Understanding Your Electric Honda with Barretts

How big is an electric car’s battery?

Like the variety of cars they power, the batteries in electric vehicles vary in size. They’re often packed away under the floor, taking up all the area beneath where everyone sits. Some will be rectangular shaped, others may resemble a ‘T’ section when viewed from overhead and the larger they are, the heavier they will be. In the new Honda e, the battery is beneath the middle of the car’s floor and it powers an electric motor that is located under the boot floor.

How does an electric car’s battery work?

The modern battery in an electric car is lithium-ion. Inside the cell, positively charged lithium ions are carried by a liquid electrolyte from the anode to the cathode through a separator. This movement results in the discharge of an electrical current and that electricity is used to power the motor or motors that drive either two or all four wheels.

Charging your electric car

Rapid Charging

Rapid chargers are the fastest way to charge your electric car, offering between 25 and 99 kW. Often found at service stations and places close to main routes, rapid chargers are located where your car is going to need a quick charge, or you need to do some shopping or have a break.

Fast Charging

Fast-charging requires a wallbox or a commando plug – either can offer between 7 and 22 kW. You can have a fast-charging unit installed at home – like the unit used in Honda’s e:PROGRESS domestic intelligent charging service – or find them at some workplaces. Most public charging units, such as in shopping centres, will use fast charging.

Slow Charging

Are Electric Cars Reliable?

Fully electric cars have far fewer moving parts than conventional cars. Electric motors are reliable and need little attention. The regenerative braking system, where waste energy is captured for re-use as the car slows down, means the brakes can last longer. To minimise fire risk, lithium-ion batteries have air-cooling systems to prevent overheating and collision detectors that send signals to fuses and circuit breakers, allowing them to disconnect from the battery in a crash. Barretts Honda are equipped to service and maintain electric and hybrid cars we can offer service plans to make maintenance simple.

Maximising Your Hondas Electric Range

• Charge up before you set out on your journey. Avoid harsh acceleration as this needs more energy.
• Gentle acceleration is more energy efficient. Wherever possible, allow the car to slow just by relaxing the pressure on the accelerator instead of using the brakes.
• Anticipate changes in road and traffic conditions and drive accordingly.
• Avoid leaving your lights on the ‘Auto’ setting.
• Avoid using your heating/air conditioning unnecessarily.

Here is a guide of charging times once the battery warning light illuminates.