BMW Electric at Halliwell Jones

A purely electric vehicle drives exclusively with electricity. It therefore has no combustion engine to power the vehicle. The electricity is stored in a battery. Its capacity determines the range of the e-car, in other words the distance that can be covered with one battery charge.

Purely electric cars are ideal for users who can charge their car at work or at home. At the same time, the public charging infrastructure is constantly growing, new charging stations are therefore appearing in urban areas and along motorways. This also includes an increasing number of high-power charging stations for ultra-fast charging while travelling, e.g. with our partner IONITY in the UK. In the future, long-distance journeys will become easier and easier as a result.

The respective range of an electric vehicle depends on various factors such as driving style, route conditions, vehicle equipment, weather conditions and payload.

An electric car offers an entirely new, emotionally charged driving sensation. Thanks to the torque available from a stand-still, you experience fascinating electric dynamics and spontaneous acceleration. At the same time, the almost silent electric engine gives you a new and relaxed driving experience.

When actually driving, an electric vehicle is also emission-free (the term also used is “locally”).

A significant external factor that influences the performance and capacity of a battery is the temperature. You may have noticed the same thing with your mobile phone battery. Very cold temperatures can limit battery performance in particular. It is similar with your electric vehicle. However, our optimised performance strategies reduces the effect that temperature can have.

And did you know that the capacity of the battery also provides information about your remaining range? In addition to temperature, the range is influenced by other factors that affect how fast energy is consumed, such as the use of air conditioning, the current load, and your driving style.

If you ever need to recharge while away from home, your BMW electric vehicle will be preconditioned for the DC charging point* at your destination, which means the high-voltage battery is brought to the optimum operating temperature by the time you get there. This increases the maximum power while charging and reduces the amount of time you need.

* Only relevant for BMW electric vehicles.

If you don’t plan to use your vehicle for a longer period of time, such as during a holiday, there are various ways to positively effect the lifespan of your battery. Whenever possible, maintain a charge of between 30 and 50 per cent and park your vehicle in a cool place or in the shade during summer months and keep it in a garage in the winter. In addition, the vehicle should not be left plugged in for charging when stationary for longer periods of time.

As is the case for a vehicle with a conventional combustion system, driving style also affects the range of an electric car. As a general rule, an anticipatory, relaxed and consistent driving style optimises your range. If, for example, you reduce your speed on the motorway, you can noticeably increase your range as a result. During recuperation, that means whenever you lift your foot from the accelerator pedal, kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy and fed into the battery – and you gain further miles in range.

A plug-in hybrid electric car (PHEV) combines a combustion engine, an electric motor, and a high-voltage battery – giving you the best of both worlds. These two systems work in harmony to deliver additional performance and more powerful acceleration.

A plug-in hybrid can be charged at a power socket, home charger, or public charging station. Plug-in hybrids are at their most efficient with a well-charged battery, and so you should ideally make sure that you have access to a charger at home or at other destinations you visit frequently, such as at your place of work.

With a full battery, the purely electric range can be up to 68 miles[1] with the BMW X5 xDrive50e or up to 63 miles[1] with the BMW 530e saloon. During recuperation, or regenerative braking – for example, whenever you take your foot off the accelerator – kinetic energy is converted into electricity and is stored in the battery, extending your electric range.

BMW wants to give customers a choice by being open to technology. BMW therefore offers a wide range of plug-in hybrid cars to enable customers to consciously opt for this extremely efficient drive system.

A plug-in hybrid electric car (PHEV) has both a combustion engine and an electric motor. Plug-in hybrid cars are driven by an electric motor. Their high-voltage battery is charged via an external power source, for example a public charging station or via a home charger at home - they do not self-charge. When the high-voltage battery is empty, the car switches automatically to its combustion engine, which then powers the car.

One of the benefits of a plug-in hybrid is that you can drive fully electrically, quietly, and emission-free when driving. Significantly lower your fuel consumption by regularly charging with electricity.

A plug-in hybrid electric car (PHEV) is worthwhile if you actually use its electric drive, which then allows you to drive emission-free. With their high proportion of electric driving, plug-in hybrids are significantly more environmentally friendly than pure diesel or petrol cars. The battery is constantly recharged to some extent through recuperation (brake energy regeneration). You therefore need to charge a plug-in hybrid car regularly to use its electric drive as often as possible. If you are the sort of person who tends to worry about your range when travelling, you'll feel much more relaxed with a hybrid and can use its combustion engine for longer journeys.

If you don't charge your plug-in hybrid, you can use the car as you would a traditional fuel-powered vehicle. The electric motor only acts as an additional power source when required and charged.

This depends on your lifestyle - a hybrid car uses fuel and electric power at the same time, and the battery is recharged via regenerative braking. A plug-in hybrid car drives independently on electric power, and requires charging.

A plug-in hybrid car is ideal for drivers looking for maximum versatility. On the one hand, it has an electric drive for everyday driving, such as cost-effective and sustainable commuting to work. An all-electric drive is ideal for regular medium-length commutes. On the other hand, these cars offer long range and flexibility for long distances, such as weekend trips.

Driving in a plug-in hybrid vehicle is more environmentally friendly than conventional petrol and diesel cars. They cover short distances purely on electricity, with no emissions when driving on shorter trips or around town.

Business users benefit from the lower Benefit in Kind Tax (BIK) for all electric and efficient plug-in hybrid vehicles in the UK.

Plug-in hybrids are not exempt from the Congestion Charge.