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It is currently predicted that an electric car battery will have an average lifespan of 10-20 years[*] before a replacement is needed. This gives you plenty of peace of mind that your battery will keep running with no real need to replace it.

Source: Electric Car Battery Life, Cost of Replacement, Recycling & Leasing | EDF (edfenergy.com)

Electric cars work unlike traditional combustion engines which generate energy from burning petrol or diesel fuel.

Electric vehicles are powered by electric motors, which are themselves powered by a traction battery pack.

A controller managers speed and the amount of power sent to the motor, which in turn powers the wheels, controlling speed as you use the accelerator.

The battery is recharged by plugging in, or through energy generated whilst driving, depending on whether the vehicle is fully electric or hybrid.

Ultimately, the time taken to recharge an electric vehicle depends on the capacity of the charger. Many electric cars can be charged from a standard home socket, however this can be slow.

It’s often recommended to use a specific EV charging point for a faster charge. For home charging a 7kW charger is a good option, as it can charge a 30kw battery in around 3-5 hours.
On the road, there are many EV charging points which many drivers use to top up their battery charge on-the-go.

These include:
Rapid chargers (>50kw) – offering around 80% charge in up to 30 mins for compatible electric vehicles. The charging cable is tethered to the charger, and these can be found in many service stations.

Fast chargers (7kw to 22kw) – these will charge compatible electric vehicles in around 1-5 hours, depending on the battery size and charger. Also known as ‘destination chargers’, they are often found in car parks, shopping centres, and at tourist attractions, ideal for charging your car during a long visit somewhere.

Slow chargers (2.4kw to 6kw) – Used in many homes and workplaces, these will take much longer to charge your vehicle, from 12 hours or more.

Unlike the harmful emissions from petrol and diesel engines, electric vehicles are much less damaging to the environment. Since there is no burning of fuel, there are next to zero emissions produced by electric vehicles, making them a friendlier vehicle for the environment.

Here it is: The Beginner s Guide
You’re starting to become interested in electric cars. Perhaps you ve been frightened away from diesel, are sick of paying for petrol or are worried about the quality of the air we breathe. Electric cars are becoming more accessible, practical and stylish all the time and the chances are there is one which will fit into your life.

So what s the truth? What do you need to know? Our guide will help set you off in the right direction before you make the leap.

The Scary Myths
The main scare stories you will hear around electric cars are around range anxiety and the actual life of the battery. Let s take a look at both of these:

Firstly, battery life. We have become used to our laptops and mobile phones losing battery capacity after a few years as the life of the cells is limited. Electric cars are no different, but it is worth remembering that the manufacturers have designed them to last longer than in a relatively-disposable phone.

So you can expect to drive 100,000-160,000 kilometers before you will notice a loss of capacity. There are ways to make your battery last longer though, such as finding ways to avoid the battery getting too hot and not leaving it fully charged for long periods Secondly, range anxiety. There’s no doubt that the first few weeks of EV ownership can cause a little stress if you are used to filling up your petrol car when the fuel warning light comes on. You have to recalibrate your thinking and say that 70 kilometers range is plenty if your house (and a charger) is only 50 kilometers away.

If you are going on an unfamiliar journey, it s worth doing a little research about where you can charge your car to prevent jangly nerves though.

Electric cars aren’t for everyone, but there are a large number of drivers who could save a fortune by going electric. First, make a note of the kilometers you do every day. The average journey in the UAE is around 60 kilometers, and that’s easily within the range of a modern 100% electric car. Some of the latest cars go more than 500 or 600 kilometers on a single charge.

If you need to go further than an electric car’s realistic range on a regular basis, and the EV will be your only car, there are two alternatives. Either learn the locations of the rapidly-growing network of rapid chargers which can top up a battery in 30 minutes, or consider a Plug In Hybrid (PHEV). A PHEV seems to offer the best of both worlds, with a petrol engine and an electric motor. They can be used together, or in isolation, and can be remarkably efficient. On shorter journeys they can run on electricity alone and then can still go further afield like a conventional car by running on fuel. Having two engines means they tend to perform well too – in fact there is a new generation of supercars which are plug-in hybrids because of the extra power it offers.

There are different strengths of PHEV, with some having a real-world electric range of only a few kilometers and big engines, while others have big batteries and tiny engines which act as generators to give you a few more kilometers in an emergency.

Whether you choose a pure EV or a PHEV, you will need to think about charging it. At home, you can use a traditional 3-pin plug, but expect it to take many hours to fill a modern electric car s battery. If you have a driveway the best option is to have a home charging point fitted, which will top up the watts at a rate of 7kW – almost four times the power you will get from a plug.

Away from home, there are now plenty of places to charge in public and the number is growing all the time. Many in-car satnavs will steer you to the nearest one.

The days of free charging are largely over, so expect to download an app or register on a website at the very least.

The chargers usually have instructions on how to use them so it should be straightforward.

You now no longer need to live in a villa to charge your electric vehicle. Apartment blocks throughout the UAE are fast installing Wallbox chargers for their tenants.

Additionally, in August 2025 Dubai implemented Green Building Regulations which require all new buildings to dedicate a minimum of 5% percentage of parking spaces (and to have Wall chargers in these) for eco-friendly (electric) vehicles.

However you charge up your car, an EV is likely to save you a lot of money in fuel costs.

When looking at total cost of ownership you should take into account everything you spend on driving, including insurance, tax & maintenance – remember that electric cars are far cheaper to maintain than a petrol or diesel car. There’s no oil, spark plugs or engine filters and because the car uses braking energy to charge the battery, the pads and discs are only lightly used.

Once you have worked out your budget we can help you find the perfect vehicle. Electric cars now come in all shapes and sizes, from city cars to SUVs and supercars.

Work out what it is you need your car for and what features you really want. EV Drive have other sweeteners too, such as servicing packages or Insurance thrown in for free. Our aim is to give you the best deal.

According to recent studies, about 80% of electric car charging takes place at home. Home charging is the cheapest, most convenient and safest way to charge an EV making it a popular choice for customers.

This can be done using either a standard three-pin socket or a dedicated EV charging point. Smart home chargers are available to help customers benefit from cheaper energy tariffs, charging the vehicle when demand is lower.

Charging points tend to be much quicker than using a domestic socket. A 7kw home charger will charge your vehicle three times faster than a domestic socket, capable of delivering up to 50 kilometers of electricity range per hour.