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Electric Car Charging

EV Charging with Bridgend Ford

The how, when and where of electric vehicle charging might appear to be something of a minefield. For a start, given that there are three main types of electric vehicle (hybrid, plug-in hybrid and 100% electric), what are their particular charging requirements?

Also, you might be wondering about electric range – what is it and how it might affect you if you choose a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or all-electric car?

There’s no need to worry, however: Bridgend Ford is here to help you navigate the world of electric charging – and explain the available options.

Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Charging

All HEVs (and MHEVs) are self-charging, something that doesn’t apply to PHEVs and EVs, which can be charged…

LeftRight

At home or at work
Public

It’s estimated that approximately 80% of PHEV/EV owners charge their vehicle at home, which is hardly surprising since it’s the most convenient option. And if you drive to and from work, you should be able to charge your vehicle there too.

In either scenario, you have options.

Three-pin power source – rated at 3 kW, a standard three-pin socket provides the most readily available home-charging solution, even if it’s the slowest. Nevertheless, it’s a popular choice for a great many PHEV/EV drivers because it allows a vehicle to be charged overnight.

In most cases, a Type 2 cable (which is standard with European and Asian vehicles produced from 2018 and onwards) is supplied with a PHEV or EV. (Type 1 charging connectors are commonly used with North American vehicles.) You’ll need this to connect your car to an available home/work three-pin power outlet.

Dedicated wallbox – such as a Ford Connected Wallbox; a specially installed option which is rated at 7 kW, thus enabling fast-charging speeds.

A Ford Connected Wallbox comes with an integrated 7.5-metre Type 2 charging cable and is WiFi enabled, allowing you to manage charging via the FordPass app. (Please consult the Long Trips section of this page for FordPass details.)

Please refer to the Charging Times section of this page for information about 3 kW and 7 kW charging speeds.

There are more than 26,800 charging locations throughout the UK, including at least 72,700 connectors and 45,700-plus devices. Since as many as 2,000 devices per month are being added, the aforementioned figures will already be out of date when you read this.

One of the great benefits of public charging is the increase in charging speeds you’ll encounter. For instance, most public charging points offer rapid charging capability, and many allow compatible PHEVs and EVs to enjoy ultra-rapid charging speeds.

Rapid chargers are typically rated from 43 kW while ultra-rapid chargers are rated at 100 kW or higher.

Please refer to the Charging Times section of this page for information about fast-charging speeds.

How to charge? How do you charge a hybrid or electric vehicle? The honest answer is: it depends on the type of vehicle you choose and how you go about charging it. Let’s look at the options while exploring the different kinds of electric cars:

Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)/Mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV)
A car or van equipped with a combustion engine, which is boosted by an electric motor which, in turn, is powered by a self-charging battery.

HEVs (including MHEVs) are one step up from a regular combustion-engined vehicle because they run purely on fuel. The purpose of the motor is to assist the engine, and it does so by delivering instant torque, for example.

HEVs are typically more affordable to run and produce fewer emissions than conventional cars – they’re also convenient, because no manual charging is required.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)
PHEVs are similar to HEVs in that they feature a combustion engine, an electric motor and a battery. However, the main difference is that a PHEV can run on electric-only power over a certain distance. For instance, the Ford Kuga PHEV offers an all-electric range of up to 41 miles, which is very useful if you do much of your driving in a town or city.

Compared to an HEV (and especially a combustion-engined car or van), PHEVs are significantly more affordable to run and produce considerably fewer emissions.

PHEVs require manual charging, which can be achieved at home, at work or on the road.

Electric vehicle (EV)
The most affordable type of motor car to run, an EV also produces zero harmful emissions, making it the most eco-friendly option.

EV range is dependent on the vehicle in question. For example, the Mustang Mach-E offers a range between 273 and 372 miles.

EVs are fitted with a fully electric powertrain, consisting of an electric motor and a high-capacity battery. As with PHEVs, EVs require manual charging, which can be done at home, at work or out and about.

The Benefits of Buying Electric from Bridgend Ford

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles produce fewer CO2 and NOx emissions than their conventional, combustion-engined equivalents – and all-electric vehicles produce none at all.
An electrified car is cheaper to run, and this is especially true of pure-electric cars.
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles deliver instant torque and therefore more responsive acceleration – a major asset in the city.
Hybrid vehicles are self-charging, a process that occurs when driving – via regenerative braking, for instance.
Though plug-in hybrid and 100% electric cars require manual charging, this can easily be achieved at home, at work or on the road.
Owners of hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicles enjoy full exemption from Clean Air Zone charges around the UK, including London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Experience a near-silent driving experience with an all-electric car – or a plug-in hybrid in pure-electric mode.
Electric cars attract the lowest Vehicle Excise Duty rates.
Official EVA approved dealership with industry leading EV technicians on site

Slow

8 - 10 hours Usually rated up to 3kW is mainly used to charge overnight
at home or workplace. Takes 8-10 hours to fully charge.

