Electric car battery guide.

An electric car battery is the heart of an electric vehicle (EV). It stores and releases the energy needed to power an electric car and get you from A to B.

Most electric cars use lithium-ion batteries. That’s the same kind of tech you have in your mobile phone, tablet or laptop, but on a much larger scale.

Electric car batteries have improved a lot in recent years. They're more efficient, longer-lasting and more sustainable than they once were. And they could become greener still as car manufacturers invest in more sustainable EV battery production.

Just like your phone, an electric car battery needs to be charged when it’s running low to keep your car going. To charge your battery, you need to plug your car into an electrical outlet designed for EVs. You can use a public charging point or one installed at home.

Charging times can vary depending on the size of the battery and the type of charger you use. Home chargers can take several hours to complete a full charge, while public charging points can charge your battery up to 80% in under an hour if they support rapid charging.

Again, this is similar to your mobile phone. Newer phones can support fast charging if used with a higher-powered charger, meaning you can charge an iPhone 8 or later up to 50% in half an hour.

If you’re planning to install a charging point at home, the initial outlay can be quite expensive. It can be close to £1,000. And it’s worth checking that it’ll be covered by your car or home insurance in case something goes wrong.

Charging your car at home is usually the easiest and cheapest way to charge your car in the long run. But it’s also the slowest method of charging.

Tesco electric car insurance provides cover for your cables if you charge at home, in case they’re accidentally damaged. And we also provide liability cover in case someone trips over them outside your home.

Charging points are more widely available than they once were. You can find them at train stations, motorway services, supermarkets and your local library or community centre. But they’re not necessarily free to use, so it’s always best to check and find what works for you.

You might also have electrical charging points in the car park where you work. And these are often free for staff to use. So, you can commute to work by car and charge it in time for the drive back home.

At Tesco Insurance, we like to do our bit for the planet. And we know our customers do too.

That’s why we’ve got a little help for the eco-friendly driver. We’ve partnered with Pod Point, so you can charge your car at Tesco while you’re doing the weekly shop. And, what’s more, you’ll collect Clubcard points for whatever you spend on charging!

The number of miles you can drive your car before it runs out of charge is known as the range. The range for an electric car usually depends on the make and model, and, as with phones and laptops, the capacity of the EV battery itself.

If you’re in the market for an electric car, it’s a good idea to shop around, compare the range on different cars and find something that suits your needs. For example, if you mostly drive around town or need to travel longer distances on a single charge.

An electric car battery can be expected to last up to 20 years, in some cases. But the warranty usually covers you for around 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Like your mobile phone, how long your EV battery lasts depends on a number of things, including the way you charge it.

An EV battery should last a long time, so you might not need to replace it at all. Just like upgrading your phone every few years, you might just switch to a new car and get a new battery with it. And the manufacturer’s warranty should cover you for a good 10 years anyway.

The replacement cost of an EV battery could run into thousands of pounds right now. But they are becoming more affordable.

As with all batteries, an electric car battery can be hazardous and should be disposed of properly if being replaced. To guard against some of the risks with your battery, electric car insurance can help.

With our comprehensive car cover, we’ll cover your electric car battery for fire, theft and accidental damage.

Tesco electric car insurance includes cover for electric and hybrid cars as standard. It comes with all levels of our comprehensive cover - whether you go for Bronze, Silver or Gold.

Tesco Car Insurance is arranged and administered by Tesco Insurance and is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.

You’ll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.