ELECTRIC FAQ’S

What‘s the difference between an all-electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid?

There are tons of options for electrified vehicles on the market, and it can be hard to know which is which. In short, an electric car is 100% battery operated and has to be charged using external electric charging points. On the other hand, a plug-in hybrid vehicle has a combustion engine that works in tandem with an electric motor. This battery is also charged through an external source, as well as internal methods like regenerative braking to stay topped up. A mild hybrid electric vehicle doesn’t need charging externally at all, and the electric motor simply gives the petrol or diesel engine a boost.

Find out more here: https://www.jeep.co.uk/4xe-hybrid

Will I ever have to replace the battery in my electric vehicle?

Electric vehicle batteries may lose some performance over time, but they are built to be more hard-working than batteries found on household electrical items, so they should last for the life of the vehicle.

We guarantee that 70% of the battery’s capacity is good for 100,000 miles, or eight years.

Does the battery in my electric vehicle need much maintenance?

No, it’s maintenance-free. You don’t have to add fuel, oil or water to keep it running, just charge it when you need to. Check out our Maintenance page for more details.

The electronics work for you to make sure that the cells are kept at the optimum temperature in extreme weather or while rapid charging. This also helps you charge at the fastest possible rate and maintain the health of your battery.

Is it okay to drive my electric car in heavy rain, or take it through a car wash?

This is a popular question. All-electric vehicles are just as hardy as traditionally powered ones, so it’s totally safe to use it in the same conditions you would any other car. Electric vehicles have been tested in heavy rain, standing water, lightning storms – you name it. They’re ready for anything, just like you are.

Does it cost more to service an electric vehicle?

Actually, it’s the opposite. Electric vehicles are cheaper to service in the long run. Whatever model you go for, your all-electric vehicle has simpler technology and fewer moving parts than one with a petrol or diesel engine. That means no exhausts, no fuel delivery systems, no oil filters, and no gears or clutches to replace or maintain. So, fewer things to go wrong means lower servicing costs!

What should I do if I run out of charge while I’m driving?

Trust us, you’re not the first to experience ‘range anxiety’. Lots of first time electric car owners worry their car might simply stop mid-drive, but that’s very unlikely. If you’re driving a hybrid, the vehicle will simply switch to petrol power once the battery has run out. However, in an all-electric vehicle, you’ll get the same warnings as you would if your petrol or diesel engine was getting low on fuel – and you’ve never let it just run dry, have you?

There are also tons of tools to help you plan your journeys around electric charging points, like the Octopus Energy Electroverse map. And, if you do run out of charge for some reason, contact your roadside assistance partner to help move your vehicle to a place where you can re-charge it.

Will my home electricity bill shoot up if I get an electric vehicle?

The short answer: yes, but that cost will be offset by savings on petrol/diesel. The long answer: many electric vehicle have a home wallbox installed, and this usually pushed their monthly bills up a bit. However, you won’t be paying for any other kind of fuel, so the savings almost always outweigh the costs. Plus, most electricity providers have dedicated electric vehicle tariffs, which give you a cheaper rate when you charge at off-peak times, like overnight.

How and where do I charge my car in public?

You can check out the available charging points using the Electroverse Map

How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?

It’ll depend on the type of charging point you use. If you charge up at home using a standard 7.4kW wallbox, it’ll take around 7 hours 58 minutes to charge the Jeep Avenger to 100%.

However, if you charge up in public at a rapid charging point using a 100kw charger, the time comes right down – 24 minutes to get from 20% to 80% charge.

What does it cost to charge an electric vehicle?

The cost of charging your electric vehicle will depend on where you charge it.

When you’re at home, using the average electricity price across the UK (£0.34 per kWh), it would cost £17.00 for a full charge on a Jeep® Avenger, however many energy suppliers offer specific tariffs to allow EV drivers to charge overnight at much reduced rates.
You can find Octopus Solutions here.

Charging at home will be cheaper than charging in public, but naturally on longer trips, you may need to use a public charger. Although charging in public is generally more expensive than charging at home, it’s still cheaper than the cost of petrol or diesel. Charging a Jeep Avenger from 20% to 80% on an average rapid charger (£0.73 per kWh) costs £21.90.

What about road tax for an electric vehicle?

Electric vehicles are exempt from road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty). It’s another good reason to switch to electric.

What happens to an electric vehicle battery when it’s no longer usable?

Electric vehicle batteries are expensive and contain precious metals, so it’s unlikely they’ll be disposed of as they’re too useful to waste. When an electric vehicle gets near the end of its life, the battery will probably be removed and used for energy storage in homes or businesses.

Cells which can’t be reused will be recycled to retrieve the precious metals, which then go into new batteries.

Will I have to install the home charging wallbox myself?

No, it’ll be done by a qualified engineer. You may need to complete a pre-installation survey before the engineer comes to you, but this shouldn’t take long – it simply tells the installer where the wallbox will need to be positioned.

Do I need any extra cables to charge my electric vehicle?

No, not at all. Your electric vehicle has a standard charging cable, which plugs into your home wallbox and standard public charging points. And for rapid public charge-points, the cable is attached to the charging unit, so you don’t need a cable in your car for that.

For your home wallbox, you can choose a unit with a cable attached to it, or not. Electric vehicle drivers usually opt for cable attached as it means you don’t have to go into your car to get the cable. But if you pick a unit with no cable attached to the wallbox, the cable supplied with your vehicle is all you need.

Does my battery’s capacity decrease if I don’t drive my electric vehicle frequently?

No, electric vehicles handle immobility well so you don’t need to worry about leaving them for a while. However, before leaving the vehicle for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to charge your battery no more than 50%.

Can I overcharge my battery?

No. Once your vehicle reaches 100% charge, it will stop charging.

How can I stop someone stealing my charging cable when I’m using it in public?

When you lock your vehicle, neither you (or anybody else) can release the cable. This is a standard security feature.

What does regenerative braking do?

When you drive in B-mode, the regenerative braking system returns most of the energy from braking back to your battery. This is smart because it gives you extra power to go further.

Do things like air conditioning or heating drain the battery?

Yes, they will gradually drain your power, but not by much, so you can relax.

You can see how these factors influence your range here.

What do I need to charge at Home?

While it is possible to plug in to a domestic 3-pin socket, this method is not recommended as it may overload your home's wiring (it also requires an accessory Standard Mode 2 charging cable). The safest and most economical way to charge your electric vehicle is by plugging into a professionally installed wallbox charger, using the Single-Phase Mode 3 charging cable supplied with your electric Jeep®. A wallbox charges at 7.4kWh – three times the speed of a domestic power socket. The costs to recharge at home vary depending on the energy provider, allowing you to shop around, and invariably making it cheaper than using public charging points where rates are fixed. Octopus Energy will install an Ohme home or workplace wallbox.

Can I use the Jeep® Avenger for towing?

Unfortunately, the full-electric Jeep® Avenger is not approved for towing.