Can I be fined if my electric car runs out of charge on the road?
ELECTRIC cars have soared in popularity due to being one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel.
But what happens if they run out of charge? Can you be fined if you you're forced to stop on the road? Here's everything you need to know.
Can I be fined if my electric car runs out of charge?
Electric cars have become a popular mode of transport due to the range of benefits they provide in comparison to fuel car drivers.
Electric car drivers can benefit from lower running costs, discounts on congestion, free parking in particular areas and low or no road tax.
But despite all those benefits, there is the issue of what many call ‘range-anxiety’ - the fear of how far an electric car will be able to travel until it runs out, and if there are chargers on hand when needed.
Despite there being around 15,500 charging point locations for electric cars in the UK, drivers of these vehicles can always run the risk of running out of charge.
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So, what happens if you do and can you be fined?
If your electric car does run out of charge, it will switch into failsafe mode, giving you enough time to pull over safely.
Modern electric cars are designed to keep you safe, giving you plenty of advanced warning if your batteries are nearly out of charge.
The way each car does this will differ from model to model, but you can expect your car will let you know.
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If you run out of charge, you will have to call for roadside assistance.
According to the AA: ''Should an AA member in an EV run out of charge this is covered as part of their membership so incurs no cost.
''We would simply tow them to the nearest chargepoint so they could top-up.''
While running out of battery itself is not an offence, drivers could be at risk of facing large fines as a result of the consequences.
Stopping in the road could see you slapped with a £100 fine and three points on your licence.
In more serious instances, such as causing an accident, could result with drivers going to court where they could be handed a much more severe penalty for careless driving offences.
Can you jumpstart an electric car?
The answer is yes - it is possible to jumpstart an electric car.
And jumpstarting an electric vehicle is no different to that of a traditional vehicle.
However, there are a few important things to keep in mind before you do so.
You cannot jumpstart an electric vehicle using another EV.
You also are restricted from using a traditional car engine to jumpstart an EV.
To jumpstart an electric car, you must use a traditional diesel or petrol car, or a battery starter, along with the correct jump leads.
Just be sure to consult your car’s manual to find where your batteries are located.
The manual will also provide you with a guide on how to attach the jump leads.
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Do electric cars lose charge when parked?
Electric cars do in fact lose charge when parked - although it is minimal, this can add up over time.
EV experts all agree that the vehicle needs to have at least 50% battery before a driver considers parking the vehicle.