric vehicle? Go Zero Charge debunks the Top 10 electric vehicle myths to help you transition to electrification.
As the UK heads toward the looming ban on the production of diesel and petrol cars in 2030, there’s still a significant gap in electric vehicle (EV) awareness and education in the motoring space, causing unfair prejudice against EVs due to myths that have grown in popularity.
In response, the team of EV experts behind the Optimus, www.GoZeroCharge.com‘s top-of-the-line smart EV charger, have exposed a handful of the most common electric vehicle myths in a bid to encourage more motorists to make the transition.
There’s no financial upside
One of the most common electric vehicle myths is that there are no financial upsides. In fact, owning an EV can lead to significant cost savings, particularly with the current measures in place to provide financial advantages to EV owners.
For instance, EVs are currently exempt from vehicle tax, although this exemption is scheduled to change from April 2025, when standard road tax rates (currently £165 per year) will be applicable.
In addition to the current vehicle tax exemption, some energy suppliers offer cheaper tariffs specifically for EV charging, and certain car parks provide free parking spaces for electric vehicles.
If you would like to know more about Solar Panels and the PowerBanx range of home battery systems, and get a free instant quote, please complete our online form:
Dendo Drive House automatically shares energy between electric cars and the home
Coming this year, Mitsubishi will sell a system that lets you share power between your home and electric car. Launched today at the Geneva Motor Show, the Dendo Drive House (DDH) features solar panels, a home battery, and a bi-directional charger that lets power flow from your home to your car, or from your car to your home — depending on the economics and which needs the power most. DDH supports cars like the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer that the company also announced at the show
There are a number of scenarios when having your car charge your home could be useful. In addition to opening up a world of off-grid living, it could also serve as a backup in the event of a power cut, for example. The system could also be useful if your electricity tariff offers you a discount during off-peak hours, when the electricity grid is under less load and cheaper to use as a result. For example, your car could inexpensively charge itself overnight, and then power your AC during the day. Of course, this will only work if you’re not planning on using the car to make any trips during that time.
The system supports both pure electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrids like the new Engelberg Tourer and existing Outlander PHEV. Mitsubishi plans on offering both professional installation as well as maintenance services for the system as a package from its dealerships. Self-installation won’t be possible.
Is the all-electric Hyundai Kona a better SUV buy than a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or the hybrid Toyota C-HR?
As emissions regulations become ever more stringent, car manufacturers are increasingly looking for ways to cut down their models’ CO2 outputs – or eradicate them altogether.
This in turn means buyers who take the plunge have to fork out less money on their vehicles’ running costs. But if you’re looking to buy an Alternative Fuel Vehicle, what’s the best way to go?
Hyundai Kona Electric (Image: Hyundai)
There are many different types of technology in the marketplace, so to make sure you choose the right approach for your needs we’ve lined up three of the best alternatively-fuelled SUVs on sale today. In the all-electric camp is the Hyundai Kona Electric, our favourite affordable EV. Representing plug-in power is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Britain’s best-selling plug-in hybrid car, and flying the flag for conventional hybrid technology is the Toyota C-HR.
We really like all three models because of their ability to save fuel (or energy). So over the course of this test we’ll outline exactly how the tech in each car works, how to get the most from them and what you can expect from them day to day as we pick a winner.
Hyundai Kona Electric
If you’re looking at an electric car there’s a growing number to choose from, but the Hyundai Kona Electric is our current favourite affordable EV. Here we’re running the rule over the 39kWh model in Premium trim, at £28,720.
Electric cars are all about easy performance, and there’s plenty present here. The Kona Electric covered 0-60mph in 8.6 seconds (the fastest of the three cars), with an instant and impressive hit from 0-30mph. Acceleration tails off after this, but there’s still enough zip at motorway speeds for overtakes.
This is where the Kona is most comfortable, absorbing bumps with a welcome level of elasticity. Around town it’s also good; it’s just on twistier country roads (when the Kona’s chassis is being asked to cope with more) where it loses composure. It’s never uncomfortable, though.
The government’s announcement that Category 2 and 3 hybrid cars will no longer be eligible for its Plug-In Car Grant seems totally incongruous in terms of environmental and societal policies, CO2 targets and other influences.
Private motorists, company car drivers and fleet managers have been buffeted around by continuously changing messages and strategies for too long.
Hybrids are now widely perceived by many as the obvious step amidst today’s anti-diesel climate and the near future looked very promising thanks to the procession of new hybrid models in the pipeline, such as PHEV iterations of the Honda CR-V, SKODA Superb and Volvo XC40.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Image: T. Larkum)
The government’s cessation of monetary support for plug-in hybrid vehicles will leave many prospective car leasing and finance customers scratching their heads, with monthly rentals or repayment costs set to rise by around £65 on a 3-year contract.
Between now and 2020, only eligible fully-electric vehicles that can travel at least 70 miles without emitting any CO2 will receive the reduced level of £3,500 support.
