Charging Your Electric Car
Electric cars are becoming increasingly more popular with lots of brands such as BYD breaking into the UK market, releasing fully electric cars such as the BYD Dolphin and Atto 3 which are affordable and attainable for the everyday driver. This has made more established brands such as Audi and Volkswagen up their electric car game with recent additions to their line ups including the long-range Audi Q6 e-tron SUV and the first electric estate to join Volkswagen, the ID.7 Tourer.
Due to the excitement surrounding this cleaner way of driving, charging an electric car is at the forefront of lots of people’s minds. Whilst for many people there is an easy solution in the shape of home charging points. Many brands currently offer incentives with the installation of home chargers, Audi for example have partnered with Ohme, resulting in an effortless way to charge your brand-new electric Audi at home.
This does become slightly more difficult for electric vehicle owners who don’t have access to a driveway or private off-road parking. Whilst this might be an initial deterrent from purchasing an EV, this blog provides lots of alternative ways to charge an electric car away from home.
Charge your EV at work.
Whilst your car is parked at home for a substantial portion of time, the second most visited place for many people is the office. Whilst this isn’t the case for everyone, lots of workplaces are currently installing electric car chargers into their car parks. The government have even created a scheme known as the ‘Workplace Charging Scheme,’ the aim of this is to encourage businesses to install charging points for employees to use during office hours.
Charging your electric car at work is one of the most convenient ways to charge an EV and would make electric vehicle ownership stress-free.
If there currently aren’t any charging points at your workplace, it might be worth speaking to your line manager or a member of the HR team as the government scheme might not yet be on their radar. Having onsite chargers is becoming increasingly more popular and expected within many industries and places of work.
Use street chargers to your advantage.
If you are lucky to live in central London, there are currently a vast amount of electric car chargers available within lamp posts alongside residential streets. This system takes advantage of the current electricity supply being used to light the streets and converts it into another way to support electric vehicle infrastructure. This initiative has started in the capital, but it won’t be long until there are electric car chargers inside lamp posts all across the UK.
Another way to charge your electric car if you only have access to street parking is by trailing a charging cable from your home and across the pavement to your car. Whilst this maybe a solution for those who live in terrace or town houses, you would need to double check your local councils’ rules to ensure this is safe and allowed.
If you do get the go ahead, simply use the three-pin plug charger and charge your EV from your home power supply. Additionally, there are many affordable cable covers that can be purchased to avoid creating tripping hazards for pedestrians or cyclists.
Charge your Electric Car at the shops.
Many Supermarkets, department stores and larger retail parks have parking spaces reserved for Electric Vehicles with charging points included. This is a fantastic way to keep your EV topped up with electricity whist you are going about your daily tasks or enjoying some retail therapy.
This might not be the perfect solution for keeping your EV fully charged at all times, but it can ensure you’ll never get caught short and run out of charge.
In addition to shops, there are lots of other public places that have accessible chargers. For example, lots of gyms are currently installing charging points as a benefit for their members. This allows you to charge your car whilst working out and is worth checking out if you are a regular gym-goer.
Share a charger with a friend or family member
If you have a family member of friend who lives close by and has a driveway or private parking, it might be worth asking if they could get an electric charger installed for you to use every few days. This could be a very affordable way to charge your car, as long as you have a nearby neighbour who wouldn’t mind the temporary driveway takeover.
In addition to the benefits for you as an EV driver, the homeowner may also benefit. By installing a wall charger, this could add value to their property and provide a unique selling point should they wish to move house in the future.
Use the public charging network.
With the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars looming in 2035, we've seen the public charging network grow exponentially. No matter where you live across the UK, you are likely to find a public charging station near you.
They offer quick, efficient charging, with different speeds available to meet your needs. Public chargers often provide rapid charging which is the fastest way to charge your electric vehicle, making this the most time effective way of keeping your EV charged up.
The public charging network is growing rapidly which gives you the flexibility to shop around and choose the most affordable and suitable solution for you.
Whilst having a driveway or private parking does allow you to charge your electric vehicle from home, the lack of this amenity shouldn’t put you off making an EV purchase. There are many ways to charge your electric car in a way that is convenient and affordable for you. Charging has come a long way since electric vehicles were first introduced, meaning there has never been a better time to make the switch and go electric.