Volkswagen Electric Vehicle Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – and this award-winning SUV offers a range of up to 328 miles. ​

It varies from vehicle to vehicle, but compared to a combustion-engined or hybrid equivalent, an electric car is considerably less expensive to run and maintain.

Yes. There are several options, including the Golf, Passat, Arteon, Tiguan and Touareg – all available at Des Winks.​

As things stand, there is no clear answer to this. Presently, aspects of a car’s lithium-ion battery can be recycled, such as cobalt, lithium salts, stainless steel and plastic but there’s no unified recycling policy. However, as electric vehicles continue to grow in popularity, it’s anticipated that manufacturers will arrive at a common recycling solution.​

Volkswagen has pledged to produce electric-only cars in Europe from 2033 – and the aim is to go entirely electric worldwide as quickly as possible thereafter.​

It depends on the vehicle and its battery capacity. Let’s take the Volkswagen ID.3 as an example. As of February 2023, it costs about £15 to fully charge (zero to 100 per cent) this car at home.​

It depends on your motoring requirements. For instance, if you typically do most of your driving in and around a city or town, a smaller capacity battery will suffice. However, if you frequently travel far and wide, a high-capacity battery is the best option as it will offer greater range. If you’re unsure about this, please don’t hesitate to contact the Des Winks team.​

This will depend on the vehicle in question. That said, electric cars are much more affordable to run and maintain than those that have a combustion-engined or hybrid powertrain.​

Other than the drivetrain, which is easier and more affordable to maintain, there’s little difference.​

Yes. All motor cars need to be serviced. However, since an electric drivetrain is made up of fewer working parts than a combustion engine, it’s typically cheaper to maintain.

Ultimately, it’s down to you to make this decision, based on your motoring habits and budget. Of course, the Des Winks team is more than happy to help you come to a decision, whether you require advice or the opportunity to test drive an electric vehicle that interests you.

It depends on the vehicle and its battery capacity. Let’s take the Volkswagen ID.3 as an example. As of February 2023, it costs about £15 to fully charge (zero to 100 per cent) this car at home.​

You can do so at home via a standard three-pin power source or a dedicated fast-charging wallbox. When you’re out and about, there are plenty of public-charging options because there are more than 22,300 charging locations across the UK.​

Absolutely, and though there is a cost associated with the device itself and its installation, it will provide you with faster charging (7 kW) than a standard three-pin (3 kW) power supply. You may also be able to take advantage of offers or incentives to offset part of the cost. ​

It’s best not to, particularly not for an extended period of time because this can lead to increased wear and tear on battery cells.​

An electric vehicle comes with its own charging cable which can be attached to a three-pin socket, a dedicated home charger or a public charging point. On the other hand, rapid-charging public connectors are fitted with their own, tethered cables.

A three-pin power source is the slowest option while a dedicated domestic wallbox is a quicker charging solution. As well as offering rapid charging capability, public access points feature fast-charging connectors.