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With exciting new technologies
that enable impressive performance, reduced charging times, extended range and
enhanced safety features, there has never been a better time to invest in an
electric car.
Stratstone offers a vast range of electric vehicles from renowned brands and are proud to have a number of our dealerships receive Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) accreditation. As well as this, our Bright Sparks team of EV experts are here to help and support you in your search for an electric vehicle by providing information and answering any questions you may have. Enquire online or visit us at one of our dealerships.
The original hybrid car also combines a petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor. In this case, the car is powered by a combustion engine, but some power is used to charge a battery which, in turn, can power a hybrid’s electric motor for zero-emissions driving at low speeds. For example, when manoeuvring into parking spaces or in traffic jams.
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEV) are cars that have a petrol or diesel engine that is supported by an electric motor. The electric motor allows the car’s engine to switch off when coasting, braking or stopped and the engine turns back on when needed, thereby further reducing engine emissions. In most cases, the battery is automatically recharged by regenerative braking and so there is no need to connect the battery to a power source to charge.
Fully electric vehicles, also known as Battery Electric Vehicles (BHEV) use an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. Electric cars need to be plugged into a source of electricity in order to gain the charge that allows it to run, which you can do at home or at a public charging station. Electric motors produce little to no sound, meaning electric cars move almost silently. They also produce maximum torque from a standing start, resulting in instant acceleration.
Plug-in hybrid cars, also known as Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), combine a combustion engine with an electric motor. This means you have the option to drive fully electric on shorter journeys and use the petrol/diesel engine for longer journeys, for example. You have to plug the car into a source of electricity in order for it to charge and use the electric drive, but the petrol/diesel engine can also be used if charge is low.
Not convinced Electric is for you? Read the list of benefits we've put together as to why you should make the switch to Electric.
Most electric car owners charge the battery at home via a wall box or at work, but public charging is important for top-ups and longer journeys, as well as for drivers without off-street parking. According to Zap-Maps, there are over 20,000 public charging connectors in the UK – a number that is growing all the time. View all of the UK’s public charging points on the live Zap-Map.
Most electric cars use lithium-ion batteries. These are the current standard and offer a longer range and retain energy better than other battery types. Advances in engineering mean most modern electric vehicles are able to cover between 200 and 300 miles on a single charge – with many exceeding these estimations. This is plenty for day-to-day driving, including most commutes, as the average length of a commuter trip by car/van in the UK is around 10 miles.
Even when charge does begin to run low, the car will warn you in plenty of time to get to a charging station and even guide you to the nearest one. Most electric cars also include energy-saving features to help prolong a battery’s charge, such as regenerative braking, where the battery charges when you brake.
As well as having a number of EVA accredited dealerships, our knowledgeable team of Bright Sparks EV experts are on hand to support you in finding your new electric vehicle. Our Bright Sparks experts are located at multiple Stratstone sites up and down the country to help you with any questions or queries you may have about investing in an electric vehicle.
When it comes to purchasing an electric vehicle with Stratstone, you will not only be offered a test drive for the car you’re interested in, but our team will explain and demonstrate:
We will also provide you with a charging demonstration, showing you how to charge your electric vehicle and giving you the opportunity to try it yourself.