Introduction to Electric Cars

If you’re interested in the benefits of switching to an electric vehicle (EV) but you’re having trouble distinguishing your PHEV from your HEV, then don’t worry, here are WLMG we are here to help.

Let’s compare the various types of electric vehicles available, to give you a better understanding about which EV is right for you.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

In simple terms, energy is stored in a large battery, which drives a powerful electric motor. Easy. To charge it, simply plug it into a home chargepoint, or a public charger when you’re out and about, and the car will take care of the rest. Plug it in at home, and you wake up every morning with a ‘full tank’* The car then drives on battery power alone, there is no need to add petrol or diesel. It can even add charge to the battery while you are driving by recovering energy that would normally be lost – when braking for example.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

In terms of how you use it, a self-charging hybrid car works just like a conventional car – there is no need to plug in – simply fill up with petrol at the pumps, and off you go! So what does hybrid mean? It’s pretty simple, along with a petrol or diesel engine, hybrid cars also have an electric motor that is powered by a small battery. The aim of the electric motor is to assist the engine and occasionally drive very short distances on battery power – as opposed to driving long distances on battery power alone as a plug-in hybrid or a battery-electric vehicle would. 



The battery is charged by recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted – when slowing down for example. The battery then feeds this energy to the electric motor to help with acceleration or to drive the car at low speeds. This means lower emissions, better fuel economy and more money to spend on the things you enjoy. Great!

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) works in a similar way to a self-charging hybrid– there is a petrol engine that works with an electric motor and a battery. In a plug-in hybrid, the battery is much larger than in a self-charging hybrid. This means the car is able to travel around 30 miles on battery power alone – more than enough for the UK average daily commute – but it can also call on the petrol engine for longer trips. 

Like a self-charging hybrid, the battery can be charged a little while driving, but for the full benefit, you will need to plug in. Charging a PHEV should take less than three hours. Put this all together and you can enjoy miles of low-cost, all-electric driving while still having a petrol engine for those rare long distance trips. Perfect. 

Mild Hybrid

A mild hybrid car works in a very similar way to a self-charging hybrid car, but it has a smaller battery. Because the battery is smaller, a mild hybrid cannot drive on battery power alone – unlike a self-charging hybrid in which the motor can take over at low speed or when cruising.

Instead, the petrol or diesel engine does the majority of the work and the electric motor is there to provide assistance. This means the engine doesn’t have to work as hard, which means lower emissions and increased fuel economy. The battery is charged by recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted – when slowing down for example. There is no need to plug-in a mild hybrid, simply keep it topped up with petrol or diesel as you would with a conventional car.

Home Charging

Changan Official EV Home Charging Partner is Ohme

We believe the transition to electric driving should be seamless, affordable, and rewarding. That’s why Changna UK partnered with Ohme as the official EV home charging solution.

Ohme is dedicated to making clean energy accessible with intuitive smart charging technology. By syncing directly with real-time energy grid data, Ohme smart chargers automatically select the cheapest and greenest off-peak hours to charge your Changan—ensuring your vehicle is fully powered and ready to go whenever you are, all while lowering your running costs.

Maximise Savings Automatically Ohme’s intelligent tech integrates with smart energy tariffs to charge your EV during low-cost hours, putting you in complete control of your energy bills from day one.

Charge Greener By dynamically scheduling charges when renewable energy generation is high on the national grid, Ohme helps minimise your carbon footprint with every charge.

Fully Compliant & Future-Proof Every Ohme home charger fully complies with the latest UK Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations, ensuring complete security, reliability, and peace of mind.

Trusted Support You’re in safe hands. Ohme offers end-to-end guidance through the installation and setup process, backed by an 85% 5-star rating on Trustpilot.

The Ohme ePod The all-new Ohme ePod is suitable for all types of electric vehicles featuring Ohme’s class-leading smart charging technology. Its compact design makes it an ideal discreet charger for all homes.

  • Compliant with new Smart Charger Regulations
  • Untethered model
  • Compatible with Type 1 and Type 2 electric vehicles
  • Solar compatible
  • Home power balancing
  • Power: 7.4kW (25 miles per hour)
  • Charge via smartphone app or interactive buttons on the ePod

The Ohme Home Pro The Ohme Home Pro is our premium charger, perfect for powering your car at home the easy way. Simply control your charging sessions via its interactive LCD screen or on the Ohme smartphone app.

  • Compliant with new Smart Charger Regulations
  • Tethered model
  • Comes with a 5m Type 2 cable as standard (8m cable upgrade available at an extra cost for parking spaces a little bit further away)
  • Solar compatible + Home power balancing
  • Power: 7.4kW (25 miles per hour)
  • Charge via smartphone app or interactive buttons on the Home Pro

Public Charging​​

Hit the road and embrace Public Charging

Are you ready to explore the UK's beautiful landscapes without the range anxiety associated with traditional vehicles? Public charging stations provide a convenient and accessible way to fuel your electric car journey. Whether you're embarking on a road trip or simply need a quick top-up, there are numerous charging points available across the country.

By using the tools and guides on zapmap, we'll provide you with essential information on public charging, including:

  • Types of Public Chargers: Understanding the different charging speeds and connectors.
  • Finding Charging Stations: Using apps and online resources to locate stations.
  • Costs and Payment Methods: Exploring various payment options for public charging.

Enter your postcode in the map to search for your nearest charging points. Use the handy filter tool to choose between locations, connector types, pricing and network, and zoom in to see more detail.

Charging Speeds in the UK

Public charging stations in the UK offer a range of speeds to suit different needs:

  • Rapid Chargers (100kW+): Delivering the fastest charging times, these stations can add up to 100 miles of range in just 30 minutes.
  • Fast Chargers (50-100kW): Providing a balance of speed and convenience, these stations can add up to 50 miles of range in 30 minutes.
  • Slow Chargers (7kW): Ideal for overnight charging or extended stays, these stations can add up to 10 miles of range per hour

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EV charging made simple

Search for EV charging points, plan journeys and pay for charging with Zapmap – wherever you go.

Handy Tools

Home Charging

How much does it cost and how long does it take to charge an EV at home?

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Public Charging

How long does a charge take and how much does it cost?

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Journey Cost

How much does a typical journey cost in an EV? How does this compare to your current car?

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​Discover the range of our electric cars