Switching to Electric
With such a large range of used electric vehicles, you can find the perfect electric used car for your lifestyle today at Available Car, where we making switching to electric, hassle-free.
Why Switch to Electric
Switching to an electric vehicle is a smart, future-proof decision that offers significant financial, environmental, and driving benefits. With such a large range of used electric vehicles, you can find the perfect EV for your lifestyle today at Available Car.
Things to consider when making the switch to an electric vehicle include: Range | charging options | Hybrid or Fully Electric| Budget and vehicle size
Types of Electric Cars
Choosing the right fuel type is just as important as choosing the right car. At AvailableCar, we stock Petrol (ICE), Diesel (ICE), Self-Charging Hybrid (HEV), Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and electric vehicles — so whatever your lifestyle, we’ve got something that works for you.
Self-Charging Hybrid
Hybrids switch seamlessly between petrol/diesel and electric power. They recharge themselves while driving, so there’s no need to plug in.
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
These cars can run purely on electricity for short distances (typically 20–40 miles) and switch to petrol/diesel for longer journeys. Perfect if you want lower running costs without fully committing to an EV.
Electric (EV)
EVs are quiet, smooth, and cheap to run — with no petrol or diesel costs. With home charging and growing public charging networks, they’re becoming more practical every year.
Types of EV
Don’t worry — our friendly team will guide you through the options based on your driving habits, budget, and lifestyle. Plus, you can use our EV charging cost checker to see exactly how much an electric car would cost to run.
Range at a glance
EVs range depends on:
Capacity of the battery
Weight and size of the vehicle
Age and mileage of the vehicle
Whether regenerative braking is support
Charging
Home Charging
Charging on the go
Zapmap has interactive maps showing where you can publicly access EV charging facilities within the UK
Charging Your EV at Home
Make charging your electric vehicle simple, safe, and convenient with a home charger. Whether you’d like it installed in your garage or on an external wall, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve partnered with Cord, trusted specialists in EV charging solutions, to provide reliable home chargers tailored to your needs. With Cord, you’ll enjoy:
Fast charging speeds – so your car is ready when you are
Smart technology – manage charging from your phone
Safe installation – by certified professionals
Future-ready solutions – compatible with the latest EV models
How much does it cost to charge my EV at Home
Curious what it will cost for your vehicle? Cord provides a handy tool where you can:
Enter your car registration (number plate), or
Select make and model if you don’t have a registration yet.
Battery capacity
Charging times for different methods (home charger, standard socket, rapid chargers)
Peak vs off-peak charging rates and costs
Cost per mile for charging, at home vs public charging
Compatibility data and charge port details
Charging your Electric Car Out & About
You don’t always need to rely on home charging — there are thousands of public charging points across the UK, and the network is growing every week. Whether you’re topping up on a long journey or charging while you shop, it’s easier than ever to stay powered up.
Types of Public Charging
Destination chargers
Found at supermarkets, shopping centres, car parks, gyms, and hotels. Great for topping up while you go about your day.Fast chargers (7–22kW)
Common in towns and workplaces, adding around 20–30 miles of range per hour.Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers (50kW–350kW)
Found at motorway service stations and key routes. These can add 100+ miles of range in as little as 20–30 minutes.
How to Pay: Most public chargers are simple to use:
Tap a contactless bank card or
Use a dedicated app (like Pod Point, BP Pulse, or Gridserve)
Many networks also offer subscriptions for lower per-kWh rates.
Planning your Journey
Apps such as Zap-Map, Google Maps, or your EV’s built-in sat nav can show you live availability of nearby chargers, costs, and charging speeds — so you can travel with confidence
Step-by-Step Guide:
Find a Charger: Use a dedicated app like Zap-Map, Plug Share, or your EV manufacturer's app to find available charge points.
Choose the Right Connector: Check the charging station for the correct connector type for your car. Common types include Type 2 (for slower AC charging) and CCS (for faster DC charging).
Connect the Cable: If the station has a built-in cable, plug it into your car's charging port. If it doesn't, use your own public charging cable.
Authenticate and Start Charging: Use your app to scan a QR code, use a contactless card, or tap an RFID card or fob to start your session and begin payment.
Monitor Your Charge: Use the app to check the charging status, your battery level, and the estimated time for a full charge.
End the Session: Stop the charging session using the app or charge point controls.
Unplug and Store: Unplug the cable from your car and the charger, then securely replace it.
For more information on the best UK cities for EV charging, read our helpful blog.
Everything you need to know about the buying a Used Electric Car. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our team.
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Is it worth buying a second-hand electric car?
Yes, buying a second-hand electric car can be a great affordable alternative to buying new. A used electric car is both economically and environmentally beneficial as, due to their low maintenance and low initial cost, they have lower overall cost whilst giving zero emissions.
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How far can an electric car go before needing a recharge?
Most modern electric cars can go over 100 miles before needing a recharge, and many can even cover over 250 miles. This can be impacted by battery health, weight, weather, and how many features you’re using. For example, if you have lights, heating, and wipers activated on a dark, rainy day, it will drain the battery more than if you had none of them activated on a sunny drive.
Older electric cars will naturally have a lower driving range as their battery will be worn. This doesn’t mean used cars are unusable, just that you should be conscious of the limitations of their driving distance and be sure to check the health of the battery before purchase.
At Available Car, all our used electric cars have their electric battery health check certificate for peace of mind.
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How much does it cost to tax an electric car?
For most electric vehicle drivers, the cost of road tax (VED) in 2025 is £195 per 12 months.
If your electric car was first registered after 1 April 2025 and has a list price that exceeds £40,000 then you will also be required to pay the 'luxury car tax fee', which adds £425 a year and takes the total annual VED up to £620.
If your electric car was registered before April 2017, your annual VED will be £20.
There is no exemption from VED for EV drivers, with free road tax abolished on 1 April 2025.
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Are electric cars better for the environment?
Yes, electric cars are generally considered better for the environment due to their zero emissions. Whilst electric cars still produce a carbon footprint, it is considerably smaller than petrol or diesel cars. Plus, as they use electricity, the more electricity becomes powered by renewable resources like wind and solar, the more sustainable they become.