How do electric vehicles work?

Electric vehicles are powered purely by rechargeable batteries. They do not rely on petrol or diesel. The batteries control the electric motors which then power the wheels. The battery can then be charged via a wall socket (at home) or dedicated charging point (found at multiple locations).

Are electric cars quiet?

Yes! Almost silent, due to the absence of a gas-powered engine. In fact, some electric cars make an artifical noise, so that they don't go unnoticed by pedestrians.

How fast are electric cars?

At lightning speed! Well, not quite... electric cars don't use a traditional gearbox, so the torque produced by the electric motors can see EVs reach from 0-60mph in under 3 seconds.

How far can an electric car travel?

Most EV's in the market average around 100 miles before they need recharging. However, some of the higher capacity batteries can see cars trael as far as 250 miles between charges.

How long will an electric car last?

Electric cars are just as durable as their petrol or diesel counterparts. In fact, as there are less mechanical parts to go wrong, you may find an EV will last longer than traditional fuel cars. Most EV batteries are warranted for 8 years/100,000 miles.

Are electric cars environmentally friendly?

EVs are environmentally friendly in many ways. They don't emit carbon emissions like traditional fuel cars and they create very little noise pollution.

Are electric cars safe?

Electric cars are as safe to drive as traditional fuel vehicles.

BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicles. A BEV is all-electric and uses no traditional fuel.

What is the difference between BEV and PHEV?

A PHEV operates by both electric battery and traditional fuel. The car will usually run on electric power until the battery is depleted, then it will switch over to traditional fuel for the remainder of the journey. A BEV is only fueled by the electric battery.

What are the benefits of owning an electric car?

EV's are cheaper to run due to lower running costs, cheaper to maintain due to less mechanical parts and, lower company car tax, government grants, free charging stations and they’re better for the environment.

Are electric cars reliable?

Electric vehicles are naturally more reliable than their traditional fuel counterparts, due to there being less mechanical parts to go wrong. They usually come with an longer warranty, around 8 years or 100,000 miles.

How long do electric batteries last?

Most batteries are under warranty by manufacturers for 8 years/100,000 miles, however there are a number of factors that can affect battery lifespan such as temperature and overcharging.

How often do you have to replace the battery?

This will depend on the manufacturer warranty as well as the usage – on average most batteries will be replaced every 5-8 years. The batteries can then be sent for recycling.

Where can I charge my electric car?

You can charge an electric car at your home or at a public charging station. If you need to find a charging station, you can find them here: https://www.zap-map.com/

How long does an electric car take to charge?

Charging times can depend on both th battery size and the charging point. Slow Charger (up to 3kw), Fast chargers (7-22kw), Rapid chargers (43-120kw), Super chargers (150kw).

Are charging stations free to use?

Some public charging stations are free to use, however the rapid chargers available at service stations and the like are usually chargable. You can subscribe to charging services nationwide for even better value charging. A typical electric car (60kw battery/200 mile range) will cost you around £9 to charge at home, most work places that have installed electric chargers will offer free charging as will public charge points at supermarkets/car parks. Rapid charging points will usually cost under £10 for a 30 min charge (100 mile range) and will most commonly be found at motorway service stations.

Do all electric vehicles use the same plug?

No, most EVs will be supplied with 2 charging cables. A mode 2 charging cable which is used for connecting your car to an ordinary domestic socket (3 pin plug) for at-home charging, and a Mode 3 charging cable which will connect your car to the charging station.

Can I get funding toward a home charging point?

Yes, the government do offer a grant to install a charge point at home. Please ask about current availability.

Discover the Kia Electric & Hybrid range at Drayton Motors

The Kia Electric and Hybrid Range

Kia Electric and Hybrid cars use electric power or a combination of electric and petrol power to drive the engine. This makes them more economical to run with lower emissions than a traditional petrol driven car.

So, whether you want to reduce your carbon footprint, or simply wish to lower the cost of running your car, there are plenty of reasons to go electric and making the switch is much simpler than you might think.

Reasons to drive an Electric or Hybrid car
The Eco-nomical choice

Because Hybrid cars use an electric motor as an additional source of power to support the combustion less fuel is used, which in turn cuts down your running costs.
Tax incentives

For company car drivers, battery-electric cars are subject to a lower company car BIK tax, which for battery-electric cars is 2% in 2022/23. All hybrid powertrains also benefit from lower BIK tax rates and still have the potential to save you thousands of pounds compared to a traditional petrol or diesel equivalent.

See Government Grant Details
Relaxing Drive

Electric cars are incredibly quiet, making for a more relaxing atmosphere. Driving is easy too, because electric motors produce maximum torque at all revs, so acceleration is instant. While all Hybrids handle just as smoothly as conventional cars, with the added bonus that they are extremely quiet in electric mode. And the shift between the two powertrains is so seamless that it is practically inaudible.
Better for the environment

There are no exhaust emissions from the tailpipe of an electric vehicle - in fact, it doesn’t even have a tailpipe - this is particularly helpful for improving air quality in urban areas. Hybrid cars, in general, also emit less pollution than standard vehicles. For example, in traffic or at a red light the engine automatically switches off and uses the electric motor to restart or reboot the engine.
Low servicing costs

Electric cars also have far fewer moving parts than a traditional petrol or diesel engine, and therefore require less work when being serviced. Hybrid powertrains reduce engine strain, while regenerative braking decreases brake wear which can prolong the life of parts.
Expert electric vehicle knowledge

As one of the pioneers in EV technology we’ve had time to refine and improve our EV range.

And a Kia 7 year warranty

Every Kia car comes with a class leading 7-year 100,000 mile warranty, including the battery. So you get 7 years of driving pleasure, 7 years of lower running costs and 7 years peace of mind.
Hybrid or Electric?

Our Electric cars use a battery to drive a powerful electric motor, while our Hybrids use a combination of electric motor and conventional engine.
What is a Mild Hybrid car?

Mild Hybrids use a small battery and a clever motor / generator to save fuel and lower emissions. This helps lower your costs without changing how you use your car.

Find out more
What is a Hybrid or Self-Charging Hybrid car?

Switching between petrol and electric automatically to optimise driving performance, improved fuel economy and lower emissions, simply get in and the car generates power as you drive. No plugging in required.

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What is a Plug-In Hybrid car?

A plug-in hybrid gets all the benefits of a self-charging hybrid, but it has a larger battery. This means you can plug it in at home or at a public chargepoint to give you a 30-mile electric range. When that electric range is depleted, the car automatically switches to self-charging hybrid mode.

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What is a battery electric car?

A battery electric vehicle is better for the environment than a petrol or diesel car, cheaper to run, and simple to own. Like the sound of that? Our simple guide can tell you more.

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