One of the main barriers to people switching (pardon the pun) from petrol to electric cars is the confusion that exists around charging points.

We thought it would be useful to have a blog that covers the main frequently asked questions on this topic. So, here goes!

How can I be sure the charging point at stations are the right ones for my car?

When it comes to charging your car at home you can obviously choose the right charger for you but what about when you are out and about? People worry about being left high and dry because of a lack of compatibility with whatever chargers are at their nearest station. But, we’re glad to report, that is a myth.

Charging stations are usually based in places like motorway service stations. They consist of two or more charging points and there are currently nearly 15,500 in the UK. 

Charging stations have their own leads so you only need to consider the end that attaches to your car. Typically, there’s a type 1 or a type 2 connector, however it’s easy to find an adaptor that will ensure you can use either type should you come across a charging station offering something different to the norm for your car.

Can I use any charging station or only one that’s run by the manufacturer of my car?

This is a common concern for electric car drivers, however, the government is planning significant investment in to the UKs electric car charging network in order to break the one-brand monopoly.

For now, you just need to consider the speed of charging: most stations have three types of charging available: slow, fast and rapid, taking anywhere from 8 hours down to as little as 30 minutes to charge your car from empty. However, fast charging may only be available for compatible brands (and in fact some brands cannot use it anyway). However, it’s rare that a station wouldn’t have an alternative option so it shouldn’t prevent you getting the battery boost you need.

Is it too risky to buy an electric car?

The general worry for people is around finding and accessing charging units when they’re out and about.

One good way to mitigate this is to instal a home charging point. This will mean you always top your car up overnight and start each day with a full battery. Around 80% of charging happens from home and government grants are available to help with cost.

Aside from that, the network is growing fast. Considering the first public charging points only surfaced in 2007, there’s already an impressive national network. The days of not being able to complete your journey due to a lack of charging options are gone in all but the very furthest reaches of the UK.

Destination chargers are also becoming more popular: these are cited at places like hotels, shopping centres or campsites and although slower, offer excellent peace of mind at the other end of your journey.

When it comes down to it, electric cars are fast becoming the best choice of vehicle. Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, they are cheaper to run and to maintain. If you’re still anxious, speak to one of our representatives who can help you choose a model that works for your lifestyle.

Take a look at our latest electric car leasing offers here.