The benefits of electric and hybrid driving The future is now – Increasingly, car manufacturers are getting wise to the benefits of electric and hybrid driving. And Volvo has remained at the forefront, developing technologies that benefit both motorists and the environment.

All-electric – Using electricity as the sole source of power, an electric vehicle (EV) produces zero CO2 emissions, delivers low running costs, and offers several tax benefits.

Plug-in hybrid/mild hybrid – Hybrid technology provides the best of both worlds, tapping into the sheer power offered by a petrol/diesel drivetrain. And, whenever appropriate, the engine switches to all-electric mode to deliver greener, quieter driving.
Economy, Charging and Batteries Volvo electric and hybrid vehicles feature a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which sends power to an electric motor. EV cars use this as the single means of propulsion, while hybrid vehicles use it in tandem with a combustion engine. All-electric Volvo cars produce zero emissions, delivering near-silent, cost-effective motoring. By its very nature, a PHEV/hybrid Volvo is significantly more fuel-efficient than its purely petrol/diesel-driven equivalent – and emissions are much lower too. And you can expect a range of up between 263 miles and 274 miles. Batteries are supplied with an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty, and can be charged using a three-pin power supply, via a rapid-charge wall box, or by accessing one of more than 42,000 public charging stations.

Why choose Volvo electric or hybrid?

Volvo has a proven reputation for producing practical, safe, stylish and luxurious vehicles and this is no less true of its electric and hybrid range. A thorough commitment to
developing leading-edge technology and efficient electric and hybrid drivetrains ensures that Volvo exemplifies high-quality motoring at its very best.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAQS FROM SNOWS IN SOUTH & SOUTH WEST ENGLAND

Snows’ manufacturer partners offer a wide selection of electric vehicle (EV) models to suit a range of budgets, lifestyle and driving requirements. Our product geniuses can provide exceptional insight and knowledge on EV driving and the models currently available to purchase. Our teams welcome your questions, even if at this stage, you simply want to know more about how EV motoring compares to conventional vehicle ownership. Our factory-trained technicians receive the highest level of EV service, maintenance and repair training so you can be confident your EV will be maintained to the highest standards as demanded by the manufacturer.

What’s the driving range of EVs?

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Range varies from one EV to another and technology is constantly improving including the number of miles a vehicle can achieve on a full charge. For example, the BMW i3 has a range of 177-190 miles on a full charge ( https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/all-models/bmw-i/i3/2021/bmw-i3-highlights.html ), the Peugeot e208 achieves 206-217 miles on a full charge ( https://www.peugeot.co.uk/electric-and-hybrid/drive-electric/electric-driving-range.html ) and Volvo’s pure electric SUV the XC40 Recharge is capable of up to 259 miles fully charged ( https://www.volvocars.com/uk/v/cars/electric-cars ). Figures are WLTP obtained under test conditions, as with an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle, a number of factors will affect your driving range including load, weather, driving style and your use of heat or air conditioning.

How do I recharge on a long journey?

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The UK’s EV infrastructure is growing and public chargers are found at numerous locations including fuel stations, retail outlets, leisure centres, restaurants, supermarkets and by the roadside. However, planning will be key. You can download any number of apps such as Zap-Map, Plugshare or WattsUp, to make locating the nearest rapid charger straightforward as well as providing details on pricing and if someone is using it. Most journeys will be achievable on a single charge but for longer trips, rapid chargers deliver 60-200 miles of range in around 30 minutes, enough time for you to recharge your own batteries. You could also factor in more A-road use than motorway which will typically require more power, and where you will be closer to more rapid chargers.

How do I arrange for an EV charging point to be installed at my home?

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Whichever EV make and model you choose, working with our manufacturer partners, Snows can help you arrange the installation of an EV charger at your home. Our manufacturer partners have appointed their own official EV installers but you are free to choose your own supplier. However, you may need to pay a fee direct to the supplier you choose, for example, BP Pulse partners with many of the manufacturers we represent ( https://www.bppulse.co.uk/charging-at-home ) and its website includes an installation calculator according to model as well as details on the typical cost of a full charge. 

What happens if I move house?

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If your new home requires an EV installation, you simply contact your supplier or a new supplier to arrange for a home wall charger installation. If your original home wall charger was incorporated as part of your vehicle ownership package, there is likely to be an additional charge.

What if I don’t own my own home?

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If you don’t own your own home, you will need to gain permission from your landlord to install an EV charger but this could add value to the property as EV ownership increases, so we would like to think, most would be accommodating.

Am I eligible for the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS)?

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The government’s Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) provides grants covering up to £350 of the installation cost for eligible vehicles. However, this scheme will no longer be available for homeowners (apart from flats) from April 2022 but will remain open to leaseholders or renters ( https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/customer-guidance-electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme ).

What if I don’t have a driveway?

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It is possible to own an EV if you live in a flat, a terraced house or your home does not have a driveway. However, you will need to plan how you will recharge your vehicle. For example, your employer may have a charger so you can plug-in whilst you’re in the workplace, you could recharge at your local gym whilst you work out or your local supermarket may have devices enabling you to charge whilst you undertake your weekly shop. Running an EV without access to a home charger requires much more forward-thinking but it isn’t impossible. You will need contingency plans such as if the chargers at work or the supermarket are all in use and you will need to factor in the cost as typically, the public charging network is more expensive than your own supply at home.

