Electric & Hybrid

An electric vehicle (EV) is one that is propelled entirely or in part by several electric motors. There are three types of vehicles that fit into this broad definition:​

• Battery EVs (BEVs) are vehicles powered solely by electricity. The energy used to drive the motors of a fully-electric vehicle is stored in the on-board battery pack, which is charged from a home charger or public charge point.​
• Extended-Range EVs (E-REVs) are also driven by electric energy stored in an on-board battery pack. The battery pack can be charged from the grid like a BEV, but an E-REV can also charge itself using a small on-board internal combustion engine (ICE) that acts like a generator.​
• Plug-in Hybrid EVs (PHEVs) have a more traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) coupled with electric motors and a battery pack. The vehicle can be propelled entirely by the battery, entirely by the ICE or by any combination of the two depending on the circumstances.​

The range of an electric vehicle differs according to its efficiency, battery size and the driving style of the driver. Information on the range of specific electric vehicles can be found at the manufacturer's website.​

There are four main charging options:​

• Home Charging - 6-8 hours (from empty to fully charged)​
• Standard Charging (AC) - 1-6 hours depending on car model and range​
• Fast/Rapid Charging (DC) - 30 minutes to achieve up to an 80% charge​
• High Power Charging- 100km range in as little as six minutes​

Different EVs will charge at a different rates using the same charger. Some models of EVs are not capable of availing of the full throughput available from a charge point but will still charge as a rate suitable for the vehicle.​

The same EV may also charge at different rates at the same charging point under certain circumstances. A vehicle’s Battery Management System (BMS) continuously monitors your battery pack while charging and adjusts its rate of charge. Changes to the rate of charge are to balance charging speed with preserving the battery’s usable life.​

The rate may vary by temperature or battery status - a cold battery will charge less quickly and a battery charges at a slower rate as it approaches its fully-charged state. Adjustments like these are like the smart charging seen in most smartphones.​

The rating marked on charge points is the maximum continuous rate of charge available to an EV from the charger.​

The vehicles Battery Management System (BMS) continuously controls the rate during a charging session and dictates the rate of charge. The rate depends on several factors outside of the control of the charger.​

The most common factors effecting the charging rate are:​

• Make and Model of EV: Some models of EVs are not capable of availing of the full kW available from a charge point but can still obtain a charge suitable to its own maximum charging rate.​
• State of Charge (SOC) of Battery: The rate of charging allowed by the EVs BMS reduces as the battery comes closer to fully charged in order to reduce stress on the battery pack. This reduction for most EV models starts around 50% and charge rate reduces dramatically after 80%. Fast charging is most effective up to 80% SOC.​
• Temperature of Battery: If the battery is too cold or too hot the EVs BMS will adjust the rate of charge to protect the cells of the battery. Some EVs will activate internal heaters or fans to maintain a temperature between 20 and 25C. The main factors effecting battery temperature is the amount of driving and charging done up to the charging session​

The lithium-ion (Li-Ion) and lithium manganese oxide (LMO) batteries commonly seen in EVs lose around 2-4% of their capacity annually and are usually slated to be replaced once they have 80% of their original capacity. The usable life of a battery is between six and ten years.​

Once a battery comes to the end of its lifespan, it can be recycled. Some manufacturers offer a battery guarantee on their vehicles of five or eight years or 100,000 miles whichever comes first. Please consult your manufacturer for more information.​