A guide to electric and hybrid cars

We will help you distinguish between different electrified vehicles and tell you what to focus on when choosing a car and how to choose the right type of engine.

illustration of a man standing next to a Tesla at a charging station, with wind mills in the background

Wide selection

70 000 electric vehicles and 120 000 hybrids. The widest selection of verified cars from all over Europe.

Favourable prices

We offer electric cars and hybrids from countries where they are significantly cheaper thanks to subsidies.

Myths and facts

We know the answer to all the questions you have about electric cars and hybrids.

Electric vehicle or hybrid?

illustration of a car with highlighted parts of a motor depending on selected car type

Electric vehicle (BEV)

A car powered by one or more electric motors that are supplied with electricity stored in a traction battery. The abbreviations EV (Electric Vehicle) or BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) are used for these vehicles.

It's a great choice if:

You mostly drive short distances around the city

You can charge at home or at work

You use main roads to travel longer distances

You don't tow heavy trailers (horses, boats, motorcycles)

You want low operating costs and emissions

Popular electric cars

Fiat 500e

Fiat 500e

0 Offers

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3

0 Offers

Volkswagen ID.4

Volkswagen ID.4

0 Offers

Kia e-Niro

Kia e-Niro

0 Offers

Comparison of different types of engines

BEV

Electric vehicle

PHEV

Plug-in hybrid

HEV

Full hybrid

MHEV

Mild hybrid

ICE

ICE (Petrol/Diesel)

Advantages
  • Instant acceleration

  • No noise and vibrations

  • Spaciousness thanks to the battery's placement in the floor

  • Zero exhaust emissions

  • Lower service costs than for internal combustion vehicles

  • Advanced online features

  • Possibility of emission-free and cheap daily operation (with overnight charging at home)

  • Great dynamics in hybrid mode with a charged battery

  • Same range as an internal combustion car

  • Very low fuel consumption, especially in the city

  • Low content of harmful substances in exhaust gases thanks to a specific combustion process

  • Slightly lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than internal combustion engines

  • No need to worry about charging, fast refueling

  • Much wider selection of used cars

  • Availability of service at independent car repair shops

Disadvantages
  • Lengthy charging

  • Limited range, with a few exceptions

  • Uneven charging infrastructure

  • High weight

  • Technically complex ('two cars in one')

  • Expensive

  • Limited dynamics

  • The advantage of lower fuel consumption does not apply at motorway speeds

  • Does not allow electric drive

  • Minimal cost savings

  • Mechanically complex

  • Noise and vibration in common models

  • Expensive operation

  • Air pollutants

Cost per 1 km
illustrated electric car next to a charging station, alongside a notepad and a clock

Important parameters when choosing a vehicle

With electrified vehicles, in addition to the usual criteria, such as space for passengers and luggage, design and equipment, there are also other important parameters that should be looked at. So what should you keep in mind when looking for the electric car of your dreams?

Battery warranty

In response to drivers' concerns about failure of the traction battery, which is the most expensive part in an electric car, manufacturers provide very long warranties. The standard warranty is 8 years or 100,000 km driven, sometimes more. Complaints are usually accepted when the SoH (State of Health or current state) drops below 70%.

Charging speed

The charging speed depends on the power output of the charging station. For example, IONITY chargers can charge with input power of up to 350 kW. High charging power requires a sophisticated cooling system that keeps the battery temperature in the optimal range during charging. Charging power decreases during charging to protect the battery.

Range

The distance a car can travel with a fully charged battery before it needs to be charged again mostly depends on the aerodynamics of the car and the capacity of the traction battery. The range is determined according to a harmonised test procedure (WLTP). The actual range depends on weather conditions (significantly lower in winter), driving speed, the route's profile and battery condition.

Battery capacity

Battery capacity is defined in kilowatt-hours (kW), and sometimes in ampere-hours (Ah). Part of the capacity always remains unused to protect the battery, which is why we distinguish between nominal and usable capacity. The maximum usable capacity of the battery decreases over time due to chemical and thermal stress. Its current state - State of Health (SoH, e.g. 90%) - can usually only be determined by special diagnostics. However, some models of electric cars can also display the SoH directly in the on-board system.

illustrated electric car next to a charging station, with a detailed view of electric charging port and its socket

What is the difference between charging electric vehicles and hybrids?

Modern electric cars can usually be charged in two ways: with alternating current and direct current. Plug-in hybrids, on the other hand, generally only support slow AC charging. Full hybrids and mild hybrids are only recharged through recuperation while you drive, they cannot be charged from an external source. That is why they are sometimes called 'self-charging'.

Charging with alternating current - AC

This charging takes several hours. The charging speed depends on whether you are charging the vehicle from a regular socket or a special charger (Wallbox). You should mostly charge with AC, as it is much more battery-friendly. Alternating current is used for charging at home, at work and at some public charging stations, typically in the city. This is usually done using the cable that comes with the car.

TIP!

You can use a mobile application or on-board system to schedule charging in modern electric cars during the cheaper night tariff, or set the time of your morning departure when you need the battery to be charged.

Charging with direct current - DC

Public DC charging stations charge many times faster than home AC chargers. An electric car's battery can be charged from 10% to 80% of maximum capacity in less than 20 minutes. The charging speed slows down significantly as the battery approaches its maximum capacity - this is how manufacturers protect it from damage. Fast charging is much less battery-friendly. You can sometimes pay for charging directly, but chip cards from car companies or energy companies are a more convenient and cost-effective option.

TIP!

You can find the charging infrastructure on our maps, mobile applications and directly in the car's on-board systems - often including additional information such as charging station power output, occupancy and prices. Navigation in electric cars can also take charging into account when planning routes.

Latest offers

70,000 electric vehicles online just a few clicks away

New, refurbished and used electric vehicles with a warranty and delivery to your home.

illustration of a man standing next to a Tesla at a charging station, with wind mills in the background

What you ask us the most

Myths and misconceptions about electrified vehicles.

Is an electric car right for me?

It depends on where and how you travel the most. An electric car is a great choice for anyone who doesn't drive very long distances often, doesn't tow heavy trailers and can charge at home or at work.

I want an electric car, but I can't charge at home. What should I do?

In terms of cost and convenience, charging at home is the best way to recharge the battery of an electric car. But if you don't have this option, the network of public charging stations around main roads and big cities is now dense enough to cover your needs. You can charge your vehicle during a visit to the movie theatre or your big weekly shopping trip.

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

It depends on the type of charger and the car itself. When charging at home, it can take all night, while it will only take a few minutes on a fast charger. We provide information about the charging speed in the car specifications, if available for the given car.

How can I find public charging stations?

In a variety of online maps, mobile applications and directly in the car's on-board systems - often including additional information such as the charger's wattage, occupancy and prices.

How long does the battery of an electric car or hybrid last?

It depends on the type of car and how it is used. It is true that the batteries used to die very quickly in some older models of electric cars, but this was due to poor construction and insufficient cooling. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are known cases of Toyota Prius or Tesla Model S cars, whose batteries may have lost part of their original capacity, but they continued to work very reliably even after ten years and hundreds of thousands of kilometers driven. The design of batteries is also rapidly improving, and potential defects are covered by a long warranty.

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