Meanwhile, entrepreneurs are already providing home charge sharing enabling those without driveways to link up with locals who do. The likes of Co-Charger ( https://co-charger.com/ ), for example, matches hosts and ‘chargees’ enabling would-be EV drivers without the facility to install a wall charger to make use of underused home charging units managing all the communications, bookings and payments. Co-Charger estimates around 40-50% of people live in flats or terraced houses whilst there are 250,000 home chargers in the UK that could potentially be used.

Can all EVs use the same home wall charger?

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In the majority of cases, the answer is yes. Most home chargers are designed to be used by most EVs available on the market today although each EV is likely to need its own cable and plug, supplied by the manufacturer at purchase.

One household, two plus EVs, will we need more than one wall charger?

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For most people, running two or more EVs off one charger is practical especially if you are an average mileage driver (28 miles a day, according to the RAC) ( https://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/mobility#a28 ) enabling one car to be charged overnight one evening swapping over the next night. However, you can install more than one charger but one vehicle may be charged on a different price tariff or you can opt for a dual-socket wall charger although these are not widely available yet.

How much will it cost me to charge my car?

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This varies according to model, your energy supplier and your tariff. Most energy suppliers will offer lower rates to charge at times when the demand on the National Grid is low, through the night, for example. According to the RAC, which used Zap-Map’s app to make its calculations, it costs around £5 to fully charge an EV using a home charger and £7-£10 using a public charger to 80% ( https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/electric-cars/charging/electric-car-charging-how-it-works-and-how-much-it-costs/ ).

With the rising cost of energy, will it still be cheaper for me to run an EV?

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Good question and obviously none of us can predict the future cost of either energy or conventional fuel. However, even compared to today’s rising energy costs, the savings compared to ICE vehicles remain substantial. An EV with a 50kw battery would cost around £9.50 to fully charge at 2020 average prices (around 18p per kilowatt per hour or kWh) but at 24p kWh (the average charge of the big six energy suppliers in September 2021) it would cost £13 for around 200 miles at about half that of the average fuel or diesel vehicle ( https://theconversation.com/how-rising-wholesale-electricity-prices-will-affect-the-switch-to-electric-vehicles-168304 ). However, that’s not quite the full story with energy providers offering much cheaper tariffs at times when demand is at its lowest. And, let’s not forget the rising prices at the fuel pump with the cost per litre hitting a new high in October 2021.  

What is the government grant for EV purchases and how do I get it?

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The UK Plug-in Car Grant or PiCG is applied automatically to your EV purchase and covers up to 35% of the purchase price including VAT and delivery fees for vehicles with a list price under £32,000. The vehicle’s emissions must be less than 50g/km, at least 70 miles without emitting CO2 must be possible and it must be on the approved list from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles which administers the grants.

Do I need to pay road tax for my EV?

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No. Battery Electric Vehicles or BEVs are currently exempt from road tax although your vehicle will still need to be ‘taxed’ each year, it just costs EV owners nothing!

How much will it cost to service my car?

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Again, this varies from one manufacturer to another but the rule of thumb is with fewer moving parts, EVs are more straightforward and less costly to maintain compared to ICE vehicles. You pay a fixed monthly fee according to your make and model of vehicle as well as your expected mileage which covers the cost of your vehicle’s routine servicing requirements. However, most new EV customers opt for a funding package which incorporates routine servicing.

Will I need to replace my battery?

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Probably not but like everything, it depends on several factors including usage. To extend the life of your electric battery, it is recommended to maintain its charge between 50-80%, to not allow it to run flat and to use rapid chargers sparingly. Most manufacturers offer warranties of between eight-10 years (or 100,000 miles) for their vehicle batteries and it is also possible to buy an extended warranty for your battery. Most batteries are expected to last for at least 10 years with some up to 20.

How big is the UK’s EV charging infrastructure?

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This is improving all the time with 2021 showing rapid growth. According to Zap-Map, the number of public charging devices is already in excess of 28,000 and by the first quarter of 2022, it is expected to reach 30,000 ( https://www.zap-map.com/electric-vehicle-charging-2022/ ) and 40,000 by the end of the year.

What happens if my car runs out of charge?

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All EVs, regardless of make or model, provide an ongoing update on range, much like a fuel gauge, so you will always know the number of miles your vehicle can travel allowing you to plan your journey effectively. Most drivers will find an overnight charge is sufficient for several days’ driving. However, should you find yourself in the situation of running out of charge mid-journey, your vehicle will first switch to failsafe mode so you can pull over but you will need to contact your emergency roadside assistance provider to give your car a quick boost to get you to the nearest public charger or you and your vehicle will need to be recovered. 

Can I buy a used EV?

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Yes. The market for used EVs is increasing every year as new EV ownership grows. All used EVs sold by Snows come under the different manufacturer approved used vehicle programmes so you can be just as confident buying used as new. Our sales teams can provide you with the details according to the used EV you are considering.

*The fuel consumption or electric range achieved, and CO2 produced (where applicable), in real world conditions will depend upon a number of factors including, but not limited to: the accessories fitted (pre and post registration); the starting charge of the battery (electric only); variations in weather; driving styles and vehicle load. The e-208 is a battery electric vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. The WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) is used to measure fuel consumption, electric range and CO2 figures. Figures shown are for comparison purposes and should only be compared to the fuel consumption, electric range and CO2 values of other cars tested to the same technical standard.