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Comprehensive Guide to Electric Cars: Charging and Range explained

Discover the essentials of electric vehicles: demystify charging and range for a better understanding of green transportation choices.

  1. The IONIQ 5 parked in a driveway pictured from the back.

    Convenience

    When charging at home, you'll need to have the option to park off the street. For home charging, many drivers of electric vehicles choose to have a wall-mounted charging point installed at home for faster charging vs. a normal wall socket. You might be eligible for government grants to help with the costs of installation.
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  1. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 getting plugged in to charge at a charging station.

    At work

    Some companies may offer charging stations for their employees and visitors making it easy and convenient to charge your electric vehicle.
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  1. The IONIQ 6 in charge and a person leaning on the car.

    Accessibility

    There are plenty of options to find a charger when you are out and about. With an ever-growing public infrastructure, you can find one available at many supermarkets, public car parks, leisure centres, and other destinations. You can use Charge myHyundai to plan your journey, locate charging points, and pay through the app.
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Charging

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

Charging time depends on connection type, the size of your battery, outside temperature, and a range of external factors. Discover more below.
  1. The IONIQ 6 in charge, parked on the driveway and a woman walking behind the vehicle.

    Charging Dynamics: AC vs DC

    There are two types of charging: alternating current (AC) and fast direct current (DC). AC is typically less energy-intensive and therefore slower than DC. When you charge at home and some publically available chargers, you will probably be using AC. DC chargers are typically found at public charging stations and provide a much quicker charge time. 
  2. The IONIQ 5 in a beach scenery charging a drone.

    AC charging

    Charging with alternating current (AC) can be done at wall-mounted home charging stations, commonly called “wall-boxes” which typically provide a charge of up to 22 kW. Charging times depend on the size and age of the battery, as well as on the capacity of the vehicle’s on-board charger. The on-board charger converts the AC energy into DC energy that can be stored in the high voltage battery.
  3. The IONIQ 5 in charge with a IONITY charger on the street.

    DC charging

    Most fast-charging stations provide a charge of above 22 kW, with some stations providing a charge of up to 350 kW. With this extra power, many fast-charging stations can provide a 20% to 80% charge in a reasonably quick time. For example, with the IONIQ 6, you can go from 10% to 80% charge in as little as 18 to 36 minutes1 when connected to an 350 kW ultra-fast charger. Just stop for a coffee and plug in to add range.
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Vehicle-to-Load

V2L charging: a power bank on four wheels

The Vehicle-to-Load technology in IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6 and KONA EV allows you to you freely use or charge electric devices, such as electric bicycles, laptops or camping equipment – while on the move or on location.  What’s more, this technology can effectively replace fuel-powered generators in emergencies or in remote locations, allowing you to power your home, cabin or camping site with up to 3.6 kW of electricity.
  1. The 220-volt outlet under the rear seat of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 for Vehicle-to-Load charging.

    Charge from inside your car

    You can power any device or charge electrical equipment up to 3.6 kW with the on-board 220V plug of IONIQ 6’s Vehicle-to-Load technology (V2L). 
  2. The Hyundai IONIQ 6 charging a tablet computer via its bidirectional exterior charging port.

    Or charge from anywhere

    Thanks to the converter that plugs into the bidirectional exterior charging port, you can power devices up to 3.6 kW even when the vehicle is turned off.
  3. Hyundai IONIQ 6 all-electric saloon plugged into a charging station.

    Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)

    V2G allows energy to be pushed back to the power grid from the battery of an EV. Hyundai plans to implement the V2G function to its upcoming BEV models.

    Costs

    How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

    The cost of charging your EV depends on a few variables. For example, the public charging options available around you, the energy provider for your wall-box, and the size of your car battery.

    Do your maths

    On average, individuals in the UK travel approximately 20 miles per day, totalling just over 140 miles per week. If this aligns with your typical usage, then an electric car would be an ideal choice for you. In fact, even if your weekly mileage were six times higher than the UK average, an electric car would still be perfectly suited to your needs.
    Explore Hyundai Tarrifs

    Ohme

    Find out more about our recommended home EV charger provider

    The all-new Hyundai KONA Electric in charge

    The best way to minimise your electric car charge cost is to charge at home. 

    Hyundai recommend Ohme as our preferred home EV charger supplier.

