So, you’re thinking about going electric? Well, this beginner’s guide covers everything you need to know.
Not that long ago, spotting an electric car felt like catching a glimpse of the future. Now? They're everywhere.
Back in 2021, there were around 400,000 EVs quietly whirring around the UK. Fast forward just four years and that number’s shot up to over 1.5 million.
That means nearly 4.5% of the 34 million cars on British roads are now fully electric. This shift is only the beginning, with BEVs accounting for 21% of new cars sold so far this year.
This guide is your no-nonsense, jargon-free entry point into the world of electric vehicles, from picking your first EV to plugging in with confidence... it’s a lot simpler than you think.
Plug. Tap. Go.
Supermarkets, gyms, retail parks, we’re building hubs where you’re already headed.
Put simply, an electric vehicle is any car or van powered in some way by a battery and electric motor, even if it's assisted by a petrol or diesel engine.
If electricity helps move it, it’s classed as an EV.
When people talk about EVs, there are four types to know about:
MHEVs and HEVs both use a petrol or diesel engine paired with an electric motor and battery, but they work slightly differently.
Both are smoother and more efficient than petrol cars, but for real savings and lower emissions, BEVs or PHEVs are the way to go.
A PHEV, sometimes called an Extended Range EV (EREV), is the only hybrid you plug in. Early PHEVs combined a small battery with a petrol engine, offering around 30 miles of electric range.
Today, bigger and cheaper batteries mean some PHEVs can go nearly 100 miles on electricity alone, making the petrol engine more of a backup. You don’t have to plug in if you don’t want to, but if you do, you get the best of both worlds, so you can enjoy cost savings with the familiarity of conventional petrol or diesel for longer trips.
BEVs run purely on electricity. No petrol. No diesel. Just a motor and a battery.
Thanks to major advances in battery tech, many now offer over 300 miles of range and can recharge from 20–80% in under 20 minutes. They’re smooth, quiet, low maintenance, and often cheaper to run, especially when charging at home or on the Be.EV network.
Ah, the big question. BEV or PHEV? Fully electric or a bit of both?
The honest answer? It depends on how you live, drive, and fuel up (or plan to plug-in).
If you’re ready to break up with the petrol station for good, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) is the cleanest, simplest, and most cost-effective way to go.
You can charge at home in your pyjamas, top up while you shop, or power-up on the move, with over 80,000 public charge points across the UK, chances are you’re never more than 10 minutes away from one.
If you're not quite there yet, a PHEV can be a great way to ease into EV life.
Charging your EV in public is simpler than you think. Find a charger, plug in, tap your card, and relax.
That’s it. But here’s a bit more info to help you feel confident.
There are three main types of chargers Fast, Rapid, and Ultra-Rapid, with more kilowatts (kW) giving you a quicker charge.
- Fast Charging (3kW–22kW)
Ideal when you’ve got more time, whether that’s at home, while you’re at work, or if you’re staying overnight at a hotel. Often these are called destination chargers, and that’s probably the best way to think of them, as they can take anywhere from 5-24 hours to charge a car from 20-80%, which is fine if you are done for the day, but if you need to keep moving, Rapid and Ultra-Rapids are a better option.
- Rapid (50–99kW) and Ultra-Rapid (100–350kW+)
Rapid chargers and Ultra-Rapid are becoming more common, and you are guaranteed to find one at motorway services and most on-the-go café and restaurants. Rapid charging is the earlier iteration of faster charging, delivering up to 99kW, whereas Ultra-Rapid chargers are becoming the new standard, delivering 100–350kW or more, letting many EVs add 325 miles of range in 20 minutes.
Your charging speed is always limited by either your EV’s max rate or the charger’s output, whichever is lower.
In the UK, the most common connectors are Type 2 (for AC charging) and CCS (for DC Rapid and Ultra-Rapid charging).
Type 2 is used for fast charging. Most public charge points don’t have cables, so you’ll need to bring your own, though they’re usually included with your EV. Some home chargers can be ‘tethered’ with a built-in cable.
CCS is the standard for Rapid and Ultra-Rapid charging. These chargers have built-in cables, and your car’s CCS port is usually just below the Type 2 port. Some EVs still use CHAdeMO, an older standard, but most public charge points support both.
Before deciding how you’ll charge, there are a few things worth knowing.
To charge at home, you’ll need a driveway. Cables across pavements are a trip hazard, so charging from the street isn’t widely supported yet.
You can use a 3-pin plug, but it’s limited to 3kW and can take days to fully charge. It may also overheat or trip your home electrics.
A dedicated home charge point is the better option. It’s safer, faster, and more reliable. Installations start around £900, but costs can rise depending on your setup. New-build homes must include EV chargers by law, and the convenience is often worth the investment.
There are over 80,000 public charge points in the UK, more than petrol stations. You can find one near you using our location map or apps like Zap-Map.
Rapid and Ultra-Rapid chargers are available at retail parks, service stations, and restaurants. Fast chargers can be found at supermarkets, car parks, and even lamp posts, so even without a driveway, EV ownership is still totally possible.
Some energy providers, like Octopus Energy, offer EV-specific tariffs with cheaper overnight rates. Charging overnight can cut running costs, and you can run other appliances more cheaply too.
Most EVs let you set timers, so you can plug in after work and let your car handle the timing.
EV batteries are more durable than you might think. A Volkswagen ID.3 with nearly 100,000 miles still retained 91% of its original range.
To protect your battery, try to keep your charge between 20% and 80% for everyday use. Charging to 100% occasionally is fine, just save it for longer trips.
Charging costs vary depending on whether you're at home or using a public charger, but there are plenty of ways to save.
With Octopus Energy’s Go tariff (8p/kWh), that drops to around £4, or just 2p per mile.
Fast chargers: ~51p/kWh
Rapid & Ultra-Rapid chargers: ~80p/kWh
Some networks, including Be.EV, offer off-peak pricing that can significantly reduce costs. Be.EV members also get discounted rates via the app or RFID card.
There you have it, a complete beginner’s guide to EVs, covering everything from charging basics to costs and benefits.
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