1. Range: Are electric cars only suitable for city driving due to their limited range?

The issue of low range is now outdated. Let’s take Tesla as an example:
Tesla claims the Model S has a range of 610km (379 miles). This means you can drive the Model S roughly 600km (370 miles) from Berlin to Munich in around five and a half hours, or from Glasgow to Bristol in about six hours, without needing to charge it. Tesla reckons the Model 3 can manage 560km (348 miles). By comparison, the range of the VW ID.4 is 500km (300 miles), the Audi e-tron 55 is 433km (250 miles) and the Seat el-Born is 420km (260 miles). So in theory, you could drive straight there, without having to stop. But who actually does that? Realistically, you would take a break at a service station for a snack on long journeys. You can also recharge your internal batteries with a coffee while you recharge car with electricity. The battery will have plenty of power in less than 30 minutes at a fast charging point. You can pick out these fast public charging points, which are available across Europe, in seconds before you set off. For example at chargemap.com. This way, you can relax as you pop to events in your neighbouring city or visit friends who live a little further away and chill out as you negotiate longer journeys on holiday.

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These days you can get further than you think with an electric car.

2. Battery life: Does the battery in an electric car only last a few years?

When considering the potential issues with electric cars, people often want to know about
the battery’s service life. Ultimately, the battery is the beating heart of the electric car, so it
goes without saying that this is important. And expensive. As such, many car drivers fear that
the battery could stop working and need to be replaced after just a few years. To allay these
fears for customers, many carmakers offer a warranty on the battery. Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Nissan, Vauxhall, Seat, Jaguar and Peugeot all offer a warranty that states that the battery should maintain at least 70% of its original capacity after eight years of operation or
a mileage of 160,000 km (100,000 miles). In other words, drivers who have been using their battery for eight years or have 160,000 km (100,000 miles) on the clock can count on their vehicle’s battery capacity still being at least 70%.

3. Range of models: When will there finally be a wide variety of electric vehicles? 

Surprise! There already is a huge choice. An increasing number of carmakers are putting electric cars on the market, with everything from the little VW eUP! city car right through to the sporty Porsche Taycan. According to Autocar, the top 10 best electric cars in the UK in 2020 are:

1. Kia e-Niro
2. Volkswagen ID 3
3. Peugeot e-208
4. Hyundai Kona Electric
5. Mini Electric
6. Kia Soul EV
7. Nissan Leaf
8. Renault Zoe
9. Honda E
10. BMW i3

Not on the list, but on the roads are the Citroën C-Zero, DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, e.GO Life 60/40+, Hyundai Ioniq, Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes EQC, Nissan e-NV200 Evalia, Vauxhall Corsa-e, Skoda Citigo e iV, VW e-Golf, smart fortwo, Tesla Model 3, smart forfour, Audi e-tron and the VW eUP.

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All major carmakers make electric cars. You're spoiled for choice.

 

4. Charging stations: Can anybody have their own wallbox installed at home?

Yes, of course. It’s really simple and nothing special any more. No matter whether you rent or
own your home, you can have a charging station installed in your garage or by your parking
space in the underground parking facility. In some countries, it will soon be your legal right.
(If you would like to learn more, we have written our own article on this topic.) Webasto is happy to help you choose the right station for you. You can find more information on wallboxes here.

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Having your own charging station brings many benefits.

We hope we have been able to provide an insight into the latest information with interesting facts for you to take away. Who knows? Maybe people will start to realise that electromobility
is picking up speed and electric cars really are suitable for daily use now.