Charles Hurst Group Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Selection
Charles Hurst Group have a wide range of new and pre-owned EV and Hybrid Vehicles, with representation from Toyota, Lexus, Renault, Nissan, Vauxhall, Peugeot, Kia, Citroen, Maserati, Bentley, Hyundai, Jeep, DS, Jaguar and Land Rover.
Why not spend the day with us on our Boucher Road retail site, to view and test drive a selection of Electric and Hybrid models, to find the perfect vehicle for you.
Here in our Frequently Asked Question section we hope to answer all of your questions you have in relation to Hybrid, Plug-in or Electric Vehicles.
If you cannot find the answer to your question one of our dedicated hybrid specialists will be delighted to assist you.
The simple answer would be - Yes. However to understand the complexity of electric cars requires a little more explanation. The basics of driving an electric car is more or less the same as a standard car, however there are important differences to understand.
An electric car can accelerate a lot more sharply than its petrol/diesel equivalent. This is because an electric car has full torque available from a standstill. The CVT gearing system (Continuously-Variable Transmission), by continually altering the relationship between engine speed and power transmitted to the wheels, a CVT can ensure that no more fuel/electric charge is used than is needed at any point.
Braking in an electric car is also a lot quicker, because EV's have a regenerate braking system, which uses braking energy to recharge the battery.
Just like conventional cars, Electric/Hybrid vehicles range varies per model and depends on driving style. The Kia EV6, for example, will travel up to 328miles/527kms on a fully-charged battery.
Hybrid vehicles, such as the Lexus CT200h, which uses a petrol engine in combination with an electric engine, can achieve up to 68.9mpg, however hybrid vehicles do not require charging as the petrol engine charges the battery.
Yes, most EV's (Electric Vehicles) can be plugged into a typical 240V household plug, however manufacturer's recommend installing a home charging point. Also, it is important to remember that any work will need to be carried out by a suitably-qualified specialist. The cost for installing a rapid-charge point at home is around £1,000.
There is Government support available for installing charging points and both your home and your workplace.
Charging time varies depending on the car model and what source of charging point you are using. Each recharge costs roughly £2.50-£3, however this may cost more at peak times and depending on electricity provider. If you travel an average of 12,000 miles per annum, this equates to £300-£360 per year in electricity costs, which is significantly less than travelling the same miles using a petrol or diesel engine.
Using Government-approved, public charging points can often be free. This Government/Local Authority-backed schemes are likely to continue as an incentive to increase the use of EV's.
EVs qualify for free road tax, but it's worth noting that some low-emissions diesel and petrol cars also attract a zero-rating.
Battery Life - the lifespan of EV batteries are unknown and may need replaced, however Nissan have a 5 year warranty on their battery and components, and state it will last up to 10 years.
