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At
Spirit SEAT, we’re delighted to be able to bring our customers the
newest and best electric and hybrid options from SEAT - one of the world’s most
popular vehicle marques. The carmaker currently offers its city-friendly Mii in
all-electric guise, while the Leon and Leon Estate are available in both mild
and plug-in hybrid iterations. With improved fuel economy, more affordable running
costs, and lower CO2 emissions, choosing any of the innovative models from SEAT
will help you take to the road with a clear conscience.
Our
sales advisors are passionate about helping motorists make the change
from petrol/diesel models to electric and hybrid options. They’ll be able to
advise on the suitability of your chosen vehicle, detail the overall range of
zero-emissions motoring available, and provide information on purchasing
options. For example, they’ll be able to provide information on the government
grants that help make buying a new car and a charging solution more affordable
than you might expect.
Here at Spirit SEAT, we understand that making the change to electric or hybrid technology is a big step, which is why we’re always happy to provide the advice and guidance you need to make the right decision. Simply liaise with a member of the team over the phone, via online contact form, or live chat today, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Electric cars are greener than internal combustion engine vehicles by a number of key measures, with the exception of the carbon intensity of the manufacturing process.
At first this can definitely get a bit confusing, but there are three main types to consider when looking at hybrid and electric cars:
Traditional Hybrids – these hybrids twin a traditional fossil
fuel powered engine with an electric battery and motors. Traditional hybrids
charge their battery solely through the use of the car’s brakes and engine.
Plug-In Hybrids – these work the same as traditional hybrids
but offer the additional benefit of the ability to charge the car by plugging
it into a charging station.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) – unlike the hybrid choices, BEVs are fully electric and are powered solely by an electric batter y and motor. They can re -use energy from the brakes but require plugging-in to charge. Thanks to the total removal of the fossil fuel engine, they offer zero emission driving.
Advances in technology mean that modern day electric cars are now capable of offering 150 – 200 kilometres of range on a single charge (some even more). Whilst it may not sound like a lot compared to some petrol/diesel cars, it’s plenty for most journeys and it’ll cost you a lot less in fuel costs.
For longer journeys, you can simply
give your electric car a little extra charge by plugging it in whilst you stop
for a coffee or snack at one of the Irelands’ many service stations. There are now over 1,100 ESB charging
points across the island of Ireland that allow you to charge your electric car.
Battery technology is rapidly evolving so expect the available ranges to continue to grow significantly over the next year.
Just like a fossil fuel powered vehicle, electric and hybrid cars do need to be refuelled or recharged.
Charging an electric car has never been easier, with
all of them offering multiple options when it comes to charging. If you’re on
the move, the ESB owns, operates and maintains approximately 1,100 public
charge points across the island of Ireland. Otherwise, you can simply charge
your car at home overnight – just like you would your phone.
Plug-in hybrids and traditional hybrids benefit from
the ability to simply pop into a traditional fuel station to fill the tank with
normal fuel for the conventional engine. Plug-in hybrids can be charged as
above as well as filled with normal fuel.
For a full list of charging locations please visit here:Charge Point Map (esb.ie)
The experience when driving an electric or hybrid car is quite the opposite! Unlike traditionally powered vehicles, electric and hybrid vehicles are capable of delivering high levels of torque instantly.
The removal of any hesitation means that electric and hybrid
cars accelerate faster and are more exciting to drive at real world
speeds.
As well as the power benefits, many also offer increased handling ability thanks to clever ways of using electric motors. One such method is to individually power and brake each wheel by using a dedicated electric motor on each; the result is improved levels of traction and cornering ability.
These days, you can expect an electric battery to last well
into the 100,000’s of kilometres before you need to think about getting it
changed!
In terms of recyclability, the electric batteries used in
cars are now widely recyclable, with around 90% of the battery being reused.
Helping this even more, there are currently schemes being tested that’ll use recycled car batteries in residential and commercial settings; batteries removed from electric cars typically have 70-80% power remaining, more than enough for other uses.
Hybrid cars are powered by a mixture of a standard combustion
engine and an electric motor which uses batteries that self-charge through
regenerative braking technology. It is fact that hybrids deliver much
better fuel economy. They are also more reliable, better for the environment
and can also offer a number of tax benefits. Both hybrid and fully electric
vehicles require motor tax but far less than diesel and petrol vehicles.
Absolutely. It is just a case of making sure you pick the right model for the job. There are several electric cars or hybrid cars that can tow as much as equivalent petrol or diesel cars and the abundant torque generated by electric motors makes them adept in the tow car role. For specific guidance, contact Spirit Motor Group today.
As with any car, regular servicing will ensure that your vehicle performs well and that it is safe on the road. Our team of electric vehicle experts have the skills, knowledge and know-how to ensure your vehicle is back on the road with the minimum of downtime.
