Electric FAQs
Electric & Hybrid Vehicles at Sturgess Motor Group
Fully electric cars may be the final step in low-emissions transport, but in 2019 hybrid cars are proving an increasingly popular halfway house. Dual-energy vehicles is growing in popularity and can be a clever way to bridge the gap between internal combustion engines and fully electric cars. If you're not quite ready to take the plunge and run an electric vehicle (EV), then the chances are a hybrid or plug-in car could be just the stepping stone you need.
Why? Because a hybrid car is an electric car, of sorts - just one that relies on an additional petrol or diesel engine to do some or most of the propulsion. As such, you'll always have a get-you-home mode that sidesteps the range anxiety and high purchase price of a pure EV, yet may still qualify for cheaper company car tax, annual VED bills, ultra-low emissions zone (LEZ) charges and Congestion Charge tolls - especially if you live in London, where these charges are being pioneered.
At Sturgess Motor Group our range of electric and Hybrid vehicles are growing. We currently have a range of models from our represented brands.
View our electric vehiclesElectric & Hybrid FAQs at Sturgess Motor Group
What is a Hybrid?
A hybrid car uses two power trains - a petrol engine that works in tandem with a battery-powered electric motor. A hybrid vehicle is also known as a PHEV (Petrol Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
What is a Plug-in Hybrid?
A plug-in hybrid vehicle works in the same way as a conventional hybrid but can offer even lower emissions by greater reliance upon an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery, the power of which can be restored through an electric outlet.
Plug-ins also allow the car to run on electric power alone for longer periods.
What is the range of a PHEV/ Hybrid Vehicle?
A) Using the electric motor only, PHEV has a range of up to 30 miles. PHEV also utilises an Ingenium petrol engine to support a much larger range, in the same way as other combustion engine vehicles.
How often do hybrid batteries need replacing?
This is something that is still unclear however most hybrid batteries last for the lifetime of the car!
Can the hybrid battery be recycled?
Yes, your local authorised service centre will remove and recycle your battery safely, in the case of a new one being needed.
What happens if my battery runs out of charge?
Batteries on hybrid cars don't run out of charge, as they are charged by the excess energy your car generates. In addition, the system will introduce the petrol engine should you require more power than is available through the electric motor alone, or if the battery charge drops to an insufficient level to maintain progress
Is it expensive to service a hybrid?
Service and maintenance costs are generally the same as you'd find with a conventional vehicle. You may even find that your service costs are cheaper, as hybrid cars put less strain on their traditional engines, requiring less maintenance to be carried out.
Can a hybrid continue to run on electric power when it runs out of fuel?
No. Hybrid cars can run in full electric mode, but they require fuel to do so. Driving without fuel may cause severe damage to the system.
Do I need to plug a hybrid in?
No, pure hybrids do not need plugging in. This is only needed for a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Are hybrid vehicles safe?
Hybrid vehicles provide all the same safety features included with combustion cars, such as Automatic Breaking System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Circuit breakers are fitted to cut the electrical current if the system is impacted during an accident.
What hybrid models are available?
Sturgess offer a variety of models from their brands.
Will my car be affected during a power cut?
No, your hybrid car runs on its own source of electricity from the battery.
Are hybrids difficult to drive?
All hybrids are automatic and smoothly transition from petrol power to electric intuitively without driver input, creating an enjoyable driving experience.
Can I drive a hybrid with a pacemaker?
Yes - studies conclusively show that it is fine for drivers with pacemakers to drive hybrid vehicles.
What does KWH Mean?
Kilowatt-hours is a measure of how much energy can be stored in a battery. For a given vehicle, a battery with greater capacity - more kWh - will have greater range and/or performance. For a given capacity, actual range will vary depending on driving style and environmental conditions.
What is regenerative braking?
Electric motors consume energy to provide motion. When this motion is no longer required, for example when the vehicle is slowing, the braking force can be harnessed to reverse the action of the motor and generate electricity. The electricity generated can be fed back to the battery, extending the vehicle's range.
Can I use an electric vehicle in a car wash?
Yes. Electric vehicles are designed and tested to the same standards as conventional combustion engine vehicles.