Owning an electric car, explained.

How home charging works

Most electric car owners do the majority of their charging at home, usually overnight. The car connects to either a standard outlet using a portable charger, or to a dedicated wall-mounted charger.

A dedicated wall charger is typically faster and designed for daily use. Charging speed depends on your home's electrical supply, the charger, and the vehicle's onboard charger.

What to confirm before installation

• Whether your home's electrical panel has capacity for a dedicated charging circuit.
• Where you will park, and the cable distance to the charging point.
• That installation is carried out by a qualified, licensed electrician.
• Any approvals required by your utility provider or landlord.
• Which connector your vehicle uses, so the charger is compatible.

AC versus DC charging

AC (alternating current) charging is what you'll use at home and at many destination chargers. The car's onboard charger converts AC to DC to fill the battery, so the vehicle limits the maximum speed.

DC (direct current) fast charging supplies power directly to the battery and is much quicker, but requires specialised public equipment. Not every vehicle supports DC charging — always check the confirmed specification.

What affects real-world range

• Air-conditioning use and outside temperature.
• Speed, hills and stop-start traffic.
• Passengers and luggage weight.
• Tyre pressure and driving style.
• Manufacturer range figures depend on the test cycle used (e.g. NEDC, WLTP or CLTC) and are not a guarantee of everyday range.

Questions to ask about maintenance and battery warranty

• How long is the battery warranty, and what mileage or capacity limits apply?
• What does the vehicle warranty cover, and for how long?
• Where is routine servicing carried out?
• Which maintenance items are recommended, and how often?
• How are parts and repairs handled locally?