frequently asked questions
Welcome to the FAQ page
Here you will find answers to the most common questions we get asked by our customers.
Can’t find the answer to your question? Drop us a message
In 2024, the sticker price of a new electric car will be higher than that of a comparable petrol or diesel engined car. However, by using salary sacrifice, or a company car scheme, it will be possible to obtain tax savings when choosing an electric car. Leasing, too, can narrow the difference in monthly costs for your transport.
Running costs are substantially cheaper for an electric car. Home charging tariffs can fill an EV for less than £5. EV servicing costs are also lower than traditional cars, as there are less components to maintain or replace.
There’s no such thing as a “self charging” car. The title was developed by the marketing department of one car manufacturer, simply to deflect consumers from the fact that it produced no fully electric models. The battery in a hybrid car that doesn’t plug in, will only be replenished by either regenerative braking when slowing down – or by having the engine running.
Yes, we regularly fit EV chargers that are compatible with the Octopus Intelligent tariff, allowing you to refuel your car very cheaply indeed. Contact us to talk through you options – drop us your details here and we’ll be in touch
AC chargers are smaller, less expensive and deliver a slower charge rate – so they’re better for home. DC chargers are generally larger and more costly, but they can deliver a rapid charge to an EV battery – more suited to fast charging at, say, the motorway services.
Our electricity grid runs on AC, or alternating current. Batteries deliver DC, or direct current. An inverter converts one to the other. Smaller, less expensive EV chargers deliver AC, and require the vehicle’s on board inverter to convert it to DC to feed the battery. DC chargers have an inverter built into them, allowing them to refuel an EV much more quickly.
Almost all new EVs use a Type 2 connection for AC charging, and this is the standard for EV charger sockets. An EV will normally be supplied with a Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable. For rapid charging, most vehicles have a second, additional port below their type 2 socket, to allow a CCS connection – a figure of eight shaped plug and socket. Rapid chargers always have their own cable and plug directly connected to the charger.
As a small, locally focused business, we can be more responsive than larger, national companies. We will fit your charger within three weeks, and most are fitted within two weeks – our record is 4 working days from inquiry to working, installed charger. In a hurry? Get in touch right now, send us your details here
It’s really easy – simply follow this link and put your details in our inquiry form – we’ll get straight back to you and outline any details we need about your home, and your requirements. Unlike some of the big national companies, we offer a personal service – so we’ll call you to answer any questions you may have. Just to be clear, we don’t do estimates – we only provide a fully costed quote to install the charger that is best for you, at your home.
For almost all UK homes, an EV charger can have a maximum output of approx 7kw. So if you had a car with an empty battery of 50kw, it would take just over 7 hours to fill from empty. The only exception is if you have a home with a 3 phase electrical supply, in which case a 22kw charger could be fitted.
If you’re taking a long road trip, you can top up your vehicle at a rapid charger. Rapid chargers can be found most easily using an app such as Zap Map, or by interrogating your vehicle’s satnav. Most modern EVs will charge up to 80% in half an hour or less – not much different than you’d typically expect to stop at a motorway services for a comfort break. EVs and rapid EV chargers are improving all the time, so new models will charge faster.
Many commercial buildings have 3 phase electricity, enabling the installation of chargers up to 22kw charging speed. However, few vehicles can accept such a charging speed currently, with many having a maximum 11kw AC charging speed.
Simply start by filling in our inquiry form here – and we’ll get straight back to you, to discuss your requirements. Once we are clear on what you want to achieve – speed of charging, type of vehicles, who’s going to pay for the electricity – we can advise on the best chargers and software to manage them efficiently
Most EV chargers are not located under large, neon lit signs that petrol or diesel buyers drive to. Instead, an EV driver is better off using a smartphone app to find chargers, such as Zap Map. The apps list chargers, display their pricing, real time availability and will guide drivers to them.
The cheapest way to refill the battery on an electric car is to plug in using a home or workplace charger. At home, the cheapest way to fill up in the UK is to use a cheap overnight charging tariff, which are offered by several utility companies. This way, it is possible to refuel a typical 50kw electric car (suc as Renault Zoe, Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 2008 with a range of up to 200 miles), overnight for approximately £4.
If you have 3 phase electricity (common in most commercial buildings) then you could have a 22kw charger fitted. Currently most EVs cannot accept AC charging at 22kw (most will accept only 11kw) but this will likely change in future. Be aware, however, that the higher electricity draw of a 22kw AC charger may require additional load management equipment to be fitted alongside your charger during the installation
At The Full EV we normally expect to install your home charger within around two weeks from confirmation of your order. Once on site, a domestic installation will usually be completed within half a day
Yes, we can and do regularly install workplace chargers. We can provide consultancy and advice to help ensure you can charge company and staff vehicles – get in touch today to discuss your needs
Yes you can – we regularly install solar compatible car chargers, that harness your solar PV production to fill up your car, for free. Ask us for more details by messaging here
Manufacturers of electric vehicle chargers offer a minimum two years guarantee on chargers, so long as they are installed by a professional, qualified electrician. Some companies offer a three year guarantee. One manufacturer supplying the UK market in 2024 introduced an electric vehicle charger with a five year guarantee
Albert is an environmental initiative to encourage organisations in the film and TV sector to think and act more sustainably. At The Full EV, we work with film and TV production companies, to help them source and operate electric vehicles, when filming on location
