Drive Electric – The Future of Electric Motoring

At Drive, we understand that the decision to switch to an electric car or van can be a difficult one. With larger upfront investments and new battery technology, not everybody is sure whether now is the right time to make the switch.

We want to help customers better understand the options available when it comes to electric cars and work collaboratively with them to address any concerns, explore the model options available and fully understand what’s what when it comes to charging, range and running costs.

That’s why we have electric specialists across all our sites and have aimed to make our website as informative as possible, so you can be sure when you make the decision to switch from a petrol/diesel car to electric, you won’t look back!

View our brand specific electric vehicles

Select one of our brands for specific offer terms.

Charging

There are 3 ways to charge electric cars, depending on the vehicle and time available. At home, at work or using a public charging point.

View Electric Charging Points

Cost

Electric cars come with a range of cost savings, including up to 30% lower running costs, less maintenance and government grants and incentives.

View Electric Charging Calculator

Electric, hybrid, BEV, PHEV – what does it all mean?

As if it wasn’t complicated enough figuring out if you’re ready to make the switch to electric without it sounding like a foreign language. Our handy guide to what’s what in the world of electric vehicles will help you know exactly what you’re looking for.

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) – A BEV is a fully-electric vehicle that runs off battery power alone. They can usually be charged using a fast charger and a rapid charger and have zero emissions.

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) – A plug-in hybrid has a small amount of electric power, but also has the ability to run off standard petrol. The electric range is normally much lower than that of a BEV, but offers the flexibility to switch between driving modes depending on the journey.

I don’t have off street parking, how can I charge my car?

If you don’t have off-street parking, charging can be a bit of a challenge. But the public charging network is growing every day. And local authorities can help make life easier, too. They can apply for funding to create or add charging points in their area. Check what plans your local authority has. Or search ‘On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme’.

For more information on charging please visit our EV charging page.

How much does it cost to charge?

Charging costs vary. Depending on battery size, where you charge and when. At home, the average overnight electricity rate is 12p per kWh based on the Octopus Energy (Go Overnight Tarriff). So a full charge would be around £7 (for a 54kW Car). But you need to check your supplier and their tariffs.

For more information on costs please visit our EV running costs page.