Your Electric Car Questions Answered

After listening to our community, we’ve answered some of your most common electric car questions to clear up any misunderstandings and support you through the electric car-buying journey.

If you’re ready to take the plunge and buy your first used electric car, it’s totally normal to have a long list of questions all about the technology, charging, and everything else involved. We’ve answered some of your most common electric car questions to clear up any misunderstandings and support you through the electric car-buying journey.

Can electric car batteries be recycled?

Yes, electric car batteries can be recycled. Recycling is an important step in the life cycle of EV batteries as it can help to reduce waste and conserve valuable resources. The process usually involves disassembling the battery, separating the different components, and then recovering the valuable metals and other materials contained within. These materials can then be reused to make new batteries or other products.

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

Charging an electric car can be as quick as 30-60 minutes, or as steady as 8-12 hours, the main factor being the type of charging plug you use. The three most common types of charging plugs across the UK are: 

• Slow Charge: Mainly used overnight at home, or in the workplace, these chargers are usually rated up to 3kW and can take 8-10 hours to fully charge.
• Fast Charge: Often located in public car parks and supermarkets, fast chargers are rated at either 7kW or 22kW, and take 3-4 hours to fully charge. 
• Rapid Charge: These are the charging points you commonly see at service stations, petrol stations, and large supermarkets. Rapid chargers are typically rated from 43kW and can take just 30 minutes to charge to 80%.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

The cost of charging an electric vehicle is the one of the biggest factors for potential first-time buyers, so it’s important to understand the four basic options in front of you: 

• At home: Costs around £15.10 for a full charge (based on a typical electric car with a 200-mile range).
• At work: More and more employers across the UK are installing free of charge workplace. charging points, which are worth looking out for on your next job hunt! 
• Public locations: Charging points at supermarkets and public car parks are often free to use for the duration of your stay .
• Rapid charging: Often found at service stations and petrol stations; rapid chargers cost around £11 for a 30-minute charge.

Can electric cars be manual?

No, electric cars do not offer traditional manual transmissions like those found in petrol and diesel cars. Instead, electric cars typically have a single-speed gearbox that requires no gear changes. This is because electric motors produce much more torque than internal combustion engines, and a single-speed transmission allows them to operate much more effectively.

However what can confuse motorists is that some electric cars offer a ‘manual mode’ which allows drivers to control the regenerative braking force of the car, which to some offers a more engaging driving experience. It’s important not to confuse this ‘manual mode’ with a manual transmission!  

Can electric cars tow a caravan?

Yes, many electric cars are capable of towing a caravan, which is especially the case for the growing range of electric SUVs available to buy. However, it is important to remember that the maximum towing capacity will depend on the specific electric car manufacturer and model.

At Tangelo we’d recommend checking the specifications of the electric car in question to ensure it’s safe and capable of towing a caravan. It’s also important to bear in mind that towing a caravan will drastically reduce the range of an electric car due to the additional weight, and the impact of wind resistance, so make sure to plan ahead!

How can I find my closest EV Charging Point?

According to Zap Map there are currently over 65,000 EV charging points across the UK as of July 2024, meaning electric car owners are never too far from their closest charging location. When it comes to finding the closest charging point, the go-to tool is Zap Map’s Live Map which allows drivers to find their nearest charging point, and filter results by: 

• Power type 
• Connector type
• Network
• Location type
• Payment type

Can I buy a used electric car on finance?

Yes, you can finance a used electric car, and that’s where Tangelo steps in! To help spread the cost of an electric car, we offer the following finance options:

• Finance: Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)
• Finance: Hire Purchase (HP)
• Pay in full
• Part exchange

If you have any other questions about our range of used electric cars, which electric car is best for you or anything, then please just get in touch with the Tangelo Team who will be happy to help! Just call us on 01395 239745, or email [email protected].