How To Search

Each of the search criteria in the electric car search engine is explained below, but you can also combine searches (for example, battery range and top speed).

You also don't need to make all of the selections on this page - you can simply search for the items you want.

Each time you click on any of the 'Search' buttons, the search will look for cars that match each of your criteria.

Remember that you can combine searches, so for example you can search for a battery range of 100 to 250 miles and a top speed of 100 to 150 mph, and the search will return all the vehicles that match each criteria.

Remember too that you can reset the page at any time by clicking on the 'Reset' button.

Where the searches require a mnimum or maximum value you must enter both values (e.g. the 'min' and 'max' miles for battery range).

If you don't complete both boxes the 'Search' button won't activate so you won't be able to start the search.

We've explained each of the main searches below, but don't worry if you make a mistake.

Simply click on the 'Reset' button.

The page will reset with no values in the minimum/maximum boxes and no selections in any lists.

'Battery Range" Search

For the 'Battery Range' search choose the minimum and maximum range you want to search, for example 100 and 500.

The 'Search' button will become enabled - just click on it to see the results.

Keep in mind that if you put a minimum or maximum mileage that is outside the scope of the mileages available you may not get any results.

'Recharge Time' Search

Choose the charger speed you expect to use (slow, fast, rapid or super) and the minimum and maximum time you want the car to charge to 80% of it's capacity.

We use 80% as this is currently the recommended maximum charge to maintain an electric car battery condition (charging higher than 80% is typically not recommended to help with the overall long-term condition of the battery).

Once you have selected the recharge speed and the number of minutes you want the battery to charge the 'Search' button will become enabled.

Click on the button to see the vehicles which can be recharged to 80% in the selected number of minutes.

'Acceleration' Search

In our 'Acceleration' search we provide the manufacturer's data figure for the acceleration from 0-62mph (we use this as it is the equivalent to 0-100kph in Europe and elsewhere).

Select the minimum and maximum times in seconds for the search (for example, set a minimum of 5 seconds and a maximum of 10 seconds to see vehicles with acceleration times within these values).

Click on the 'Search' button to see the results.

'Top Speed' Search

In our 'Top Speed' search provides the manufacturer's data figure for top speed in miles per hour.

Select the minimum and maximum top speeds to see cars within those ranges.

Click on the 'Search' button to see the results.

'Engine BHP' Search

This search finds the engine brake horse power (or 'BHP') for vehicles between the chosen minimum and maximum.

Electric cars are still rated by BHP (also known as 'PS' in Europe) which relates to the pulling power of the electric motor.

Select the minimum and maximum BHP you want to search and we will provide all the vehicles within that rangeonce you click on the 'Search' button.

'Engine Torque' Search

This search is related to the engine brake horse power (or 'BHP') search.

BHP is typically expressed in the UK by the ability to pull a given weight (1 pound or 'lb') over the length of a foot (around 30cm).

For combustion engines the torque of a engine is typically expressed at its maximum relative to engine revolutions.

For example, an internal combustion engine might generate 200BHP at 5,000 revolutions per minute (or RPM).

For electric engines the maximum torque of the motor is typically generated as soon as the engine startes to spin, in other words, close to zero revolutions.

For this reason electric motors typically don't have an expressed engine torque relative to revolutions, though a torque figure may still be available.

For this reason electric motors typically don't have an expressed engine torque relative to revolutions, though a torque figure may still be available.

'Drive' Search

This search is for the number of driven wheels on the car.

You can choose from:

• Front-wheel drive
• Rear wheel drive
• 4-wheel drive.

This search will return all vehicles that match the drive type you select.

Where a torque value is available this will be displayed, but for most electric motors the value could be '0'.

'Battery Warranty' Search

You can search for the warranty on the battery by miles (typically up to 100,000 miles) or the period (typically in years).

Enter the period or mileage you want to use and the search will return all vehicles that match your criteria.

Search Tips

Remember that if you just make a few choices you may get so many cars matching your selections that the vehicle list is too long and isn't helpful.

We recommend that you at least select factors such as price or monthly payment and body style to narrow down results to a manageable number.

Once the search results appear you can change/refine your settings and search again, particularly if a lot of cars meet your initial search requirements.

Instant Search Updates

The most effective way of searching is to set all your car requirements at once and then click on the 'Search' button, but you can also see the impact of changing individual search criteria.

To do this click on 'Settings' and in the 'Update Options' section choose 'Instant Search Update'. This will update searches every time you change each individual selection.

Keep in mind though that turning on the instant update feature will usually increase the amount of time it takes to get to the end of your search. This is because as every change is made you re-run the search.