Hybrid & Electric FAQs

Most electric car manufacturers cover their batteries with an eight-year warranty, but current predictions suggest they could last between 10-20 years, or up to 200,000 miles.​

Electric cars are not only better for the environment, they’re also cheap to run, and modern options often provide a range of 200-300 miles. They do, however, need to be plugged in to charge the battery, which means you will either need off-street parking at your home or a convenient place to charge the battery regularly. ​​

Your car will be able to warn you when the battery is getting low so you can find the nearest charge point. If you do run out of charge, you should pull over and put your hazard lights on. The AA and RAC both offer breakdown cover for out-of-charge incidents and can be contacted for help. ​

Electric vehicles run purely on electric power and have no combustion engine. Hybrid (HEV) and mild hybrid (MHEV) vehicles use a combustion engine that is supported by a small electric motor, and there is little or no capacity to run on electric power alone. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles offer a middle ground, in that there is both a combustion engine and large battery and electric motor. This enables them to run on pure electric power while also having the ability to travel using both electric and fuel power, or fuel power only. ​​

While electric cars are typically more expensive to buy than petrol or diesel options, they are cheaper to run and maintain, making them less expensive in the long term.​

This depends on the make and model you drive and the charging station you are using. At a rapid charging station delivering 150kW, it may only take around 30 minutes to charge the battery from 10-80%. Other charging points can take several hours to charge the battery. ​

Most electric and plug-in hybrid cars can be plugged into a regular three-pin socket. This is the least efficient charging method, however, and can take up to 18 hours. ​

​As with petrol and diesel vehicles, smaller electric and hybrid vehicles tend to be cheaper to run. According to an article in AutoExpress in 2022, the Honda Jazz and Honda HR-V are among the cheapest electric vehicles to run. Both of these are available from Riverside Motor Group. ​

The type of electric vehicle that’s best for you depends entirely on your specific needs and circumstances. The team at Riverside Motor Group can help you choose the model that suits you best. ​

​Even with the recent increases in energy prices, electric vehicles are cheaper to run over the course of ownership. Not only is fuel cheaper, maintenance is often less expensive too. ​

​To discuss our electric car offers and find out which of our models best suits your budget, get in touch with the team at Riverside Motor Group today. ​

​It typically costs between £800-1,500 to purchase and install an electric charger at your home. However, there are some grants available that may enable you to bring the cost down. ​

​The cost of charging at home depends on the type of electric vehicle you own, and your electricity tariff. According to Pod Point, a full charge of an electric car typically costs between £11-£30. ​

​It’s advisable to install an EV charger at your home to make charging easier and quicker. However, a qualified installer must do the work to ensure it’s fitted properly and complies with regulations. ​

The battery on hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles is charged by the engine as the car is driving, but electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles must be connected to a power source in order for the battery to charge.