At Team Arbury, we’re here to help you find a vehicle that’s the perfect fit for your lifestyle, tastes and budget. As a starting point, here are four questions you need to ask yourself to help inform your car search. And, as always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local dealership!

1.     What type of electric vehicle am I looking for?

When you first start your electric-vehicle search, it can be easy to get lost in the different models and acronyms, like EV and MHEV. Essentially, ‘electric’ is an umbrella term for vehicles that are powered by electricity of some description, and they come in four different types:

·       Electric (Also known as EV, battery electric vehicle/BEV, 100% electric)

Electric vehicles are operated by a battery and have no internal combustion engine, exhaust, clutch or gears. They’re easy to power up – simply recharge them either at home or at public charging points.

·       Hybrid (Also known as HEV, self-charging hybrid or full hybrid)

Along with a traditional petrol or diesel engine, hybrid cars also have an electric motor powered by a small battery that can help with acceleration or even driving the car at low speeds. The battery is charged by recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted – no plugging-in required!

·       Mild hybrid (MHEV)

A mild hybrid car works in a very similar way to a self-charging hybrid, but it has a smaller battery. A mild hybrid cannot drive on battery power alone – instead, the petrol or diesel engine does the majority of the work, and the electric motor is there to help.

·       Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

PHEVs work on the same principle as HEVs – a petrol engine that works with an electric motor and a battery. However, the battery is much larger than in a self-charging hybrid and can drive the car for certain distances, meaning you’ll need to plug these in to charge them.

2.     What range do I need?

When choosing an electric vehicle, it’s helpful to consider your driving habits and how far you typically drive each month. For example, electric cars are ideal for city commuters and urban businesses, while hybrids are best if you’re likely to be doing longer journeys a few times a week.

If you’re thinking of going for a full electric but are worried about the range, fear not! Modern releases have impressive range capabilities – for example, the PEUGEOT e-208 offers up to 225 miles of range, making those road trips a breeze!

3.     What’s my budget?

As well as their green credentials, EVs are also a savvy investment as they’re generally cheaper to run. That said, they can be more expensive to purchase than petrol or diesel models. The good news is that there are now more used electric vehicles available.

Check out our quality Approved Used electric models at Arbury, which give you a fantastic choice at even better value, plus tailored finance packages.

Also, if you’re looking to buy an electric van, the government is still running its plug-in grant for certain models.


4. Can I lease an electric vehicle on the Motability Scheme?

Yes – electric and hybrid vehicles can make brilliant Motability cars, with the all-electric range giving you miles of freedom to cover daily errands and explore further afield. Plus, some drivers enjoy the convenience of not having a clutch.

There are many electric cars on the Scheme that don’t need an Advance Payment – you’ll just pay all of your mobility allowance. What’s more, for your first EV, the Scheme will cover the cost of your home charge-point. They’ll also pay for your installation – as long as it’s next to your home and your electric set-up is suitable. Pop in and talk to your Arbury Motability specialist to find out more.

 An electric future with Arbury

At Team Arbury, we’re proud to represent a variety of popular manufacturers, with a huge choice of electric and hybrid vehicles to help our customers stay ahead of the curve. View our range of electric PEUGEOT, SEAT, Nissan, Škoda, Fiat, Citroën and Abarth models today.

From the city-slick Fiat 500e and family-friendly Citroën Ë-C4 to the PEUGEOT e-Boxer van, we’re sure to have the perfect vehicle for you. Our knowledgeable team can also talk you through the benefits of each model, as well as discussing charging, electricity tariffs and how Clean Air Zones work. Get in touch today!