    Ohme's unique tech integrates with all energy tariffs, including Intelligent Octopus and OVO Charge Anytime, so that you can charge at the cheapest and greenest times available. Running a Hyundai IONIQ 6 Single Motor RWD with its 77.4kWh battery (WLTP range: 338mls) and an Ohme smart charger on Intelligent Octopus Go*, for example, could cost £116.80 for a year for an average UK driver doing 6,800 miles. By comparison, charging on the Standard Variable Tariff would cost £451.62 for the same distance and an equivalent petrol car would be more than £1,200.

    Your local Hyundai Retailer can help you order 7.4 kW Ohme Home Pro or 7.4 kW Ohme ePod at a price, reserved to Hyundai customers.

    You may be also eligible for the EV chargepoint grant (1)⁠⁠⁠ to help you with your electric car charger installation cost if you own or rent a flat (you can get either 75% off or up to £350 off the cost to buy and install a socket, whichever amount is lower.) Ohme team will help with this process too.

    Find out more

    Range

    How far can I drive?

    Just as there is a range of factors that affect a vehicle's fuel efficiency, the total electric driving range will be affected by the size of the battery, your driving style, the outside temperature, any passengers you are carrying and more.
    1. Battery charge Hyundai icon.

      Driving Distance

      Short city commute or longer distance driving?

    2. Charging point Hyundai icon.

      Charging Station Access

      Home, office or on the road?

    3. Steering wheel Hyundai icon.

      Driving Style

      Calm and Collected?

      1. The TUCSON Plug-in Hybrid and IONIQ 5 parked in front of a building.

        Plan your route

        If you are driving a fully-electric vehicle, it’s important to plan your route ahead of time, so you can grab a coffee and a rest where there are high-speed DC Fast charging stations. And to make it easy, on-board systems like Hyundai’s Live Services show you real-time charging station information such as location, connector types, and availability so you can find a charger quickly and easily.
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      1. The IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 parked on the driveway.

        How you drive

        As with a petrol or diesel car, another important deciding factor in the range of your electric vehicle is your driving style. The faster and more aggressive you drive, the quicker the battery will be depleted. In addition, if you are driving up steep inclines, the EV will require more power and the battery will need to be charged earlier.
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      Factors that affect charging times

      Many factors affect how fast your car can charge:  the size and state of the battery, the charging rate of the vehicle as well as the charge point. Environmental factors also come into play, such as extreme cold or heat.

      How long is your daily commute?

      Set the bar according to your daily commute and calculate the number of days between charges.

      22

      KONA Electric

       

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      IONIQ 5

       

      days

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      Just as there is a range of factors that affect the fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine (ICE), the total electric driving range will be affected by the size of the battery, your driving style, the outside temperature, any passengers you are carrying and more.

        Find out more

        Download

        Beginner's Guide to Going Electric

        To learn more about owning an electric vehicle we recommend downloading the detailed guide below.

        FAQs

        We have the answer

        Welcome to our FAQ section. Here, you can explore various topics concerning charging and range of electric cars. Simply click on the question you're interested in to find answers.

        Frequently asked questions about charging and range of Electric Vehicles

        It's well-known that electricity and water should be kept apart. However, no current passes between the car and the charging station until they've established communication and ensured everything is operating smoothly. Furthermore, the car and cables are enveloped in protective layers to shield them from moisture or dirt. So, yes - you can charge an electric car in the rain.
        You can safely bring an electric car through a car wash as all the high-voltage parts are securely concealed within the body, safeguarded by seals to prevent any risk of fire. Cleaning an electric car is no different from washing any other vehicle; the potential for harm is minimal, and this applies equally to all plug-in hybrid vehicles.
        No, when DC charging the battery, the process is quite linear until it reaches approximately 80%. Beyond that point, the charging power is gradually reduced to safeguard the battery.
        No, the charging process stops by itself when it is finished. For more information on charging, visit our Charge myHyundai page.
        The expense incurred from recharging your EV through your electricity provider is often lower compared to refuelling a conventional petrol vehicle. Moreover, the charging location also impacts the cost of recharging your EV. Similar to most EV owners, you'll probably charge at home and pay the rates set by your residential energy provider.
        Hyundai has embraced the 800-volt architecture, allowing its car batteries to efficiently absorb electricity at higher power levels by lowering the current, which can be a limiting factor for other vehicles. For example, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 is equipped with a 77 kWh battery offering up to 3382 miles of range. Its 800V technology, allows you to benefit from ultra-fast charging which can go from 10% to 80% charge in as little as 18 to 36 minutes1 when connected to a 350 kW ultra-fast charger.

