This depends on lots of different factors – not least the car model you drive. But also the speed you drive at, how often you accelerate, the terrain, climate, geographical factors such as altitude, and the amount of cargo you’re transporting. At the moment though, most electric cars can travel between 160 and 240 km before they need to be charged again. With some models now capable of driving up to 455 km on a single charge. And these figures are set to rise considerably over the next decade, as electric cars are making enormous progress in range performance, thanks above all to advancements in battery technology. When you consider that half of journeys are less than 8 km, that’s a lot of journeys in between charging. (While those motorists who do need to travel longer distances on a regular basis might want to consider a plug-in car with a gas extender (PHEV).)

Your first option, if you have off-street parking, is to charge your electric car at home. It is convenient and surprisingly cost-effective, with many companies offering a fully installed charge point for a fixed price. Charging speeds vary depending on your particular unit set-up. You can also make use of public charging networks when out and about, with more and more street-side stations available. Simply plug in your car’s charging cable, activate the charge point (usually via either a contactless RFID card or mobile app) and leave the car to do the rest. With government incentive schemes, increasing numbers of companies are also offering EV charging points in the workplace to employees and visitors. (In future, charging points are set to become ubiquitous at shopping centres, railway stations, hotels, cinemas, motorway service stations and conventional refuelling stations.)

This depends on how and where you charge. Using a high-voltage DC charger at a public charging station, you can charge your battery from 20% to 80% in 42 minutes. Using an installed battery wall-box at home, you’ll be able to drive off with a fully recharged battery after around 9.5 hours*.

*These figures refer to a 64kW long range battery.

Estimates of the difference in total cost of ownership between electric vehicles and conventional vehicles vary widely, from about EUR 5,000 to EUR 20,000 per vehicle (over four years with an annual mileage of 20,000 km), depending on country, type of electric vehicle model, fuel prices and other variables (McKinsey, 2014). A number of country-specific factors can improve the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles even further – such as tax exemptions, reduced electricity prices and proportionally smaller costs for charging infrastructure (Hacker et al., 2015). Electric cars can also be cheaper to maintain in any case, and thanks to Kia’s unique 7-year warranty, all owners of new Kia Electrified models can enjoy the prospect of having any maintenance and repair work covered for a long time to come.

Prices for new electric cars coming onto the market in 2018 ranged from € XX,XXX to €XX,XXX. While this price bracket is generally higher than conventional combustion engine vehicles, buying with the battery on lease can cut costs significantly. Then there are attractive local or federal tax incentives or rebates to add to the equation, reducing your overall costs. Plus many other financial perks ranging from lower running, maintenance and repair costs, to zero road tax and significantly reduced fuel costs.

Hybrid cars have two powertrains: they use a combination of a combustion engine and a battery-powered electric motor system. This engine and motor can work separately or together – with the aim of powering the car in the most efficient way possible to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions. This is especially effective for stop-and-start city driving. There are different types of hybrid vehicles: a full hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, among others. They differ according to the exact nature of their power source and their degree of hybridisation. A full hybrid doesn’t have a plug for topping up its battery because it charges itself: A Smart Regeneration System recuperates energy whenever you brake or coast, reaching maximum regeneration in downhill situations. The plug-in hybrid variant works just like a full hybrid, except it has a larger battery and gives you the additional option of charging it from an electric outlet. This extends its electric range up to 50 kilometres.

Whether you’re more interested in increased fuel efficiency or a longer range, there are definite advantages to buying both a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, with each type catering to slightly different needs. The main benefits of their advanced hybrid technology involve their eco-friendly credentials and cost-saving potential. In general, hybrids emit less pollution than standard vehicles, which helps to protect the environment. The electric motor adds additional power and supports the combustion engine, thus resulting in lower fuel consumption than cars fueled only by petrol or diesel. The level of fuel efficiency will differ depending on the particular hybrid type you opt for. This in turn will reduce your petrol or diesel running costs. (Again your precise fuel saving will depend on the specific type of hybrid.) Yet more financial advantages of owning a hybrid or plug-in hybrid include possible government tax incentives aimed at encouraging people to buy more environmentally friendly cars, and lower road tax due to the lower emissions. All hybrids also handle just as smoothly as conventional cars, and there is one big added bonus: They are extremely quiet while using the electric motor. And the shift between the two powertrains is so seamless that it is practically inaudible. Depending on your preference, you can choose a full hybrid that you don’t ever need to plug in (the electric motor recharges itself through regeneration), or select a plug-in hybrid with the added option to charge the battery through an external power source, thus extending its electric range. On top of all that: As well as offering superior fuel efficiency and high performance, hybrids are also evolved with all the same levels of comfort, space, technical innovation and safety standards as cars with a conventional combustion engine.