Fast

3 - 4 hours Rated at either 7kW or 22kW and can usually be found in car parks, supermarkets, leisure centres. Takes 3-4 hours to fully charge.

Rapid

30 - 60 minutes Typically rated from 43kW and found at motorway service stations, petrol stations, supermarkets. Takes 30-60 minutes to fully charge.

Charging Times

Charging times vary according to the type of plug-in hybrid/fully electric vehicle you drive and the charging option you use.

For instance, an EV requires longer charging times than a PHEV because it runs solely on electricity, whereas a PHEV has a combustion engine to fall back on.

90kw Battery

50kw Charger

2 hours to charge

Where do I charge? There are many benefits to driving electric, whether you wish to enjoy self-charging convenience with an HEV, or greater economy and lower/zero emissions with a PHEV/EV. If you choose a PHEV or EV, you can quickly find your nearest public charging point by using the Zapmap app, which is free to download from Google Play and the App Store. See Public Chargers

Short Trips.
If you intend to make a short trip, an EV is more than capable of getting you there and back without you needing to charge the battery on the way. For instance, upon a full charge, the all-electric Mustang Mach-E offers a range of up to 372 miles.

If you drive a plug-in hybrid – such as the Kuga PHEV – and its battery is fully charged, you’ll be able to enjoy all-electric motoring for up to 41 miles.

Medium Trips.
When travelling further afield, it’s more essential to check that your EV’s battery has enough power, assuming you aren’t factoring in any charging pit stops. With a fully topped-up battery, you should be fine; for example, the all-new E-Transit Custom offers a range of up to 236 miles.

A PHEV will be unable to complete medium trips on electric power alone, which is why it has its combustion engine to fall back on.

Long Trips. If embarking on a journey of several hundred miles, it’s quite possible that even a fully topped-up EV battery will run out of juice. This is where the extensive network of public charging points comes in very handy. With the Zap Map app (free to download from the App Store or Google Play), you can easily find your nearest public charging station. Of course, you may prefer to use Ford’s dedicated FordPass solution which allows you to check your range, find your nearest charging station, monitor charging progress, pay for charging and much more. The FordPass app is also free to download for Apple and Android smartphones. Please click here to learn more.

Electric Charging FAQs

Please browse our frequently asked questions to see if your electric query is answered. If not, don’t hesitate to contact the friendly, knowledgeable Bridgend Ford team.

Contact Us You can get in touch with a member of the team at Bridgend Ford today in order to learn more about the benefits of going electric and to schedule a test drive for a time that is convenient for you.

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Financial Disclosure

Mistsolar Limited T/A Bridgend Ford is an Appointed Representative of Automotive Compliance Ltd, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No 497010). Automotive Compliance Ltd’s permissions as a Principal Firm allows Mistsolar Limited T/A Bridgend Ford to act as a credit broker, not as a lender, for the introduction to a limited number of lenders and to act as an agent on behalf of the insurer for insurance distribution activities only.

We can introduce you to a selected panel of lenders, which includes Ford Credit. An introduction to a lender does not amount to independent financial advice and we act as their agent for this introduction. Our approach is to introduce you first to Ford Credit who are usually able to offer the best available package for you, taking into account both interest rates and other contributions. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, we then seek to introduce you to whichever of the other lenders on our panel is able to make the next best offer of finance for you. Our aim is to secure the best deal you are eligible for from our panel of lenders. Lenders may pay a fixed commission to us for introducing you to them, calculated by reference to the vehicle model or amount you borrow. Different lenders may pay different commissions for such introductions, and Ford Credit also provide preferential rates to us for the funding of our vehicle stock and also provide financial support for our training and marketing. But any such amounts they and other lenders pay us will not affect the amounts you pay under your finance agreement, all of which are set by the lender concerned. If you ask us what the amount of commission is, we will tell you in good time before the Finance agreement is executed. All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18’s or over. Guarantees may be required.

Company Info

Bridgend Ford, Cowbridge Road, Waterton Industrial Estate, Bridgend, United Kingdom, CF31 3BF

Reg Office: Mistsolar Ltd t/a Bridgend Ford Cowbridge Road, Bridgend, CF31 3BF

Reg. Company Number: 1964884

VAT Reg. No. 526 3250 66 GB

FCA Reg. No. 307424