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.

​Discover the range of our electric cars

MG4 EV electric range

Powered by either a 51kWh (SE), 64kWh (SE Long Range and Trophy Long Range), or 77kWh (Trophy Extended Range) battery, MG4 EV has a range of up to 323 miles from a single charge on the WLTP combined cycle.

Up to 323 miles WLTP Range

35 minutes* Rapid Charging 10 to 80% (150kW public rapid charger)

Find out more  View MG4 EV New and Used Stock

MG ZS EV electric range

Powered by a 72.6kWh, water-cooled lithium-ion battery, MG ZS EV Long Range has a driving range of up to 273 miles from a single charge on the WLTP combined cycle.

Up to 273 miles WLTP Range

42 minutes** Rapid Charging 10 to 80% (100kW public rapid charger)

Find out moreView MG ZS EV New and Used Stock

MG5 EV Long Range electric range

Powered by a 61.1kWh, water-cooled lithium-ion battery, MG5 EV Long Range has a driving range of up to 250 miles from a single charge on the WLTP combined cycle.

Up to 250 miles WLTP Range

35 minutes*** Rapid Charging 10 to 80% (150kW public rapid charger)

Find out more  View MG5 EV New and Used Stock

Home Charging

Discover the Convenience and Cost-Effectiveness of Home Charging

Embracing the electric revolution is easier than ever with the convenience of home charging. By installing a dedicated charger in your driveway or garage, you can enjoy the freedom of electric driving without the hassle of public charging stations.

Types of Home Chargers Available in the UK

Wallbox: A dedicated charging unit that mounts to your wall. Wallboxes offer faster charging speeds and advanced features like smart charging capabilities.

Tethered Cable: A cable that connects your car directly to a standard socket. While slower than wallboxes, tethered cables are a more affordable option for those on a budget.

Portable Charger: A compact and portable device that can be plugged into any standard socket. These chargers are ideal for occasional charging or while traveling.

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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*10-80% charging time applies to MG4 EV SE/Trophy Long Range with the 64kWh battery using a 150kW Ultra-Fast charger under standardised test conditions. Charging times in real world conditions will vary dependent on a number of factors, including but not limited to the age of battery, charging conditions, temperature and the existing charge of the battery, charger used and duration of charge. Charging times will be increased when using chargers of a lower capacity. Availability of 150kW-capable chargers may be limited depending on your location.

**10-80% charging time applies to MG ZS EV SE/Trophy Long Range with the 72.6kWh battery using a 150kW Ultra-Fast charger under standardised test conditions. Charging times in real world conditions will vary dependent on a number of factors, including but not limited to the age of battery, charging conditions, temperature and the existing charge of the battery, charger used and duration of charge. Charging times will be increased when using chargers of a lower capacity. Availability of 150kW-capable chargers may be limited depending on your location.

***10-80% charging time applies to MG5 EV SE/Trophy Long Range with the 61.1kWh battery using a 150kW Ultra-Fast charger under standardised test conditions. Charging times in real world conditions will vary dependent on a number of factors, including but not limited to the age of battery, charging conditions, temperature and the existing charge of the battery, charger used and duration of charge. Charging times will be increased when using chargers of a lower capacity. Availability of 150kW-capable chargers may be limited depending on your location.