Category Archives: EV Vehicles

Why EV’s Should Consider a Guaranteed Maintenance Contract

Despite having fewer moving parts, EV’s still require regular servicing and maintenance.

Why do EV’s need a maintenance contract?

EV’s are continuously being introduced into the market. EV manufacturers, should always consider offering a maintenance contract when selling vehicles. EV’s do have fewer mechanical parts however, there are still some areas that will need to be maintained. Just like any other vehicle the brakes, tyres, coolant and pollen filter will need to be checked and occasionally changed.

Braking System

In addition to conventional brakes, EVs have regenerative braking systems. Some of the energy that is lost when braking is usually fed back to the batteries. Like all vehicles, EVs still need new brake pads and discs overtime as well has brake fluid changed every two years.

Tyre Checks

EVs have been designed to need specialist tyres because they have been designed to cope with additional weight due to the vehicles battery and acceleration. When needing to change tyres it is dependant on the driver style and condition as some tyres will last up to 30,000 miles whereas others can only last 10,000.  Generally, they produce less rolling resistance and create less noise.

The Coolant

An EVs cooling system can be complex due to them being sealed, requiring trained technicians to access, check and maintain them correctly. The coolant is used to manage the temperature of the vehicles battery. How quickly the coolant is used up will vary between each manufacturer.

Pollen Filter

The pollen filter is another part of an EV which will need to be maintain correctly due to it capturing any debris or bacteria, stopping them from entering the vehicle.

What are the benefits of a Guaranteed Maintenance contract?

As the EV market continues to expand, the availability of Guaranteed Maintenance contracts will benefit drivers. Not only will drivers have piece of mind but they can spread the cost, making it more manageable. With the Autoserve Guaranteed Maintenance contract we provide vehicle management, handling all bookings and authorising any work that is needed on the vehicle.

Half of BMW’s Groups Vehicle Deliveries Are Set To Be Fully Electric By 2030

BMW has announced that by 2030, half of it’s groups vehicles will be fully electric. In an effort to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

When did the company start going electric?

For over a decade, BMW has been investing in electric technology. They released the BMW i3 in 2013 and since then they have continued to innovate and develop new electric models, including the BMW iX3, BMW i4 and BMW iNEXT. However, BMW is not stopping there, by 2030 they are aiming to have one fully electric model available in every model series, from BMW 1 series to BMW 7 series.

Are there any others plans to become more sustainable?

As well as making the steps to move to electric vehicle’s, BMW is working on reducing their carbon footprint. Using renewable energy and implementing a circular economy approach which involves reducing waste and recycling materials, creating a closed-loop system.

Will other automakers be moving towards EV?

Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen are also working towards electric vehicles. As more and more of these companies make commitments to reduce their carbon footprint, sustainability is coming into play in all sectors not just the automotive industry as it is a necessity for the future. Which is why the transition into EV is an important step towards climate change.

Overall, BMW is positioning themselves as a key leader in making the steps towards being fully electric. Electrical vehicles will play a key role in making our future more sustainable.

Autoserve’s Garage Network – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/autoserves-garage-network/

Kia Reaches New Sales Milestone in the UK – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/kia-reaches-new-sales-milestone-in-the-uk/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car running smoothly. Call one of our professional Service Advisors on 0121 521 3500 for more details.  After all one call does it all!

All EV May Not Be The Best Move In The Market

Britain alone will need 22 million chargers and 88% of these will be in homes.

Do EV pollute less?

EV do pollute less on car emissions, however, the electricity that fuels them comes from coal fire power stations which isn’t environmentally friendly. An EEA report found that 35-50% of total EV manufacturing emissions arise from electricity consumption in China, which is three times higher than in the United States.

Will jobs be affected with the change to EV?

According to the European car industry federation ACEA, Europe produces 25% of all passenger cars and 19% of commercial vehicles worldwide. Helping the production of companies like VW, BMW and Mercedes, there was a worry that jobs may be affected. However, the shift to electric will be manageable so fewer job losses are expected. On the other hand, the United States are offering green subsides to attract manufacturers. If this happens then large parts of the European car industry will be affected meaning job losses will happen, according to Scottish author Iain Martin.

Are EV going to save you money?

Initially attracting customers for being eco-friendly, the cost of charging them being lower than filling up with petrol as well as being tax free, EV are meant to be the car of our future. However, recent reports from the government have shown that EV will no longer be tax free from April 2025. Furthermore, due to the increase in electricity and energy prices over the past year, the RAC have found that charging an electric vehicle from a family home costs around 70p per kilowatt-hour on a pay as you go basis, which has increased by 50% since May 2022.

Are Fuel Prices Going To Decrease Anymore – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/are-fuel-prices-going-to-decrease-anymore/

How To Maximise Your EV Range – https://autoserve.co.uk/ev-vehicles/how-to-maximise-your-evs-range/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car running smoothly. Call one of our professional Service Advisors on 0121 521 3500 for more details.  After all one call does it all!

