Which electric car should I buy?
Dreaming of owning an electric vehicle (EV)? Make it happen with Arnold Clark. Search our huge range of electric, hybrid and plug-ins from some of the world’s leading manufacturers.
If you choose electric driving, you’ll have three main choices:
Electric cars
- Fully electric
- No petrol
- Zero CO2 emissions
- Electricity is supplied by plugging into the grid
Plug-in Hybrid(PHEV)
- Powered by an electric motor
- Combustion engine is the secondary power source
- Electricity supplied by plugging into the grid
- Lower CO2 emissions than a hybrid
Hybrid cars
- Powered mainly by a combustion engine
- Electric motor is the secondary power source
- Electricity is generated when you drive
- Higher CO2 than a plug-in hybrid
The benefits of electric cars
Want to help save the planet while cutting your vehicle’s running costs? EVs are the way forward. Here’s what you can enjoy when you choose to go electric:
Low to zero road tax rates
Leave other drivers green with envy in your new, emission-reducing EV.
No petrol costs
Running an EV is cheaper and cleaner than using traditional fuels.
A smooth driving experience
With fewer moving parts and reduced engine noise, expect a calmer commute in your new EV.
No road tax
EVs are clean, green machines – meaning cheaper running costs for you.
Government grants and incentives
With the government keen to meet agreed emissions targets, financial assistance is available to help you make the switch.
No more range anxiety
Some EV cars deliver as much as 330 miles fully charged, which is sure to soothe any range anxiety you might have.
Electric car charging points
Driveway or parking space outside your home? You can charge your car’s battery overnight using a traditional plug socket. There are also 12,000 electric car charging stations in the UK, with new charging points popping up daily.
You access electric car charging points using a network tariff card. The type of charging point you can use is down to which connector your car has.
Charging point differences
Slow
Slow charging is rated at 3-6kW, meaning you can charge your EV overnight by plugging into a traditional three-pin socket.
Fast
Fast chargers are rated at either 7kW or 22kW, depending on their type. You can fully charge a car that’s powered by a 30kWh battery in 2-5 hours.
Rapid
Rapid charging of up to 50kW will have your car at 80% charge in just 40 minutes, meaning you can take on long distances hassle-free.
Electric cars from Arnold Clark
With more manufacturers than ever making excellent EVs, now’s the time to take advantage of this exciting technology. Choose from a range of makes and models today.
Electric car news
Need to know more? We’ve compiled everything you need to know about electric vehicles, including insurance, grants and tax.
ScottishPower partnership
We’ve partnered with ScottishPower to create the UK’s first end-to-end electric vehicle package.
Insurance, grants and tax
We’ve brought some of the main points regarding insurance, grants and tax into one place.
First drive: Kia e-Niro
Motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay visits Seoul and puts Kia’s new electric offering to the test.
Ready to go electric?
Whether an electric, hybrid, or plug-in, we’ve got the info you need to choose the right EV for you.