Your electric and hybrid car questions answered
We're here to help! Send us your questions about hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars and we'll do our best to answer
Whether you’re considering buying your first hybrid car, or you’re a devotee of the zero-emissions lifestyle, you might still have plenty of questions when it comes to charging, ownership or even the differences between each type of electric vehicle.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to learn more about home wallbox charger sharing, find out how to choose the best charger or wondering just how fast 'rapid charging' is – we’re here to help.
On this page you’ll also find our complete guides to charging networks like IONITY, BP Pulse, char.gy, InstaVolt, Gridserve's Electric Highway and the Tesla Supercharger network, and even where to find your nearest hydrogen refuelling station.
Here are some of the questions we get asked most often:
How much is the Benefit-in-Kind company-car tax on an electric car?
The big question for company-car drivers looking to make the switch to electric.
Electric cars vs hybrid cars vs plug-in hybrids
What are the differences between the three main types of electrified car – and which one is right for you?
How to find electric-car charging points: Zap-Map
Zap-Map is the go-to tool for electric-car drivers looking for charging points near them.
What is fast charging? What is rapid charging? What is ultra-rapid charging?
If you’re looking to make longer journeys in an electric car, then you’re going to want to take advantage of the UK’s vast array of fast and rapid charging options.
More frequently asked questions:
- What is the UK electric car grant and electric van grant?
- Are electric cars expensive to insure?
- London Congestion Charge exempt cars: do electric cars have to pay?
- How long does it take to charge an electric car?
- How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle?
Just scroll down to see all the electric and hybrid car questions we’ve answered...
More on Your questions answered
Complete guide to the Source London charging network
Complete guide to the Source London charging network
Not familiar with the Source London electric-car charging network? Here’s how to sign up, pay and charge your car at one of its on-street points
1 Dec 2021
Complete guide to the Liberty Charge network
Complete guide to the Liberty Charge network
New addition to the UK charging landscape promises 500 on-street points in London and Northamptonshire by the end of 2021
1 Dec 2021
Complete guide to the InstaVolt charging network
Complete guide to the InstaVolt charging network
Need to charge up your electric car on the InstaVolt charging network? Here’s how it works
25 Nov 2021
Complete guide to the BP Pulse (formerly Polar Plus) charging network
Complete guide to the BP Pulse (formerly Polar Plus) charging network
This is how to charge your electric or plug-in hybrid car on the BP Pulse public charging network (which was formerly known as the Polar Plus network)
24 Nov 2021
Complete guide to the IONITY charging network
Complete guide to the IONITY charging network
The manufacturer-backed IONITY rapid-charging network is expanding across the UK and Europe – here's all you need to know
24 Nov 2021
Are electric cars expensive to insure?
Are electric cars expensive to insure?
Everything you need to know about insuring an electric car, including how expensive it is and why
23 Nov 2021
Complete guide to Hive EV Charging
Complete guide to Hive EV Charging
All you need to know about the Hive EV Charging wallbox and app
18 Nov 2021
What is a wallbox charger?
What is a wallbox charger?
What is a wallbox charger? What does it do? Do you really need one? Here, we answer the most common questions about these devices
18 Nov 2021
Electric car charging points near me: UK map and network guide
Electric car charging points near me: UK map and network guide
Use our simple guide to find your nearest electric car charging points for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles
18 Nov 2021
What is a mild hybrid (MHEV)?
What is a mild hybrid (MHEV)?
Just what is a mild hybrid car – also known as a mild hybrid electric vehicle, or MHEV – and how do they work? Our handy guide explains it all
10 Nov 2021
What is a range extender (REx) and how do they work?
What is a range extender (REx) and how do they work?
Range extenders – or extended-range electric vehicles – are an alternative form of electric car. They help eliminate range anxiety while maintaining m…
10 Nov 2021
Range anxiety: here's what happens when an electric car runs out
Range anxiety: here's what happens when an electric car runs out
What is range anxiety? Here's what happens when an electric car's battery runs out – and what you should do if it happens
10 Nov 2021
The UK electric car grant and electric van grant explained
The UK electric car grant and electric van grant explained
The UK government's plug-in car grant (PiCG) subsidy offers buyers £2,500 off new electric cars costing less than £35,000; a plug-in van grant (PiVG) …
10 Nov 2021
What is a hybrid car?
What is a hybrid car?
What is a hybrid car – sometimes called a full hybrid, or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) – and how do hybrid cars work? Here, we explain everything to …
10 Nov 2021
What is a hydrogen fuel-cell car, or FCEV?
What is a hydrogen fuel-cell car, or FCEV?
A hydrogen fuel-cell car – or fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) – may sound like science-fiction, but they're here and could form a major part of the …
10 Nov 2021
Complete guide to the OZEV EVHS electric car home charging point grant
Complete guide to the OZEV EVHS electric car home charging point grant
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) electric car wallbox charger grant – known as the EV Homecharge Scheme, or EVHS – makes installing a home…
10 Nov 2021
London Congestion Charge exempt cars: do electric cars have to pay to enter the CCZ?
London Congestion Charge exempt cars: do electric cars have to pay to enter the CCZ?
Do electric cars have to pay the London Congestion Charge? We explain the ins and outs of how this daily levy for entering the UK capital's Congestion…
10 Nov 2021
What is a battery electric car (BEV) and how do electric cars work?
What is a battery electric car (BEV) and how do electric cars work?
What makes electric cars – properly referred to as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) different from petrol and diesel vehicles? And how do electric car…
10 Nov 2021
What is regenerative braking?
What is regenerative braking?
Check out our guide to regen braking – sometimes known as 'B mode'. We explain what it is, how it works and why you needn’t be afraid of it
10 Nov 2021
What is fast charging? What is rapid charging? What is ultra-rapid charging? EV charging speeds explained
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…
10 Nov 2021
Electric-car conversions: can I build my own electric car?
Electric-car conversions: can I build my own electric car?
The idea of carrying out your own electric-car conversion seems tempting, but you’ll need specialist knowledge and it won't be cheap
4 Nov 2021
Electric classic cars: iconic models reinvented for the 21st century
Electric classic cars: iconic models reinvented for the 21st century
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
4 Nov 2021
How to choose the best home EV charger
How to choose the best home EV charger
If you're buying an electric or plug-in hybrid car and you have a driveway or off-street parking adjacent to your property, then you'll want a home EV…
28 Oct 2021
Will an electric car work in the winter?
Will an electric car work in the winter?
Worried about a cold snap immobilising your electric car? Here, we explain how cold weather affects electric vehicles
28 Oct 2021