Electric Car Ownership
Which KGM Electric Cars Can I Choose?
Discover KGM’s growing range of electric vehicles, combining bold design, advanced technology, and everyday practicality for modern driving.
A spacious all-electric SUV delivering striking design, smart technology, and confident everyday performance.
A capable all-electric pickup offering rugged practicality, modern styling, and dependable electric power.
Electric vehicles (also known as EVs) are now a familiar sight on UK roads, from compact city cars to all-electric vans and larger electric SUVs. They offer quiet driving, lower running costs and zero tailpipe emissions, making them an increasingly popular alternative to diesel cars and petrol vehicles. At KGM, we see this shift first-hand as more drivers explore electric and electrified options alongside traditional engines.
If you’re new to EVs and want to understand the basics, this guide explains everything in simple terms: how electric cars work, how to charge them, what they cost to run, typical electric car range and what everyday ownership looks like in the UK.
What Is an Electric Car?
Electric cars use electrical energy stored in a battery pack to power an electric motor. Unlike a petrol or diesel engine, an EV has far fewer moving parts, no gears and no need for fuel combustion. This simplicity is one reason why maintenance costs can be lower than for diesel vehicles or cars with an internal combustion engine.
There are several types of electric vehicles.
- Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) rely entirely on electricity and produce zero emissions when driving.
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) combine an electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine.
- Mild hybrid (MHEV) and hybrid cars (HEV) offer some electric assistance but cannot typically run on electric power alone.
- Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) use hydrogen instead of a large battery, but they remain rare in the UK due to the very limited hydrogen refuelling network.
If you want a deeper explanation of motors, regenerative braking, charging points and the different types of electric vehicles, you can read our full guide to how electric cars work.
How Much Do Electric Cars Cost?
Purchase prices vary widely across the market, with options ranging from compact city EVs to larger all-electric SUVs and vans. The final price depends on factors such as battery size, real-world range, charging speed, trim level and onboard technology. There is now a healthy mix of new and used electric vehicles available, and EV leasing has also become a popular way to access an all-electric car without a large upfront cost.
Where electric vehicles really stand out is in running costs. Home charging is usually significantly cheaper per mile than fuelling a petrol or diesel engine, especially if you use an off-peak electricity tariff. With fewer moving parts in the powertrain, EVs tend to need less routine servicing: there is no engine oil, no clutch, no exhaust system and far less mechanical wear.
Pure electric vehicles now pay road tax (VED) in the UK. EVs registered from April 2025 pay £10 in the first year, then the standard annual rate (£195) from year two onwards. EVs registered between 2017 and 2025 now also pay £195 per year. Many clean air zones offer reduced or zero charges for zero-emission vehicles. Pure electric cars are classed as zero-emission vehicles, which is why they’re exempt from VED and many clean-air zone charges.
Our guide to EV running costs and total cost of ownership explains this in more detail.
How Do You Charge an EV?
Most drivers charge at home using a home charging point and rely on public charging points when travelling. This allows you to recharge the battery overnight and start each day with a full battery. Charging speed is measured in kW, and the amount of energy added to the battery is measured in kWh, which determines how many miles you gain from each charge.
When you are away from home, thousands of public charging points and rapid charging hubs are available at supermarkets, car parks, workplaces and motorway service stations.
- Fast charging (typically 7 to 22 kW) is ideal for top-ups.
- Rapid and ultra-rapid charging can deliver 50 kW, 100 kW or more, often taking an EV from 10 to 80 percent in around 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the car and the charging station.
The UK now has over 50,000 public charging points, with thousands more added each year, giving EV drivers more choice and reliability than ever before.
For a clear, beginner-friendly breakdown of home charging, public charging points, charging networks and EV charging speeds, see our full charging guide.
How Far Can Electric Cars Go?
Modern BEVs offer impressive real-world range, typically between 150 and 300 miles on a single charge. Some long-range models go even further. For example, the KGM Torres EVX offers up to around 287 miles (WLTP), while the KGM Musso EV offers up to 290 miles of city driving range. Battery range depends on battery size, driving speed, temperature and use of features such as heating and air-conditioning. Cold weather can reduce efficiency, which is why some newcomers experience range anxiety early on. This variation in electric car range is normal and depends on real-world factors.
Most UK drivers travel under 30 miles per day on average, falling well within the available range. For longer trips, rapid charging on the motorway makes planning straightforward.
Our detailed range guide explains WLTP vs real-world range, battery degradation and how to get the most from your EV.
What About Maintenance and Everyday Use?
Electric cars are designed to be practical and straightforward to maintain. They still require MOTs, brake fluid checks and tyre replacements, but the electric powertrain has far fewer wear points than a petrol or diesel engine. Regenerative braking also reduces brake wear, which helps keep servicing simpler and more predictable.
Modern electric car batteries are lasting longer than many early drivers expected, and most electric vehicles come with substantial manufacturer warranties for added peace of mind. The core technology has matured significantly, and reliability data continues to improve as more EVs hit the road.
From our experience designing and supporting modern vehicles at KGM, simplicity and durability are core advantages of electric powertrains, especially for everyday driving and long-term ownership.
If you want to know more about towing, long-distance driving, family suitability or electric vans, our everyday use guide has all the details.
Are Electric Cars Better for the Environment?
Battery electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, which helps improve air quality in towns and cities. Even when you factor in battery manufacturing, most EVs have a lower overall carbon footprint than petrol or diesel engines across their lifetime. The UK’s electricity mix is also becoming cleaner, which improves sustainability every year. Battery recycling and second-life use cases are expanding as well.
We take a closer look at sustainability, emissions and recycling in our environmental impact guide.
Still Have Questions?
If you are unsure about gears, chargers, charging in the rain or what happens if an EV runs out of battery charge, you can find simple answers on our EV FAQ page.