The Home Energy Revolution ~ Answers to your Questions
Electric Car Home explains why people are buying electric vehicles in 2024 and what other technologies complement them. You’ll learn about the cars themselves, charging points, solar panels, battery storage and electricity tariffs. Jump to highlighted sections below or use the navigation bar above to find what you need.
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Electric Cars – The Big Picture
Buying your first electric vehicle (EV) is a big step. You’re not sure if you’re doing the right thing. How will your life change?
This website has been written from scratch to answer all your questions. We provide electric car news, advice, and guidance for every step of your EV journey. We explain in simple terms how your electric car fits into the bigger renewable energy picture.
To get a quick overview of the four main technologies – electric cars, charging points, solar panels, and battery storage – read the Technology Overview section below.
Then click through to dedicated topic pages for in-depth analyses, buying guides, installer pitfalls, car reviews, etc.
Technology Overview
Electric Cars
The move to electric cars, also known as EVs or electric vehicles, is happening much more quickly than people anticipated. They are cheap to run, don’t pollute the environment, and are very reliable – they are also exciting to drive!
There are over 100 models to choose from – now is the time to switch to electric motoring.
Charging Points
Once you have an electric car, you will want a charging point at home. This allows you to charge your car’s battery overnight, so it’s fully charged in the morning.
The average petrol/diesel motorist pays about 20p per mile for fuel. In an EV, it’s about 10p per mile if you charge at home – or as low as 3p per mile on an off-peak tariff.
Solar Panels
Charging your car at home will mean higher electricity bills. The solution is to invest in solar panels, sometimes referred to as solar PV, which generate electricity from a free and limitless energy source: the sun.
This solar electricity can then charge your electric car when the sun is out, as well as provide electricity for other devices in your home.
Battery Storage
On a sunny day, if you drive your electric car to work, or go out to the shops, your solar panel system will probably generate more electricity than your house needs.
To capture this surplus solar electricity, you need battery storage. You can then draw on this stored energy in the evenings, either to charge your car or power your home.
An Electric Car Home – Before and After
Before Electric Cars
How life was in the bad old days of the internal combustion engine:
- You spent £100s each month on petrol or diesel
- Your car had 1,000s of parts and was expensive to service
- Your exhaust fumes polluted the air
- The fuel your car burnt contributed to global warming
- Your car and home were completely separate environments
Life with an Electric Car
How life can be with clean, green, modern, electric vehicles:
- Electricity bills of £10s each month to charge your car
- A car with about 200 parts – much less to go wrong
- Zero pollution from the exhaust
- Charge with renewable energy – no contribution to global warming
- You, your car, and your home are intimately connected
