Vauxhall electric cars Northern Ireland

There has never been a better time to make the switch to Electric

Most first-timers find driving an electric vehicle a really pleasant surprise. They often talk about the simple controls, powerful acceleration, better traction, and how quiet it is.

Most of the controls are familiar too, which makes things easy. There’s no clutch pedal or gearstick because all electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are automatic. So just press the start button, select ‘D’ for drive, release the parking brake and you’re off.

As a new electric driver, you’ll probably notice how fast it can accelerate. An electric motor delivers all of its power as soon as you press the accelerator pedal. So it feels faster than many sports cars up to 30mph. Corsa Electric, for example, glides from 0-60 mph in just 7.6 seconds and achieves an instant 260Nm of torque. It feels effortless.

A pure electric vehicle has no gears, so acceleration is seamless and there’s no engine noise. Finally, you’ll love how the vehicle holds the road. The heaviest part of the car (the battery pack) is under the floor, giving you far more control and stability on corners. Gripping stuff.

Are electric vehicles reliable?

Absolutely. One reason is they have fewer moving parts than vehicles with conventional engines. There are no exhausts, fuel delivery systems, oil filters, clutches or gears to replace or maintain. And the electric motors don't need much maintenance and are manufactured to last the lifetime of the vehicle - or sometimes even longer. Other than the electrical system, most other parts in Vauxhall electric vehicles are used in other models across the range, meaning they have proven to be reliable already. Our electric vehicles also conform to the same strict testing regulations as other Vauxhall models - so you can enjoy reliable driving for years to come.

What about road tax for an electric vehicle?

Electric vehicles are exempt from road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty). It's another good reason to switch to electric.

How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?

It'll depend on the type of charging point you use. If you charge up at home using a standard 7.4kW wallbox, it'll take around 7 hrs. 30 mins to charge a Corsa Electric to 100%.
However, if you charge up in public at a rapid charging point, the time comes right down - only 30 minutes to get to 80% charge.

Do I need any extra cables to charge my electric Vehicle?

No, not at all. Your electric vehicle has a standard charging cable, which plugs into your home wallbox and standard public charging charge-points. And for rapid public charge-points, the cable is attached to the charging unit - so you don't need a cable in your car for that.
For your home wallbox, you can choose a unit with a cable attached to it, or not. Electric vehicle drivers usually opt for cable attached - it means you don't have to go into your car to get the cable. But if you pick a unit with no cable attached to the wallbox, the cable supplied with your vehicle is all you need.

Can I overcharge my battery?

No. Once your vehicle reaches 100% charge, it'll stop charging.

What does regenerative braking do?

When you drive in B-mode, the regenerative braking system returns most of the energy from braking back to your battery. This is smart because it gives you extra power to go further.