Although it’s understandable that the government wants people and businesses to adopt full EVs sooner rather than later, this move is a blow because only a small number of vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe will be eligible and their compactness may limit interest, as does the Tesla’s price tag.
In other ways, though, the exclusion of plug-in hybrids from the PICG hasn’t come as a surprise. Introduced in 2011, the PICG was never expected to be a limitless pot of gold and was originally widely expected to expire around five years later.
June was the second-best month all time for plug-in electric car sales in Europe with more than 38,000 units put on the road.
With year-over-year growth of 37% in June, market share jumped to 2.4% (2.2% for the first half of the year).
The total sales in the first six months nearly hit 185,000 (43% more than a year ago) and it’s expected that more than 400,000 is possible in all of 2018.
Ultra-low emission registrations up (Image: OLEV)
The top five best selling models in Europe – for the year are:
Nissan LEAF – 3,377 and 17,944 YTD
Renault ZOE – 3,425 and 17,016 YTD
BMW i3 – 2,002 and 11,301 YTD
Volkswagen e-Golf – 1,447 and 9,796 YTD
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – 2,174 and 9,662 YTD
Renault ZOE this time managed to beat Nissan LEAF and close the gap a little bit in the race for the best selling model.
As usual, the last month of the quarter brings some decent numbers from Tesla – 2,105 Model S and 1,829 Model X in June and 7,699 and 5,600, respectively for the year-to-date.
The European passenger plug-in market continues pushing forward. In June, the continent registered some 38,000 plug-in electric vehicles (PEV), up 37% relative to the same period last year and the continent’s second best performance ever.
That showing pulled the year-to-date (YTD) count to some 185,000 deliveries (+43% year over year, or YoY). In total, the 2018 PEV market share of the overall car market there is up to 2.2% (2.4% in June).
This time, fully electric cars (BEVs) grew slower (+20%) than PHEVs (+55%). Will we see all-electrics bounce back in the second half of the year?
Looking at Europe’s fuel mix, diesel continues to drop significantly (-16% YoY) in a growing market (+5.2%), while all other fuels (including CNG, LPG, …) are on the rise, profiting from the diesel-fleeing stampede. At this pace, the new registrations of diesel-powered vehicles will be virtually dead by 2025.
June saw the Renault Zoe beat the Nissan Leaf for the first time since February, with BEVs continuing to own the top positions. The Tesla Model S, meanwhile, profited from the usual last-month-of-quarter peak to join the top 5. It landed in the #4 position.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV managed to score another top 5 presence as well, winning at the same time the bestselling PHEV award.
Among models that landed in 2018, the best selling one is the Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV, which registered 235 units in June, adding to the current 498 registrations made this year.
There weren’t cars only on display inside the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre (EVEC) at the launch. There were also a large number charging up outside, presumably getting ready for test drives for the public for the opening the next day.
Electric cars ready for free test drives in Milton Keynes (Image: T. Larkum)
The large numbers and broad range of EVs available was impressive.
How about a quick quiz: can you identify them all? The answers are given below.
Electric cars ready for free test drives in Milton Keynes (Image: T. Larkum)
Of course, whether you own an EV or are considering your first, you’re welcome to test drive any of the vehicles on show for free. Just get in touch and we’ll help arrange it.
Answers to the Quiz: these are the electric cars waiting to give test drives (from nearest the camera to furthest away):
Last weekend saw the long awaited opening of the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre (EVEC) in Milton Keynes. It officially opened to the public on Saturday 22nd July. It is funded through a government scheme awarded to the local council and is managed by Chargemaster, the company that has installed the majority of charge points around Milton Keynes.
The Preview Event at the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre (Image: T. Larkum)
The EVEC is essentially a car showroom for electric cars but is located in a shop space on Crown Walk in the main centre:mk shopping centre (it’s close to the middle and next to Boots). It doesn’t resemble an out-of-town dealership so much as the boutique style shops developed by Tesla, Apple and most mobile ‘phone companies.
EVEC Purpose
The aim of the Centre is to both showcase existing electric models and be an information point for EV ownership in general. Visitors will be able to talk with staff about all elements of owning and running an EV, with test drives available too. It has been established to increase the number of EVs sold in the area. Milton Keynes’ target is for 23% of all new cars registered locally to be electric by 2021.
The Preview Event at the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre (Image: T. Larkum)
We are grateful to Chargemaster for inviting us to the Preview Event on Friday Night (Jo’s thoughts: A Little Bit of Zen). Most of the other guests appeared to be existing EV owners. The showroom housed examples of the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Volkswagen Golf GTE and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. There were drinks and snacks, and then introductory speeches by David Martell, Chief Executive of Chargemaster, and Ted Foster, the new EVEC Manager. After the talks we had an opportunity to talk to Ted and the other staff.
