Warning to millions of EV drivers over charger error – it could cost you thousands

MILLIONS of EV drivers have been warned over a simple charger error that could cost them thousands in the long run.

Experts from Scrap Car Comparison shared their top three tips for keeping your electric car healthy and on the road.

1

With over one million EVs currently on the UK’s roads and a push to go net zero by 2035, knowing how to protect your motor’s battery health is more important than ever.

One of the major criticisms of EVs so far has been just how long it takes to charge up.

According to the American Petroleum Insitute, the average petrol car takes just two minutes to fill up at the pump.

Electric models, on the other hand, can take anywhere between 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the type of charger you use and the condition of your battery.

As a result, many customers turn to rapid charging stations to try and cut down waiting times.

However, motoring specialists have warned against doing so for the sake of your vehicle’s long-term health.

They explained that, while great for convenience, fast charges can wear down your battery at a higher rate than their slower counterparts.

Scrap Car’s analysis estimates that slow charging could extend your battery’s lifespan by up to 10% in the long term.

This allows drivers to get the most out of their vehicles before needing to replace the battery which can cost thousands of pounds.

Not only that, slow chargers are also a fair bit cheaper than rapid chargers, saving you yet more money over the years.

In fact, the best thing to do, if you can, is to install a home charger and smart meter to take advantage of overnight electricity rates and charge up while you sleep.

As such, Scrap Car recommends only using rapid chargers in an emergency.

David Kottaun, the company’s operations manager, said: “Electric and hybrid cars or vans are gradually taking up more of the automotive market, which means that they’re also starting to filter through to the scrapping sector.

“Battery maintenance is one of the best ways drivers can prevent their EVs from needing to hit the scrap heap, or requiring costly battery replacements, meaning it really pays to be considered when thinking about car care and charging routines for your EV.  

“Electric and hybrid vehicles help to reduce carbon emissions every single day, but the time will come when they need to be scrapped.

“Many manufacturers are now designing EV batteries with recycling in mind, making them easier to process when they do eventually reach the end of their life.”