Ford Hybrid & Electric

The benefits of buying an electric car are manifold. Electric motoring not only enables you to drive as you would regularly, but you are emitting zero CO2 emissions from your vehicle, enabling you to drive with a clear conscience. There are also advantages to your wallet, with low running costs and fewer mechanical components to go wrong and demanding expensive repairs.

Ford’s selection of electric and hybrid vehicles is currently under development, with the manufacturer dedicated to providing a host of models by the year 2020. Of these vehicles, eight are to be unveiled before the end of 2019, with one - a Mustang-inspired, all-electric SUV - certain to prove popular among motorists.

With one of the advantages of all electric vehicles being that there are no engines to suffer wear and tear, many experts expect such vehicles to outlast traditional models. However, there are questions about the battery life of electric vehicles. Like any lithium-ion battery - like those found in your smartphone - the charge capacity will diminish slowly over extended periods of use. It pays, therefore, to invest in an electric car battery warranty for added peace of mind.

Much like if your standard vehicle runs out of petrol or diesel, running out of battery charge can be problematic. It pays, therefore, to ensure you plot your journeys carefully and make use of the national charging points so that you’re never found wanting. In the event that you could not avoid running out of electricity, you will ultimately require a breakdown service to transport your vehicle.

It’s unusual for an electric car battery to require replacing, with the motors designed to last for up to two decades. However, should you find yourself in a situation where you have no choice, it is possible to replace the battery. As the electric car industry evolves, the costs and availability of replacement motors is certain to make such a process more affordable.

Although electric vehicles possess fewer moving components than their combustion engine counterparts, it is still of the utmost importance that regular servicing is carried out. This is because you will still have tyres, lights, air conditioning systems and much more that require continual assessment.

Like all hybrid vehicles, Ford hybrids combine a traditional combustion engine with a battery powered motor. In most cases, these vehicles switch from one power source to another in a manner that is barely perceptible, and utilise such technology as regenerative braking to recharge the battery.

Yes. In fact, a standard hybrid vehicle is designed to do just that, switching into battery powered mode when ready to reduce emissions.

This really depends on your own preference. All-electric vehicles emit zero CO2 emissions, so those with a preference for cleaner driving may prefer to choose electric.

A process called regenerative braking is one of the means in which the battery on a hybrid is recharged, converting the energy lost during braking into an electrical charge that replenishes the battery. You can alternatively choose a plug-in hybrid vehicle which, as the name suggests, requires you to plug the vehicle in to an outlet.