Brands to batteries: do you get the big picture with electric vehicles? Take our quiz

With a million electric cars now on UK roads, they are a common enough sight. But have you been paying attention? Photograph: SolStock/Getty Images

1. 

   What does it mean if a car has a green flash on its number plate?

   1. It is powered by biodiesel.

   2. It is a zero-emissions vehicle.

   3. The owner is a member of the Green party.

2. 

   What does this sign signify, and how does it benefit electric vehicle (EV) drivers?

   1. Car-free zone, but EV drivers are exempt.

   2. Congestion charge zone: zero-emission vehicle drivers exempt from paying.

   3. Clean air zone: only electric cars allowed.

3. Why do car makers recommend you only charge batteries to 80%?

   1. To save time and get where you need to go faster.

   2. Because the true capacity of an EV battery is only 80% of what the manufacturer claims it is.

   3. To preserve overall battery life.

4. 

   Which of these factors can affect your driving range?

   1. Being stuck in a traffic jam.

   2. Braking often.

   3. Having the heating or air conditioning on.

5. 

   Which charger type is the common standard in Europe?

   1. CCS.

   2. CHAdeMO.

   3. NACS.

6. According to the Highway Code, what must you do when you are charging your electric car?

   1. Switch on your hazard lights.

   2. Park as close to the charger as possible.

   3. Stay with your vehicle when it is charging.

7. What is the typical charging rate for an ultra-rapid charger?

   1. 22 kilowatts (kW).

   2. 50kW.

   3. 100kW.

8. 

   This company used to be best known for its sports cars but is now one of Britain’s most popular EV makers – can you name it?

   1. Triumph.

   2. MG.

   3. Alvis.

9. 

   BYD has just overtaken Tesla to become the world’s highest selling EV brand. But what does the name stand for?

   1. Build Your Dreams.

   2. Brand You Desire.

   3. Bold Yet Dramatic.

10. 

    What do these quirky electric vehicles have in common?

    1. You don’t need to pay when parking them on a public road.

    2. You don’t need a driving licence to operate them.

    3. They were a fashion trend on Instagram in 2022.

Solutions

1:B - It’s a zero-emissions vehicle, so that means it’s fully electric or powered by hydrogen., 2:B - Congestion charge zone. Vehicles that don’t meet the zero-emission standard have to pay to enter., 3:C - Repeated charging to full capacity can reduce battery life., 4:C - Using heating or air conditioning affects battery usage levels – as can towing a caravan, using a roof rack, driving fast, and even opening the windows when driving at speed. (These also affect fuel consumption in petrol and diesel cars!), 5:A - CCS (combined charging system) is the EU standard. CHAdeMO originates in Japan, while NACS is the Tesla-developed North American charging standard., 6:B - Rule 239 of the Highway Code requires that you avoid causing a trip hazard with the cable. It also suggests using a warning sign if you can, to alert pedestrians., 7:C - Ultra-rapid chargers deliver 100kW or more, and can charge an EV to 80% in just 20 minutes. They are less widely available than fast chargers (7-22kW) and rapid chargers (43-50kW)., 8:B - This century-old British brand, maker of iconic roadsters such as the MGB and the MGF, is now Chinese-owned and offers a range of electric SUVs and hatchbacks. , 9:A - And build they have! This 21-year-old Chinese company sold 526,000 battery EVs to Tesla’s 484,000 in the final quarter of 2023., 10:B - These small EVs are all technically classed as quadricycles and not cars, which means that a 16-year-old with a full AM moped licence can drive them.

Scores

1. 10 and above.

   You’re in charge: bossing it! When it comes to choosing your next electric car, visit Auto Trader’s electric hub to browse thousands of used and new cars.

2. 9 and above.

   You’re in charge: bossing it! When it comes to choosing your next electric car, visit Auto Trader’s electric hub to browse thousands of used and new cars.

3. 8 and above.

   You’re in charge: bossing it! When it comes to choosing your next electric car, visit Auto Trader’s electric hub to browse thousands of used and new cars.

4. 7 and above.

   Plugged in: your EV journey is under way. To continue the ride, head over to Auto Trader for helpful articles, tips and advice, as well as thousands of used and new cars to browse.

5. 6 and above.

   Plugged in: your EV journey is under way. To continue the ride, head over to Auto Trader for helpful articles, tips and advice, as well as thousands of used and new cars to browse.

6. 5 and above.

   Plugged in: your EV journey is under way. To continue the ride, head over to Auto Trader for helpful articles, tips and advice, as well as thousands of used and new cars to browse.

7. 4 and above.

   Low battery: you could do with topping up your electric vehicle knowledge, so why not visit Auto Trader’s electric hub for helpful articles, tips and advice, ranging from charging and costs to what type of EV is right for you?

8. 3 and above.

   Low battery: you could do with topping up your electric vehicle knowledge, so why not visit Auto Trader’s electric hub for helpful articles, tips and advice, ranging from charging and costs to what type of EV is right for you?

9. 2 and above.

   Low battery: you could do with topping up your electric vehicle knowledge, so why not visit Auto Trader’s electric hub for helpful articles, tips and advice, ranging from charging and costs to what type of EV is right for you?

10. 0 and above.

    Low battery: you could do with topping up your electric vehicle knowledge, so why not visit Auto Trader’s electric hub for helpful articles, tips and advice, ranging from charging and costs to what type of EV is right for you?

11. 1 and above.

    Low battery: you could do with topping up your electric vehicle knowledge, so why not visit Auto Trader’s electric hub for helpful articles, tips and advice, ranging from charging and costs to what type of EV is right for you?

For information, guidance and impartial reviews of electric vehicles, visit Auto Trader, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace