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AUTHOR

Ellis Hyde

Welcome one and all, I’m Ellis the news reporter on Auto Express, and the brand’s former online reviews editor. But I’m proud to say I cut my teeth reporting and reviewing all things EV as the content editor on our sister site, DrivingElectric. I joined the team while completing my master’s degree in automotive journalism at Coventry University and since then I’ve driven just about every electric car and hybrid I could get my hands on. 

In 2022 I won the Newspress Rising Star Award for my work on DrivingElectric, which included reporting on electrified cars of shapes and sizes, from two-seat city runabouts to million pound classic car conversions. Before I joined DrivingElectric, I found the complexity of the technology or infrastructure around EVs could be overwhelming at times. That’s why I’ve always tried to make topics like charging speeds and energy consumption easy to understand, especially for first time buyers taking their first steps into the world of electrified motoring.

Ellis Hyde’s expertise and interests

  • Newsgathering
  • Electric cars
  • EV charging networks
  • Reviewing cars
  • Photography

Ellis Hyde electric car Q&A

What’s the best thing about electric cars?

“The easy answer is probably how relaxing most electric cars are to drive, but what I really love is how certain brands are able to push the boundaries of how they design and build cars because of EV technology. Whether you’re talking about household names like Hyundai and Kia, or new kids on the block such as Lucid or Rivian, their cars demonstrate what is possible in the electric age when you start with a clean sheet of paper and don’t hold back.”

What was your first electric car experience?

“I had just convinced my dad to get an electric car, but before he test drove any we went along for a passenger ride in his friend’s Tesla Model 3 Performance. Now I thought I knew what to expect when we hit the road, but when he put his foot to the floor, we were propelled into another postcode before I could comprehend what just happened. The instant power delivery of an electric car is incredibly addictive, and still baffles me every time I experience it.”

What one piece of advice would you give to electric car buyers?

“Think long and hard about how you’re going to keep your car charged. For some that’ll be easy if you can get a charging point installed at your home or work, and ideally you should get that sorted before your new EV arrives. But if you’re mostly planning on using public charging stations, then you need to find out how many chargers are near you, which networks operate them and potentially how busy they can get at peak times, like after you’ve finished work. Zap-Map and Bonnet are two great apps to help you find nearby chargers, and I recommend every EV owner should have both on their phones.”

Ellis on social media and e-mail

e-mail: ellis_hyde@autovia.co.uk

Twitter: @EllisDrives

Instagram: @ellis.drives

LinkedIn: Ellis Hyde

Iconic Ford Capri to be reborn as all-electric coupe-SUV
Ford Capri spy shot
News

Iconic Ford Capri to be reborn as all-electric coupe-SUV

The new Capri will use the same MEB platform as Ford Explorer and Volkswagen ID.4
10 Nov 2023
Vauxhall Combo Electric gets sharp new look and range boost for 2024
New Vauxhall Combo Electric
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Vauxhall Combo Electric gets sharp new look and range boost for 2024

The small electric van now sports Vauxhall’s signature ‘Vizor’ grille and offers 205-mile range
10 Nov 2023
New Polestar 5 unveiled: luxury flagship to take on the mighty Tesla Model S
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New Polestar 5 unveiled: luxury flagship to take on the mighty Tesla Model S

The Polestar 5 has officially broken cover, and it’s set to hit the road in 2025
10 Nov 2023
New Volkswagen ID.7 brings the fight to the Tesla Model 3
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New Volkswagen ID.7 brings the fight to the Tesla Model 3

Volkswagen’s new flagship EV will eventually offer up to 430 miles of range, but not just yet
9 Nov 2023
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New Peugeot E-Rifter electric seven-seater makes practicality look (a bit) sexy
Peugeot E-Rifter DrivingElectric 2023
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New Peugeot E-Rifter electric seven-seater makes practicality look (a bit) sexy

Peugeot’s electric people carrier gets new look and slight specification bump for 2024
7 Nov 2023
Renault Megane E-Tech review
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Renault Megane E-Tech review

Comfortable, refined and with one of the best infotainment systems in the business: there’s a lot to like about Renault’s electric family car
13 Sep 2023
What is fast charging? What is rapid charging? What is ultra-rapid charging? EV charging speeds explained
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What is fast charging? What is rapid charging? What is ultra-rapid charging? EV charging speeds explained

AC fast charging, DC rapid charging and DC ultra-rapid charging are three phrases often associated with electric-car charging, but what's the differen…
29 Aug 2023
Complete guide to the ChargePlace Scotland charging network
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Your questions answered

Complete guide to the ChargePlace Scotland charging network

Looking for EV charging points in Scotland? This guide includes everything you need to know about the ChargePlace Scotland network
18 Aug 2023
Complete guide to Pod Point home chargers
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Your questions answered

Complete guide to Pod Point home chargers

Find out all you need to know about the Pod Point Solo 3 home wallbox charger for electric cars
18 Aug 2023
Electric classic cars: costs, companies and conversions
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Electric classic cars: costs, companies and conversions

We take a look at what it takes to convert a classic car to electric power, as well as some of the best examples produced to date
18 Aug 2023
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Nissan Ariya review
Nissan Ariya
In-depth reviews

Nissan Ariya review

Comfortable, refined and striking, Nissan’s follow-up to the pioneering Leaf is a strong contender in the electric family-car class
3 Aug 2023
Mercedes C-Class plug-in hybrid review
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In-depth reviews

Mercedes C-Class plug-in hybrid review

The plug-in hybrid Mercedes C 300 e comes with an impressive infotainment system and 68-mile electric driving range
26 Jul 2023
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Honda HR-V hybrid review
Honda HR-V
In-depth reviews

Honda HR-V hybrid review

The HR-V's styling, cabin, infotainment and efficiency make it a strong alternative to the Toyota Yaris Cross and other compact SUVs
26 Jul 2023
Kia Sportage PHEV review
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Kia Sportage PHEV review

The first-ever plug-in hybrid Kia Sportage is a refined and practical family SUV, with an impressive 43-mile electric range, but it starts at just und…
24 Jul 2023
Kia Sportage Hybrid review
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Kia Sportage Hybrid review

The fifth generation of Kia’s mid-size family SUV is a refined cruiser with an impressive infotainment setup, although the ride may be on the firm sid…
21 Jul 2023
What is CHAdeMO charging?
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What is CHAdeMO charging?

CHAdeMO was the original rapid-charging DC standard and allows for quick top-ups in the Nissan Leaf, plus a handful of other models
21 Jul 2023
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Kia Niro PHEV review
Kia Niro PHEV
In-depth reviews

Kia Niro PHEV review

The new plug-in hybrid Kia Niro improves on what was already a great family car with a longer range, class-leading tech and even better fuel economy t…
21 Jul 2023
Complete guide to the IONITY rapid-charging network
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Your questions answered

Complete guide to the IONITY rapid-charging network

The manufacturer-backed IONITY rapid-charging network is expanding across the UK and Europe – here's all you need to know
23 Jun 2023
Vauxhall Astra Electric: price, range and video
Vauxhall Astra Electric
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Vauxhall Astra Electric: price, range and video

The new Astra Electric shares its parts with the Peugeot e-308, with first deliveries due soon
15 Jun 2023
BMW iX review
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BMW iX review

BMW's flagship electric SUV has love-it-or-hate-it styling, but to drive, the iX is a thoroughly impressive all-rounder that gives the Tesla Model X a…
9 Jun 2023
Top 10 best plug-in hybrid cars 2023
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Top 10 best plug-in hybrid cars 2023

Here are our top picks of the best plug-in hybrid motoring options you can buy in the UK right now
30 May 2023
Top 10 best hybrid company cars 2023
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Top 10 best hybrid company cars 2023

Looking to bust your Benefit-in-Kind bills? We showcase the best hybrid company cars on sale today
25 May 2023
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Hyundai Ioniq 5 review
Hyundai Ioniq 5
In-depth reviews

Hyundai Ioniq 5 review

With more presence than most supercars, ultra-rapid charging and luxury-car-like ride quality and interior comfort, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is hard to fau…
18 May 2023
​Affordable Tesla ‘Model 2’ electric hatchback shown again
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​Affordable Tesla ‘Model 2’ electric hatchback shown again

CEO Elon Musk has again teased Tesla’s future MG4 EV and Volkswagen ID.3 rival – hinting two models may be on the way
17 May 2023
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Electric Abarth 500e costs over £10k more than the petrol model
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Electric Abarth 500e costs over £10k more than the petrol model

The hot version of Fiat’s electric city car does 0-62mph in seven seconds, and is now on-sale from £34,195
4 May 2023
Top 10 best hybrid estate cars 2023
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Top 10 best hybrid estate cars 2023

The best hybrid estate cars you can buy right now in the UK save you money on fuel, but still have plenty of space inside. Here are our top picks
30 Mar 2023
New electric vans arriving in 2023 and beyond
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New electric vans arriving in 2023 and beyond

The electric van market has taken off in the last couple of years, with numerous new models now available and even more on the way…
3 Mar 2023
Renault Kangoo E-Tech review
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Renault Kangoo E-Tech review

Renault’s new compact electric van gets more technology, range and cargo space than before, jumping straight to the front of the pack
1 Mar 2023
New PoGo rapid charging network launches in the UK
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New PoGo rapid charging network launches in the UK

PoGo intends to install over 100 ultra-rapid chargers in 2023, and build more than 2,000 charging stations over the next four years
28 Feb 2023
What is a Type 2 charging cable?
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What is a Type 2 charging cable?

Every electric car sold in the UK uses the Type 2 connector to charge. Here’s everything you need to know about charging an EV…
28 Feb 2023
Where can I buy hydrogen and where is my nearest hydrogen filling station?
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Where can I buy hydrogen and where is my nearest hydrogen filling station?

A guide to where you can find hydrogen fuel stations for filling up a hydrogen fuel-cell car in the UK
27 Feb 2023
BMW iX5 Hydrogen: first drive in BMW’s hydrogen fuel-cell SUV
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BMW iX5 Hydrogen: first drive in BMW’s hydrogen fuel-cell SUV

We get behind the wheel of a hydrogen fuel-cell version of the BMW X5: is this the next giant leap for zero-emission cars?
27 Feb 2023
Is an electric car safe in a crash?
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Is an electric car safe in a crash?

What happens to electric cars and their batteries in a crash? Don't worry, the answer is reassuring…
21 Feb 2023
Mercedes EQB review
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Mercedes EQB review

Mercedes' electric seven-seater SUV is usefully practical and offers a refined driving experience, but at over £55,000, it's an expensive family car
21 Feb 2023
What is Android Auto? Electric cars with Android Auto
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What is Android Auto? Electric cars with Android Auto

Google's Android Auto smartphone integration software is very useful – here's why, and how to use it
16 Feb 2023
New Jeep Avenger electric SUV: prices, specs, range and first-look video
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New Jeep Avenger electric SUV: prices, specs, range and first-look video

Jeep’s first EV offers 248-mile range with an all-wheel-drive version to come; Avenger 1st Edition on sale now, priced at £36,500
15 Feb 2023
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