EVEC Test Drives
As well as providing help and guidance on electric cars and EV driving, the EVEC is also making cars available for test drives. These can be short accompanied drives, however there is also the option of week-long extended test drives. For these there will be a charge (we understand about £70) largely to cover the inevitable cost of insurance. That’s seems fair to us – £10 per day to drive a new car, particularly considering the fuel costs will be negligible.
The Preview Event at the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre (Image: J. Pegram-Mills)
The enthusiasm of the EVEC ‘gurus’ is clear and we certainly appreciate the enthusiasm and resources that have gone into building and staffing the first dedicated electric vehicle showroom in the UK (and probably in the world). We wish it every success and will be supporting it by passing local customers to it for test drives.
If you live near Milton Keynes and are interested in taking a test drive in any one of a large range of new electric cars (including the Renault ZOE, Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Golf GTE, and others) just get in touch with us on 01908-904020, or by email at sales@ fuelincluded.com.
Mitsubishi has upgraded the levels of equipment in its Outlander PHEV Juro – the one of the best value trim levels available for the UK’s best selling plug-in car.
Following on from a recent raft of revisions to the Outlander range, the Juro trim now has an electronic parking brake with auto hold, smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB added to the audio system, a reversing camera, and EV Priority mode.
The Juro trim level benefits from improved equipment levels
This last function allows the driver to hold the car in electric-only mode for as long as there is charge in the battery pack. Without the engine kicking in, it means the Outlander PHEV can be driven effectively as an EV for short distances.
The improved smartphone connectivity allows for safer driving and greater convenience. Drivers can use the phone’s voice commands and certain apps through the car, for traffic updates for example. Other features on the Juro specification include 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, climate control, and Mitsubishi PHEV app for pre-conditioning capability.
The new model is available to order now, with prices staring at £33,499 after the UK Government’s Plug-in Car Grant – worth £2,500 for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – has been taken off.
When buying an electric car it is nearly always worthwhile to get a dedicated charge point installed at home.
It’s more convenient than an ‘occasional use’ or ‘granny’ (13 Amp) charge cable because you don’t need to reel it up and put it away each time.
Charging a Renault ZOE with a Home Charge Point (Image: Charging Solutions)
It will also be significantly faster because a dedicated charge point can provide more power without the risk of overheating. Also some electric cars, such as the Renault ZOE, don’t come with such a cable and buying one yourself can be very expensive (£500+).
The good news is that the installation of domestic charge points is subsidised by the UK government.
There are 3 decisions to be made when selecting the type of charge point for your car:
Tethered or Untethered
Connector Types
Power Level
Tethered or Untethered
There is usually the choice of a ‘tethered’ cable (it is fixed to the charge point) or an ‘untethered’ cable (it plugs into and can be removed from the charge point).
Untethered and Tethered Charge Points (Image: Chargemaster)
Untethered has the advantage of allowing different cables to be connected (for example you can use the same charge point for a Nissan Leaf and a Renault ZOE). However, most people choose tethered because it avoids the inconvenience of connecting a cable whenever you need to charge (usually daily). It also reduces the risk of the cable being stolen.
A charge point with a tethered cable will usually cost more than an untethered one (typically about £50 more) because of the cost of its cable.
Untethered and Tethered Charge Points (Images: POD Point)
If you choose untethered you will need to use your own cable to connect to the car; it is the same cable that would be used to connect to a public charging point. It may come free with the car, for example the Renault ZOE or the Nissan Leaf with the 6.6kW charge option come with one. Otherwise you will need to buy one (we can advise you on suppliers).
Connector Types
All untethered domestic charge points supplied in the UK come with a Type 2 socket on the charge point, just as all public charge points now have (or at least officially should have) Type 2 sockets. Similarly all charge cables have a Type 2 plug at the charge point end.
Type 1 (5 pin) and Type 2 (7 pin) connectors
If the cable is tethered then you need to tell the installer the type of plug you want at the car end. This will depend on the car:
Type 1 socket: Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Kia Soul EV
Type 2 socket: Renault ZOE, BMW i3, Tesla, VW e-Golf and Hyundai IONIQ
The Type 2 or ‘Mennekes’ connector is the official standard in Europe and should eventually replace the Type 1.
Power Level
A dedicated charge point can provide higher powers than a typical occasional use charging cable which will run at 10 Amps, equivalent at 230 Volts to 2.3 kilowatts. The charge will take place at the highest power that both the charge point can provide and the car can use.
There are two common power levels:
16A = 3.5kW: This is the maximum charge level of the Nissan Leaf 3.3kW, the Mitsubishi Outlander and the VW e-Golf.
30A/32A = 7kW: This is the maximum charge level of the Nissan Leaf 6.6kW, BMW i3, Kia Soul EV and Hyundai IONIQ. The standard Renault ZOE can use this level, in fact anything up to 22kW.
The higher power reduces the charge time so a typical EV battery will charge in about 8 hours at 16A but in about 4 hours at 32A.
It may be best to install the highest power charge point you can afford; even if your current car can’t use all the power, the next one almost certainly will be able to.
