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Bellinger Wantage – Electric Vehicles
How to charge? Where to charge & how fast to charge?At Bellinger, we currently stock a single electric vehicle (EV), the Subaru Solterra. However, it should be noted that Isuzu is currently working on an EV prototype while Subaru is set to release all-electric versions of existing models in the near future. So, watch this space.
Subaru Solterra
The Subaru Solterra features an all-electric drivetrain consisting of two electric motors, both of which are powered by a lithium-ion battery. In order for the latter to work, it needs to be charged on a regular basis.
Where can I charge my Electric vehicle?
Charging an electric vehicle couldn't be easier!
The Solterra – or any electric vehicle, for that matter – can be charged at home, at work or at one of thousands of charging points located around the UK. Several well-reviewed EV charging apps are available through Google Play and the App Store. One such app is Zap-Map, whose website is a good source of information.
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Public Charging.
Charging out and about.
In the UK, there are more than 42,000 public charge points situated across 15,000-plus locations. While some public charge points charge quicker than others, you’ll generally find that a fast-charging option, at the very least, is widely available.
Most EVs (including the Subaru Solterra) come with a Type 2 (slow-charging) cable that connects to a domestic power supply.
Since most workplaces use the same (three-pin) power supply that can be found in homes, slow-charging is the default option. However, more and more businesses are taking advantage of the government’s Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS). WCS provides financial support that helps with the purchase and installation of EV charge points for eligible businesses, public sector organisations and charities.
How to Charge?
Charge Points
Three types of charging connectors are available for EVs.
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You can charge an electric vehicle either by plugging it into a socket or by plugging into a charging unit. There are plenty of charging stations around the UK to stay fully charged while you're out and about.
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How Fast?
How fast can chargers be?
How long does charging take?
This very much depends on where and how you wish to charge. There are three options:
Slow – 8 to 10 hours using a domestic power supply
Fast – 3 to 4 hours using power supplies rated between 7 kW and 22 kW (such charging points can be found at supermarkets, carparks, leisure centres, etc.)
Rapid – 30 to 60 minutes using a 50-kW power supply (typically available at service stations, petrol stations and supermarkets)
How long does it take for a battery to reach 100%
This will depend on the size of your vehicle’s battery and the speed of the charging point. For instance, a 40 kWh battery connected to a slow charger takes almost 15 hours to go from zero to 100 percent. However, the average car battery size is 60 kWh and the bigger the battery, the longer the charging takes.
The Subaru Solterra features a 71.4 kWh 355-volt lithium-ion battery, which takes more than 10 hours to reach full capacity using a slow-charging 7 kW connector. However, with a rapid charger, the battery goes from 10 percent full to 80 percent in roughly 42 minutes.
Electric FAQs
If you have any electric or hybrid queries, please take a look at our frequently asked questions – and if you still require answers, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Are all electric cars automatic?
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Yes, all electric cars are fitted with a single-gear automatic transmission.
What is a hybrid car?
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A hybrid car is propelled by a combustion engine which is provided with extra power by an electric motor. The latter also delivers instant torque, which contributes towards quicker acceleration.
Deriving its energy from a self-charging battery, a hybrid vehicle tends to be more efficient and produces fewer CO2 emissions than its regular equivalent.
What is a plug-in hybrid car?
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A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) has a similar powertrain to a hybrid car. The main difference is that PHEVs can run purely on electricity for up to 25 miles, on average. Compared to regular vehicles, PHEVs are considerably more efficient and produce significantly fewer emissions.
While a PHEV’s battery requires manual charging (at home, at work or out and about), the vehicle runs mainly on fuel – unless your average journeys tend to be quite short.
Do electric cars have gears?
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Yes – only one gear is needed.
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
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It depends on the vehicle. For instance, zero to 100% charging times for the Subaru Solterra take approximately…
- 25 hours – using a three-pin (3 kW) domestic power source
- 10.7 hours – via a dedicated fast-charging (7 kW) domestic wallbox
- 1.5 hours – using a rapid-charging (50 kW) public connector
Should I buy an electric car?
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It depends on what you want out of your everyday driving experience. Please feel free to consult our Wantage, Oxfordshire showroom team for 100% impartial advice.
How do electric cars work?
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An electric car features an electric motor and a high-capacity battery (which requires manual charging). The latter provides the former with power. Electric cars produce zero CO2emissions and are very affordable to run and maintain.
How do hybrid cars work?
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Hybrid cars feature a combustion engine which is supported by an electric motor.
Are electric cars better for the environment?
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Yes. They produce no CO2 or NOx emissions, which means they deliver an eco-friendly driving experience.
Contact us
If you have any questions about EV charging, please get in touch with the team at Bellinger Wantage at your earliest convenience. In the meantime, if you’d like to explore the Subaru Solterra in more detail, please browse the vehicle on our website – and don’t hesitate to contact us to book your test drive.