How To Maximise Your EV’s Range

Electric car sales have been growing steadily and in September 2022 we saw Britain’s millionth electric car hit the road. 

What is the average range for an electric vehicle?

The average range is 100-250 miles. However, newer models can drive as far as 400 miles on a single charge. Battery level consumption is being improved which will help to increase the average range of an EV. If you are planning a long distance travel EV’s are the best option in making your journey more environmentally friendly and cheaper to run.

10 things you can do to maximise your EV’s range:

  1. Maximize regenerative braking – The electric motor in a regenerative braking system acts as a generator. Enable your cars maximum regenerative setting, sending extra power back to the vehicles battery, typically adding a few extra miles of range.
  2. Drive Smoothly – Sudden acceleration and braking uses more power than a steady speed. So, it is more beneficial to take it easy from a standing start.
  3. Slow down – Keeping your speed under 60 mph will help your battery range. According to the Department of Energy, you’ll use 14% less energy by reducing your speed.
  4. Plan your route – Depending on the terrain that you’re driving on it can impact your EV’s range. Driving uphill uses more power than level ground. Avoid area’s known for heavy traffic. If you have a navigation system in your EV, this will suggest energy-efficient routes.
  5. Keep your tyres inflated – Under-inflated tyres create more resistance meaning the battery will work harder to maintain power. Sources suggest that over 25% of all vehicles have improperly inflated tires.
  6. Remove accessories – Any accessories that are on the car but not being used should be removed, such as cargo carriers and roof racks. By doing this you will reduce drag and save battery power.
  7. Switch off unnecessary features – The battery of EV’s not only powers the car but all of the electric features such as the lights, radio and air conditioning. Switch off any that are not needed at the time of driving.
  8. Time your charge – As soon as your car is charged it is best to remove the charger. EV batteries tend to self-discharge when they’ve finished charging. Timing your charge will also be an advantage to the battery’s long-term health.
  9. Go easy on the heating – Running an EV heater on full blast can drain your EV’s battery life. In the winter it is better to rely more on the heated seats and pre-heat our car while its plugged in. This will mean using the climate control less while driving.
  10. Keep your EV well maintained – Like any car it is always best to keep vehicles well maintained so they perform the best. Regular servicing, keep tyres in good condition and make sure all fluids are filled up.

Drivers Demand More EV Chargers After Three-Hour Waits –https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/drivers-demand-more-ev-chargers-after-three-hour-waits/

Mercedes Will Launch It’s Own EV Charging System – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/mercedes-will-launch-its-own-ev-charging-network/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car running smoothly. Call one of our professional Service Advisors on 0121 521 3500 for more details.  After all one call does it all!

Different Types of Public EV chargers (slow vs rapid)

Slow charging takes several hours. Rapid charging can boost the battery to 80 percent in 30 minutes. 

New research conducted by Zap Map, has shown how many EV drivers opt for at home charging or charging at work. However, now there has been a rise in public networks also providing EV charging. These networks offer both slow and rapid charging points.

The slowest way to charge your EV.

According to new research from the AA’s monthly EV recharge report it has found that the cheapest possible option for EV owners is domestic charging. However, slow chargers have found to be more expensive due to electric vehicle owners paying more for their energy than using a fast charger.

Notably the report has highlighted, slow charging providers offer a subscription service which unlocks lower rates than the average fast charging price. EV manufacturers are claiming that slow charging is better for the battery life.

In addition, typically operating between 2.3 kW and 2.5 kW, slow chargers are commonly used at home but can be found in workplaces due to the long charging times of up to 14 hours. Providing maximum battery life, electric 2W owners can take the chargers to their workplaces minimizing confusion between the charging connectors. Not only is this safer for the vehicle but also cheaper for the owner.

No time to waste?

Research shown on Zap Map has identified that depending on the model of your EV, they can now be charged up to 80% in 10 – 15 minutes, even though an average EV would take around an hour on a standard 50 kW rapid charging point.

There are two types of public rapid chargers, AC and DC. Ultra-rapid DC chargers provide power up to 100 kW to 350 kW, keeping charging times down to as little as 20 – 30 minutes. On the other hand, using an AC charger can charge your car to 80% in 20 – 40 minutes, providing power at 43 kW.

Nevertheless, these rapid chargers are free to use, with over 283 available to use around the country. Whereas slow chargers are now on street and do come with a cost explaining why there are only 10.2% available to use, free of charge.

Nearly A Third Of Fleets Are Behind On EV Targets – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/nearly-a-third-of-fleets-are-behind-on-ev-targets/

The UK’s Rapid Charger Network Grew By Nearly 80% In 2022 – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/the-uks-rapid-charger-network-grew-by-nearly-80-in-2022/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car running smoothly. Call one of our professional Service Advisors om 0121 521 3500 for more details.  After all one call does it all.