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.

Electric Vehicle Driving Experience

Driving experience
So smooth. So quiet. So much fun to drive. Electric means instant torque, zero emissions and low running costs, too.
What are electric vehicles like to drive?

The best way to find out is to drive one! But we can give you an idea.

Most first-timers find the experience a pleasant surprise. They often mention the simple, familiar controls, powerful acceleration, better traction, and a quieter ride.

Most of the controls are familiar, which makes things easy. There’s no clutch pedal or gearstick because all electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid (PHEVs) are automatic. So just press the start button, select ‘D’ for drive, release the parking brake and you’re off.

As a new EV driver, you may notice how fast it can accelerate. An electric motor delivers all of its power as soon as you press the accelerator pedal, so it feels faster than many sports cars up to 30mph.
Driving modes to suit you
Sport/Power mode

Have more fun. Switch to the Sport mode. It delivers livelier driving dynamics and makes our all-electric models more responsive. With the regenerative braking system storing kinetic energy in the battery to help improve range.

Feel the power with up to 300bhp at the touch of a pedal with Grandland Hybrid and increase responsiveness with Sport mode.

The Power mode on Vivaro Electric is here to help when your vehicle is fully loaded.
Eco mode

The Eco mode turns your all-electric vehicle into a long-distance runner. The vehicle’s systems are switched for maximum energy efficiency. And the regenerative braking system stores kinetic energy in the battery to help you travel further.
Normal mode

Select Normal drive mode and for eaxmple, the Corsa Electric will take you up to 222 miles without re-charging. More than enough for day-to-day journeys in a car that’s fun to drive in the city, to festivals or wherever the road takes you. And with our regenerative braking system storing extra energy in the battery as you go, your range is boosted even more.

In Grandland Hybrid you can drive up to 35 miles† in pure electric mode. Or, select hybrid mode and the car will auto-select the most efficient driving more.
What factors influence range?
Driving style

The two factors that affect your range the most are your speed and your acceleration. To become an electric pro, follow this advice and get some serious range.
- Avoid harsh braking
- Turn off Sport Mode when you don’t need it
- Drive at a moderate speed and avoid unnecessary acceleration
- When motorway driving, follow a vehicle that drives consistently, like a lorry, at a safe distance
- When planning your route, try to avoid large, steep hills
What you carry

The more weight you add to your journey, the more charge you’ll use.
- Remove accessories you don’t use
- Make sure there’s no unneeded stuff on the back seats or in the boot
- If you’re not using your roof rack, take it off. It’s a real drag
Your tyre pressure

Making sure your tyres are at the right pressure will really help you go far. Flatter tyres burn up energy and decrease the distance you can cover with a full charge.

Check your tyre pressure at least once a month and before long journeys. You’ll find the recommended pressure in your vehicle’s handbook.

If they’re low, head to your nearest service station and top-up to the recommended levels.
Speed

Speed is the most impactful factor on range. Please use below tool to see how speed can impact your range.
Thermal comfort & heating

Dread getting into a car that’s either freezing or like an oven? Pre-condition the car to your perfect temperature and enjoy your own personalised climate when you drive off. It’s a smart way to preserve your range and use less energy.
Range Calculator

Find out how different factors impact your range.

Corsa-e Range Calculator
Manage & maintain your electric vehicle
Manage remotely

To allow you to fully utilise the range, we recommend "Pre-Conditioning" your Vehicle. In simple terms, heating or cooling your vehicle before your journey. This can be managed via the MyVauxhall app.
Lower maintenance package

There are 30% less maintenance costs as electric vehicles have less moving parts and less wear on brakes. All our electric vehicles come with 8 years roadside assistance and battery warranty.
Vauxhall Connect

Vauxhall Connect is a smart technology system that helps keep you safe and connected on every journey. Services include Emergency Call, Breakdown Call and Vehicle Status which alerts you if your car needs repairs or servicing.
24 Hour Test Drive Terms & Conditions
Available on Corsa-e, Mokka-e and Vivaro-e Life only. Subject to availability at participating Retailers only. Ts&Cs and exclusions apply. Must have valid driving licence. Charges may apply for vehicle damage or any fixed penalty fines (parking or speeding fines, Congestion Charges) incurred during the test drive are the responsibility of the Driver. Vauxhall Motors Limited reserves the right to change, amend or withdraw this offer at any point in time.

*Range data given is preliminary and has been determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). EG type approval and Certificate of Conformity are not yet available. The preliminary values might differ from official final type approval data. Everyday use may differ and is dependent on various factors. In particular: personal driving style, route characteristics, exterior temperature, heating/air conditioning, pre-condition.

^Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Vauxhall Corsa-e 100KW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 209 miles (WLTP). The Corsa-e is a battery electric vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. Range data given is preliminary and has been determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). EG type approval and Certificate of Conformity are not yet available. The preliminary values might differ from official final type approval data. Everyday use may differ and is dependent on various factors. In particular: personal driving style, route characteristics, exterior temperature, heating/air conditioning, pre-conditioning and battery condition.

†Fuel consumption and CO2-emission data given are obtained using a combination of battery power and fuel. Fuel consumption figures are determined according to the WLTP test cycle. CO2 emissions figures are determined according to the WLTP test cycle however, a Government formula is then applied to translate these figures back to what they would have been under the outgoing NEDC test cycle, which WLTP replaces. The correct tax treatment is then applied. Figures are intended for comparability purposes only. The fuel consumption you achieve under real life driving conditions and CO2 produced will depend upon a number of factors, including the accessories fitted after registration, variations in driving styles, weather conditions and vehicle load. Only compare fuel consumption and CO2 with other vehicles tested using the same technical procedures. For more information contact your local Vauxhall Retailer.

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