Plug in Suffolk news

21 May: How sodium batteries are the future of EV charging

With over two million battery electric vehicles on UK roads and that number growing rapidly, the batteries that power them are likely to face unprecedented change in the next few years. A new battery technology based on sodium ion technology is about to take over the market, and it will mean large ‘grid-scale’ batteries can be used to enable EV charging and grid stabilisation in places where the direct supply is not sufficient.

But what are sodium ion batteries and how do they work?

Sodium batteries are like lithium batteries in cars. They are rechargeable, but instead of using lithium and other minerals that are in demand, they instead use salt. As salt is abundant in the world around us, and is the sixth most common mineral on earth, it does not involve the invasive mining or drilling practices that Lithium batteries require to source the metals. They work exactly the same as lithium-ion batteries, but instead pushes sodium ions from cathode to anode.

With sodium-ion batteries entering commercial production, the biggest battery manufacturer in the world, CATL have signed a deal with HyperStrong to produce 60 gigawatts of sodium batteries over the next three years. That’s the equivalent of around one million EV batteries, based on an average battery pack size of 60 kWh.

Sodium can be safely extracted from seawater, as opposed to mined like lithium, and exists in abundance, making it a safer and cleaner choice for batteries. With production now coming in on a mass scale, salt batteries are the ethical, clean and easy choice going forward.

If you have any questions on EV technology or any of the Plug in Suffolk projects, contact the team at evcharging@suffolk.gov.uk. 

13 March: What to know about buying a second-hand EV

If you’re thinking about buying a second-hand EV but you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone. With just 3% of consumers saying they’d be confident in buying a second-hand electric vehicle (EV) (2026 UK EV adoption and perceptions report), Plug in Suffolk have put together some things you should know before making the switch to EV.

EV batteries are as good as ICE engines

Evidence now points to EV batteries outlasting combustion engines in lots of cars, with a lot of EV car manufacturers now providing an eight-year, or 100,000 miles warranty on the battery. Participants of a survey by Electrifying suggested that they’d be more willing to commit to an EV if they had a battery safety certificate. Geotab’s latest data, suggests however, that EV batteries are even outliving the car, with annual degradation of just over 2%. When you’ve got your car, don’t charge it to 100% unless for long journeys; instead, keeping it between 80%-90% can keep the battery going for longer.

What does EV battery size mean?

The size of an electric car battery is essentially how much energy it can store. It is typically measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), which is a unit of energy. For example, a 50 kWh battery can supply 50 kilowatts of power for one hour or five kilowatts for ten hours, depending on how the energy is used. In the context of EVs, battery size is directly linked to the car’s range.

How to complete a battery health check

To check the range of an EV battery before purchasing, consumers can follow these steps:

• Check the vehicle’s settings menu: Most modern EVs (from 2020 onwards) display battery health information in the vehicle’s settings menu. For Tesla vehicles, the TeslaFi app can provide detailed battery information. For other EVs, OBD-II diagnostic apps can be used to check battery health.
• Consult professional diagnostic service: For high value purchase, investing in professional battery diagnostic services can provide a detailed assessment of battery health.

Driving an EV is different to driving a petrol or diesel car

Although it is true that driving an EV feels different to driving a petrol car, a lot of EVs are a quieter drive then their ICE equivalents. They also accelerate much more rapidly, with 6-7 second 0-60mph acceleration for EVs vs 6-11 seconds for the same in a petrol or diesel vehicle. Although they do feel different, and can take a little getting used to, they are overall a smoother drive.

Check your EVs service history

Most reputable dealers will be able to produce a service history report for each car. Even if it’s just for checking over, it’s worth having a look at any cars service report, as it will help you understand any pre-existing issues with the car and how these may impact its performance down the line. It’s also worth asking for any upgrades and software updates available during servicing as these can help you have a more up-to-date car and run smoother.

EVs will cost you less in the long run

Although buying a second-hand EV might cost you a bit more initially, prices are continuing to fall and EVs, in general, are cheaper to run. If you’re charging at home, you’re paying on average, half the price per mile then you would be in an ICE car. Average maintenance costs for an EV are at around £900 per car after three years, comparatively with £2700 per ICE vehicle, after three years.

How much does a second-hand EV cost up-front?

The cost of a second-hand EV is falling all the time. The AA Used Cars Index tells us that among the top 20 most-searched EV and hybrid models, prices dropped by 9.3% year-on-year in Q4 2025, settling at around £16,826.

In 2022, the average used EV price was around £39,000. Most of the same models have just about halved in price, costing around £20,000. You can find out more about the decline in price at Are Used Electric Car Prices Still Falling in 2026? | The Electric Car Scheme.

Purchasing a second-hand EV doesn’t need to have the fear factor; in fact, it’s just like buying any second-car hand! Test driving, checking batteries and the cars overall lifespan can help reassure you, and can help you know it will perform smoothly. See you out there on the road!

Got questions? Email evcharging@suffolk.gov.uk and one of the team will get back to you.

25 February: Newsflash - Government grants of up to £500 available for home charging

The UK government has announced grants of up to £500 for renters, homeowners without driveways and businesses to install electric vehicle chargepoints. Read more at Transport and Energy.

26 January: What's the difference in running cost for an EV vs an ICE vehicle?

The Autumn 2025 budget reinforced the Government's support for electric vehicles (EVs) but introduced measures like the Pence Per Mile tax (dubbed eVED, meaning Electric Vehicle Excise Duty) that may concern some drivers. eVED will not take effect until 2028.

If you were driving the UK average mileage each year (around 7,500 miles), eVED would add less than £225 per year to your car running costs. For ICE vehicle owners, fuel duty will gradually increase from September 2026 as the current freeze ends, raising pump prices.

