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UK car rental specialists Nationwide Vehicle Contracts break down the most frequently asked questions about electric vehicles, with more than 21,000 people Googling their concerns that they might blow themselves up (or their car!).
While many new Electric Vehicle owners are looking for standard delivery times, mileage and payment options, it’s safe to say many have other questions.
One question in particular got some people to question themselves and turn to Google for answers.
More than 21,000 Britons were concerned at being able to drive their electric car through a car wash, although the good news is it’s perfectly safe, research has found!
Like regular petrol or diesel cars, electric cars must pass a “soak test” that exposes the vehicle to near-flood water levels and checks for leaks. This is to ensure the car’s safety.
Research by UK car rental specialists Nationwide Vehicle Contracts surveyed and answered the most common Electric Vehicle questions new car owners ask, from questions about charging the vehicle to how waterproof the vehicle is!
Are electric vehicles safe? 10,720 searches
Yes, all-electric vehicles are built to the same rigorous design and build standards as all conventional petrol and diesel vehicles. They go through the same rigorous process to make sure the car is as safe as possible. Manufacturers then included all of their vehicles (including their electric offerings) in the Euro NCAP assessment, and nearly all electric vehicles performed as well as similarly sized and equipped internal combustion engine models.
Sturdy construction, a large crumple zone and multiple airbags ensure that occupants are protected as much as possible in the event of an accident. Because EVs have large, heavy battery packs and must absorb the increased energy they generate in a crash, Electric Vehicle designers may have to work harder to achieve superior crashworthiness.
Can I charge my mobile phone? 9,510 searches
Yes, you can charge your phone in an Electric Vehicle by plugging it into the car’s USB port. However, if you’re concerned about draining your vehicle’s battery by doing so, most EVs have an Eco Mode driver setting that increases the efficiency of the Electric Vehicle. It does this by limiting the amount of power you can use for power system mode and restricting certain functions, which means your phone may not charge as fast.
Even so, charging your phone won’t drain your car battery anytime soon.
Are all electric cars automatic? 4,900 searches
Almost all electric vehicles are automatic because the electric motor does not require a gearbox. That means no clutch and no chance of stalling, unlike normal manual transmission cars.
Will air con ruin my battery life? 4,420 searches
Running the air conditioner at full throttle reduces the range of an Electric Vehicle by 17%, meaning a driver planning a 100-mile trip will only get 83 miles. However, most EVs have a feature called preconditioning that allows you to pre-cool the interior of the car before a long drive.
This feature works best when your car is left on overnight, since the energy comes from the grid rather than the EV’s battery, so your battery life won’t suffer. This means you don’t have to crank your air conditioner to full blast on a hot summer day, which drains your energy faster.
Are electric car charging points free to use? 4,040 searches
There are thousands of free Electric Vehicle charging points across the UK, usually located in shopping centres, supermarkets, public car parks, hotels and sometimes petrol stations. However, it is important to note that there may be restrictions such as a certain amount of time or need to visit the store. So better check it out.
The easiest way to find the nearest free Electric Vehicle charging station is to download an Electric Vehicle charging station map, such as Zap-Map, to see which Electric Vehicle charging stations are near you.
Can you drive through standing water? 2,130 searches
Just like with a conventional gasoline or diesel vehicle, you should always look for an alternate route when driving through flood waters.
The Environment Agency warns that just 300mm of running water is enough to keep your vehicle afloat. In an electric car, this means that if the car is submerged in water and water enters the electrical system, the circuit breaker could trip. This cuts off the car’s current flow from the battery to the motor and you could be in trouble.
Can an electric car cause electric shock? 1,560 searches
Most electric vehicles operate on between 12 and 48 volts, which can be dangerous but unlikely to cause electrocution. Of course, any electronic device is potentially dangerous, but if you touch it in dry weather (like a regular car), you could get a static shock.
As for the electrical energy stored in the battery, the high-voltage cables have thick insulation and are well protected in the event of an accident. Therefore, as long as the safety rules are followed, there should be no risk of electric shock.
What if I don’t have a driveway? 820 searches
If you’re considering charging your electric car at home but don’t have a driveway, you can contact your local housing authority to find out if there are any plans to install charging points on the street.
The on-street residential charging scheme is a government grant to install public charging stations that can be used by local authorities. The way they work is by installing charging points on lampposts, fixed poles along the side of the road, and even collapsible charging points on pavements.
How safe are electric car batteries? 230 searches
A common concern is that electric vehicle batteries use lithium-ion cells, which are flammable under the wrong conditions. Risk of burns if the energy cell is damaged and short-circuited. This is called thermal runaway. While that sounds dire, this scenario is highly unlikely as the latest generation of electric vehicles is designed to avoid it. Polestar, for example, even created two malleable aluminum structures on either side of the front bulkhead of its Polestar 2 models.
“As we can see from these questions, many of the concerns are around the electric battery and also the ability to recharge their vehicle, and what we are seeing is reassurance around the safety of EVs, but also the increase in ability to charge your vehicle through public charging points. The on-street residential charging scheme will add charging points to many households who do not have driveways where traditional charging points are fitted.
“There is undoubtedly a future for electric vehicles, and they are constantly growing in popularity as the vehicle batteries last longer and the cars become more affordable.”
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