There are essentially two options available to you – charging your EV at home using your own domestic mains electricity supply, or making use of public charging stations. This will affect the types (and speeds) of charging available to you. There are three categories or types of charging: Trickle Charge, AC Charge and DC Charge. Trickle Charge is the slowest method of charging at home, using a standard (three-prong) 220V plug. It doesn’t require installation of additional charging equipment and it can charge approx. 65 km of range in 5 hours (overnight), or 200 km in 14 hours. Using Trickle Charge is only recommended in urgent cases when you have low battery charge and cannot drive to a public station or access an AC wallbox at home. This is because the use of household electricity may cause problems associated with electricity bills and electrical loads, so always use this charge solution with caution and discuss with your electricity provider before first use. Purchasing an ICCB (In Cable Control Box) cable when using Trickle Charge is recommended, for maximum reliability and peace of mind. AC Household Charging is the most common and recommendable home charging option. By having a wallbox installed at your home, you can charge your EV approx. 3-4 faster than using Trickle Charge. AC Public Charging is also available, which is much faster again, although the majority of public charging stations use DC Fast Charging. It is the fastest way to charge your EV, providing power from 50kW and above. Using this method you can top up your battery from 20 to 80% in approx. 40 minutes.

Electric vehicles require considerably less maintenance than fuel-powered cars. That’s mostly due to the fact that their “inner workings” are a lot simpler in many ways. While an electric motor in an EV contains perhaps slightly more than a dozen moving parts, a conventional combustion engine typically has hundreds of moving parts. And the fewer the parts in an EV, the less that can go wrong. This lower maintenance means fewer servicing costs and less hassle. An EV also has fewer fluids that need to be changed or topped up on a regular basis. And thanks to regenerative braking, brake systems on EVs usually last for longer than on conventional vehicles too as they enjoy extended brake wear intervals. Batteries in electric cars, just like in ICE vehicles, don’t last forever, but many electric car manufacturers provide warranties that cover the battery and all other components for a period of many years. With Kia Electric Vehicles, your car and its battery are even covered by a 7-year warranty(1) for full peace of mind throughout this period. You must however arrange an annual scheduled check-up for your EV for minor maintenance to its electrical systems, to make sure your electric car stays in top working condition for longer.

While the density of charging stations varies from market to market, one thing is for sure: Europe’s electric vehicle charging network is growing all the time – with an ever-denser infrastructure of public charging stations popping up at shopping centres, car parks, places of work and motorway service stations across the continent. And with the growing demand for car charging points, and given the impact of innovation and technology, this EV charging infrastructure is set to continue expanding and improving in the future. If you’re interested to find the nearest charging stations in your local area, or if you’re planning a longer trip and want to know where the charging points are on your route, it is quick and easy to find out with our Charging Station Finder Map. And what’s more: All Kia Electrified Vehicles offer Kia Live Services provided by TomTom®(2) with a Parking Space and EV Charging Station Finder Map that conveniently guide you to the nearest charging station, wherever you happen to be in Europe. If you’re interested to find the nearest charging stations in your local area, or if you’re planning a longer trip and want to know where the charging points are on your route, it is quick and easy to find out with our Charging Station Finder Map. And what’s more: All Kia Electrified Vehicles offer Kia Live Services provided by TomTom®(2) with a Parking Space and EV Charging Station Finder Map that conveniently guide you to the nearest charging station, wherever you happen to be in Europe.