Electric Vehicle Charging in London
Get the most out of your electric vehicle in London with this guide on EV charging. Learn how and where to charge your EV, and find info on how much charging costs.
What is Electric Vehicle Charging?
If you are driving an electric vehicle, you’ll need to plug it in and charge it by accessing the port concealed on either side of the car (a bit like how you would your petrol cap). Some EVs have their charging ports located on the front or at the back of the vehicle. When charging electric vehicles, energy is measured in kWh (kilowatt hours) instead of petrol litres. A kWh represents the amount of electrical power used per hour. The more kWhs, the more energy your battery can store, and the further your car can go. That’s why manufacturers refer to their car’s kWh battery capacity. It’s similar to a manufacturer talking about their petrol car’s fuel tank capacity.
How Does Electric Vehicle Charging Work?
EV charging is actually pretty simple - it’s like any other electronic device. Plug the charger into your car, and it will send power directly from the mains to your car. Slotting the charger into the socket is all there is to it. Sit back and relax for a couple of hours. If your charging point is slow, you might even let it charge overnight - if you want the car to charge fully.
How Long Does it Take to Charge an Electric Vehicle?
An EV eco charge takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on a few key factors. Battery size, mileage, and the strength of your car charger type all affect the EV charging speed. For example, the fastest charging electric cars could take as little as 30 minutes to fully charge. Slower chargers could take up to a full day.
Where Can You Find Electric Vehicle Charging Stations?
With more than 12,000 EV charging stations around the city, Londoners aren’t short of places to charge an EV. You’ll find eco chargers in all sorts of places, like hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations and car parks. Or, if you own an EV, one way to charge electric cars is to do it at home. Vehicles usually come with a charging kit that you can plug directly into a standard UK socket.
Planning on taking a fully electric Zipcar on longer trips? No problem; it's easy to charge along the way. There’s plenty of rapid charging stations on UK roads. Snap a picture of your charging confirmation once you've charged your Zipcar and paid. Send us the information and we'll reimburse you in no time. We don't provide charging cables with our cars, so you won't be able to charge your Zipcar at home.
Types of Electric Vehicle Chargers
Level One EV Chargers
These are standard home chargers that usually come with an EV. A level one charger provides 4-5 miles of driving range per hour of charging. This is pretty slow in comparison to some of the quicker commercial chargers. Using a level one charger can take up to 24 hours for a full EV charge.
Level Two EV Chargers
Level two chargers are an upgrade from level one chargers and are also compatible with home use. A level two charger provides around 25 miles of charge per hour, depending on the vehicle.
Rapid EV Chargers
The best way to charge electric cars is with a rapid (DC) charger. You’ll usually come across these at public EV fast charging stations. DC stands for direct current. Rapid chargers use direct current to charge an EV’s battery swiftly. They can deliver up to 80 miles of charge in just 30 minutes - getting you back on the road in no time.
Advantages of Electric Vehicles Over Petrol and Diesel
Not only are they better for the environment, EVs don’t create nearly as much noise pollution. Better for you and those around you. As a driver, you’ll also enjoy the performance. Nowadays, electric vehicles are more than a match for their petrol and diesel counterparts. Take a look at Vauxhall’s Corsa range, for example. Their Corsa-e can travel up to 222 miles - more than enough to get you to the beach and back! What’s more, EV priority parking bays are beginning to appear across the UK, which should mean no more frustrating car park experiences.
Zipcar’s Electric Car Fleet
Experience the power of electric with Zipcar’s range of EVs. Sign up and get access to 1000+ electric vehicles in London. Whether you’re going on a city break or moving home, Zipcar’s got you covered. Why not share with friends and split the cost? Read on to discover the range of vehicles in our electric fleet.
No matter your EV choice, certain factors will affect the driving range. Bad weather can make a car slower, and you’ll use the same amount of power for less distance. Booting up your entertainment system is an excellent idea for a road trip, but be aware that it’ll use your battery’s power. Air condition, road conditions and driving style can also affect an EV’s battery range.
Hyundai Ioniq
Hyundai’s zero-emission Ioniq comes purpose-built for all kinds of journeys. Its 38.3kWh lithium-ion battery lasts up to 193 miles in range, so you’re unlikely to need to recharge it during your Zipcar hire period. Thanks to its unique battery, Hyundai’s engineers were able to give the Ioniq plenty of boot space. This makes it a great ride for transporting luggage across the Capital. Meanwhile, a built-in touchscreen entertainment system is perfect for those longer journeys - especially if you're travelling with little ones.
Nissan Leaf
One of the latest vehicles in the Zipcar fleet, the Nissan Leaf is a sleek ride designed for effortless, simplistic charging. Drive up to 239 miles in one go with the Leaf’s impressive battery capacity. The Leaf is a dynamic, powerful and environmentally friendly vehicle with the latest intelligent driving technologies.
Vauxhall Corsa-e
A 50kWh battery provides the Vauxhall Corsa-e with up to 222 miles of range. Connect your smartphone to the Corsa-e, and use it to preset the car’s internal temperature. There’s no need to drive in the cold - experience the comfort, ingenuity and power of the Vauxhall Corsa-e with Zipcar.
Volkswagen e-Golf
Go to Brighton and back in only one charge with the Volkswagen e-Golf. With 144 miles of range and a spacious interior, Volkswagen’s e-technology makes for a convenient and comfortable ride share. If you’re driving further afield, not to worry. You can charge 80% of the car’s battery in 45 minutes.
