Charging is one of the key aspects of the electric vehicle experience that people think about. After all, without any charge you’re not going anywhere quickly and though the electric vehicles on sale here at My Electric Lease offer long ranges, you’re still going to have to charge all of them up at some point.

Having a home charger is one of the easiest ways to charge up and an EV, but it isn’t an option for everyone. Here, we’re going to take a look at some of the alternative ways to charge up your EV and how to keep things as low-cost as possible, too.

On-street parking

Many people leave their cars on the street during the night and while charging here can be a little trickier, there are options. Many cities and towns are beginning to roll out pavement and street lamp charging units, which allow you to charge your car overnight easily. These are often more affordable to use than rapid units, too, making charging as a whole cheaper.

Some councils are also approving the use of ‘gully’ chargers. These provide a covered gully across a pavement, within which you can place a charging cable leading from the car to your home. You’ll need to speak with your local council to approve the installation (in most instances) but this could be a great option if you’re in a terraced house. With this way of charging, you’ll also be able to access the super-low rates of electricity offered by EV-friendly energy tariffs.

Public charging

Public charging is what you’ll have to use most of all if you’ve not got a reliable home charging option. The charging network in the UK has expanded massively over recent years and now, there are plenty of options dotted throughout the country. Apps such as Zap-Map allow you to easily see where your closest charger is, as well as its cost and speed.

Public chargers are rated according to speed. Some of the quickest ones offer speeds of over 350kW, which can charge a car capable of accepting that rate from 10 to 80 per cent in around 15 minutes. However, these are often more expensive - so it depends on whether you need speed or value.

Apps and subscriptions

Apps are a great way of getting a better price for your charging. Most charger operators have their own smartphone app and you can use these to better understand the charger speed, as well as the price.

Many providers also offer subscriptions. With these, you’ll pay a small monthly fee and, because of that, gain access to lower-cost charging. If there’s a certain provider which operates most of the charging units near your home - or wherever you’re driving most frequently - this could be a good option.

Off-peak charge times

Lately, many electric car charging providers have started offering lower-cost charging during off-peak times, such as late at night. This hasn’t been restricted to slower chargers, either, but also rapid ones which can charge an EV in no time at all.

Take a look at a charging provider's website or app to find out if they’re offering off-peak charging - it could make topping up your EV more cost-effective.

Maybe a hybrid is better for you instead?

However, if your local EV charger provision is limited - or if you’re not able to access lower rates of charge - then a hybrid could be a good stepping stone. Some of the latest plug-in hybrids available here at My Electric Lease can travel good distances on electric-only power, too, helping to bridge the gap between a combustion engine and battery-powered car.

If you’re unsure of what type of car could work for you, then speak to a member of the My Electric Lease team today and they’ll be happy to explain all of your options.