        There are 2 options:

        1. When available, please press the "STOP" button on the charging station. This is located either on the display of the charging station or to the right of the display of the charging station. Additionally, you can stop charging on the app of the charging provider.

        Please note, stopping the charging process may take up to a few minutes. After the charge is finished, the connector will automatically unlock and you can place it back into its position at the station.

        2. Release the connector through the manufacturer's instructions, e.g. via the car key or by pressing the release button on the charging port.

        This official figure provides an estimate of the distance an electric car can travel between charges. The WLTP acronym stands for 'Worldwide Light Vehicles Test Procedure' and was implemented after several car manufacturers were discovered to be manipulating fuel consumption and emissions data during official tests. While it should offer an accurate indication of potential mileage, various factors influence the actual range. With time and experience driving your electric car, you'll become familiar with the range achievable based on your driving habits.
        The range of your electric car depends on the specific model you select. We offer a combined Worldwide Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) figure for each of our electric vehicles, providing an estimated range. For example, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 is equipped with a 77 kWh battery offering up to 3382 miles of range. However, numerous real-world variables can impact this range, including external temperature, road conditions, usage of onboard features like air conditioning or electronic devices, and, notably, your driving habits. 
        Typically, electric cars can travel anywhere from 100 to 350 miles on a single charge, varying depending on the specific make and model. For example, our KONA Electric offers two different driving ranges depending on the battery you're selecting, the 48.4 kWh battery with up to 234 miles driving range or the 65.4 kWh version that delivers a range of up to 319 miles on a single charge.
        In short, there's no need to worry. Electric car batteries are crafted to last the entirety of the vehicle's lifespan and tend to experience favourable conditions throughout. Furthermore, for additional peace of mind, the warranties covering battery packs in all electric cars often exceed those of other vehicle components. All Hyundai electric cars are backed by an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty on their batteries. Should the battery's capacity drop below 70% of its original capacity during this period, it will be repaired.

        If you have access to a charging point at home, or even a standard three-pin plug socket, you can charge your car at a slower rate. Doing this overnight allows you to benefit from lower electricity rates and wake up to a fully charged vehicle in the morning. Here are the steps to follow: 1. Locate your charging cable; 2. Plug the cable into your car; 3. Once charging has commenced, you can lock up and leave your car for as long as needed; 4. You can easily check the charging status using the Hyundai Bluelink app without the need to physically check the vehicle.

        For example, the Hyundai KONA Electric is equipped with a 10.5 kW on-board charger (OBC.) On a 11 kW home wallbox or public AC charging station (EU 3-phase 230V) the charging time is: 6 hours and 25 minutes.

        View our progressive electric range

        Electric Awaits.
        1. IONIQ 6

          IONIQ 6

          From £47,040.00

          • Main Features
          • Up to 77.4 kWh battery capacity
          • Electric range from 322-338 miles*
          • 18-36 minutes to recharge (10 to 80%)**
          Explore
        2. IONIQ 5

          IONIQ 5

          From £43,445.00

          • Main Features
          • Up to 77.4 kWh battery capacity
          • Electric range from 238 to 315 miles*
          • 18-36 minutes to recharge (10 to 80%)**
          Explore
        3. KONA Electric

          KONA Electric

          From £34,995.00

          • Main Features
          • Up to 65.4 kWh battery capacity
          • Up to 319 miles electric range*
          • Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go Function
          Explore

          *Maximum range according to WLTP combined cycle. Specification dependent. Actual range will vary depending on factors including road conditions, outdoor temperature, driving style, use of climate control and battery condition.

          **350kW ultra-fast charger required for quickest charge times - chargers are currently available on selected arterial routes – see Charge myHyundai map for details. Not currently available in Northern Ireland.

          Hyundai test data for comparison purposes. Actual time will vary and is dependent on several factors including battery temperature, condition and age, ambient temperature and the power provided by the charger. Charge time increases in cold weather and if battery temperature activates safeguarding technology.

          In optimal conditions, the latest IONIQ 5 is capable of accepting power at up to 240kW and IONIQ 6 at 239kW.

          Explore more about Electric

          Charge MyHyundai

          Join one of the largest public charging networks in Europe – and access over 730,000 charge points.

          Visit our "Electric, Hybrid, or Plug-in?" page

          Find out more about the different electrified powertrain choices and which type best suits your lifestyle and driving habits.