When should you get an electric car charge point installed?

Out of 157,000 new vehicle registrations last month only 8% were pure electric, with hybrids making up 33%, and petrol & diesel still going strong on 59%.

For the 8% who’ve purchased a pure electric vehicle a fast charge point makes sense, because changing with a 3-pin plug will take north of 24 hours.

But we’ve always been honest with people who have a hybrid vehicle and want a charge point installed, either at home or at their workplace.

Realistically you only get 20 to 30 miles on a full battery when charging a hybrid car.

So, why would you bother paying £100’s of pounds for a fast charge-point to be fitted, when you can fully charge it in a few hours using a 3-pin plug?

Some people say it’s for convenience, as they don’t like sticking a cable through an open window or leaving their door ajar for several hours.

Other hybrid drivers are being quite clever and are thinking long-term.

You see, the £350 grant towards a home charge point installation is changing next March. We’ve been told those with off-road parking will no longer be able to claim the grant.

DVLA are saying it’s going to be redistributed to help people who live in more challenging vehicle charging properties, such as apartments and terraced houses.

These clever hybrid drivers and long-term thinkers (who’s cars still qualify) are choosing to get a fast charge point fitted anyway, so they don’t lose out on getting the grant.

They’re not daft, they know their next vehicle after this hybrid will be a full electric, and they’d rather pay £100’s now rather than close to a £1,000 a few years down the line.

…clever some of those hybrid drivers, don’t you think?