The government is reviewing EV charging costs, presenting a chance to reconsider lowering VAT on public charging and easing standing or capacity charges. The review will be completed before the next Autumn budget in 2026.

Charging at home or using public fast chargers (7-22kW) at around 50p/kWh still means cheaper motoring on the whole than driving petrol or diesel vehicles. Many providers, such as Believ, offer subscription and off-peak tariffs which further reduce charging costs compared to ICE vehicles. Suffolk residents who live near a chargepoint will be able to sign up for this special tariff at Believ - Registration.

What else is happening to benefit EV drivers?

• More Money for EV Discounts:
  The government is putting £1.3 billion into the EV grant, and will keep it running until 2030, so buying an electric car stays cheaper.
• Big Boost for Charging Points
  £200 million is going into more chargers, including help for workplaces and local councils.
• Charging Costs Under Review
  Government will look at ways to make public charging cheaper starting 2026.
• Luxury Tax Threshold Raised
  From 2026, you won’t pay extra tax unless your EV costs more than £50,000 (up from £40,000).
• Cheaper for Businesses
  EV charging sites won’t pay business rates until 2035, making it easier for companies to install chargers.
• Fuel Prices Frozen for Now
  Petrol and diesel tax stays the same until 2026, but then it goes up - making EVs better on price, long-term.

The case for driving electric is getting stronger, and many EV drivers enjoy extra benefits. With almost two million battery electric cars on Britain’s roads already, electric cars can be better for the pocket and better for the planet.

Got questions? Email evcharging@suffolk.gov.uk to ask any questions you may have about switching to an EV.

26 January: Mythbusting those Winter EV misconceptions

If you’ve been thinking about what it’s like to drive an electric vehicle (EV) this winter, you might have seen or heard some of the most common misconceptions about what cold weather does to an EV. From low batteries freezing up, to a colder drive, to less mileage, there’s lots of misinformation out there about the perils of a cold EV! Lucky, we’re here to help combat those myths.

EVs batteries don’t work in cold weather:

Most EV batteries are lithium-ion, and it is true that they are sensitive to extreme cold temperatures. However, the climate in the UK is reasonably consistent, with extreme cold weather a rare occurrence. 90% of new car sales in Norway are electric, with a quarter of all cars in EVs, and they have some of the coldest temperatures in Europe; winter averages are around -4 degrees Celsius.

Although your cars battery performance in cold temperatures is likely to drop a small amount, it depends on various factors such as your individual car, the age and the battery range. Monitoring your car range and making sure that your battery does not dip below 20% charge can help you prepare your car for cold weather conditions.

EVs can’t warm up in cold weather:

It’s true that most EV systems can be quite energy intensive, especially if you’re trying to drive and blast the heating on full on those cold winter mornings! Luckily for EV drivers, most EVs now have a feature that mean you can schedule preheating in your car before you even leave to drive. If you preheat your car whilst it is plugged in, you can preserve battery life, as your EV won’t need to tap into the battery to heat it up. You will be so happy to step into an, already defrosted, warm car and less will be drained whilst you’re driving.

EVs don’t drive well in cold weather:

EVs can perform well in cold weather, it’s just about understanding how to maximise them. The more precise control you have with EV power delivery via the accelerator pedal should mean that even icy conditions are less stressful as long as you’re careful. By pre-heating your car, making sure your car has lot of charge on it and driving it sensibly in eco-mode can help maximise battery life. Like all cars, tyres are a huge factor in how well a car can perform, so checking pressure, and if necessary, investing in winter tyres can help. Good planning can help you avoid all the misconceptions of EVs not being able to drive well in winter and enjoy more benefits of this superior technology.

Charging in cold weather damages the EV:

All cars need consideration in inclement weather and, like we’ve mentioned above, the lithium-ion in batteries can take longer to charge due to the cold. Again, this varies on how big the battery is and the range of the car. Charge becomes slower, as colder conditions can slightly slow down the chemical reactions in your battery that takes place when it charges. It’s still possible to charge in cold weather, but charging on slow chargers can help preserve the battery life for longer. It’s also recommended that batteries are kept between 20-80% in general as this can help preserve the car for longer.

So, as with all misconceptions, the truth is much easier than is generally assumed. It is completely possible to keep your EV going in cold weather and, once you’re used to it, you’ll enjoy it more than if it was petrol powered! A bit of preplanning and understanding of the battery systems can go a long way in helping you get the most out of your EV.

Got questions? Email evcharging@suffolk.gov.uk to talk the team.

17 December: Chargepoint works underway

Plug in Suffolk is pleased to announce that works on the first batch of chargepoint installations is nearly complete, thanks to Suffolk County Council’s delivery partner, “Believ”.

The first batch consists of 35 individual sites, providing a total of 138 chargepoints, spread around the county. Building work on the next batch should begin in January 2026.

Further details, including the build dates for sites (where known) can be found on the Map of Plug in Suffolk chargepoints.

To support the ever-growing shift to electric vehicles, Suffolk County Council is installing 6,000 on-street chargers over the next few years. Around 25% of Suffolk households do not have access to on-street charging, which is one of the biggest barriers to be able to switch to an Electric Vehicle.

Introducing on-street chargepoints will enable Suffolk residents to switch to an EV, when they are ready to, with the knowledge they have safe, accessible and easy charging options near where they live. Plug in Suffolk’s aim is for every resident to be within a 5-minute walk or wheel of a chargepoint, allowing access across the whole county.

To deliver the project, Suffolk County Council has received £5.33m from the Department for Transport through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Capital Fund.

12 November: Meet the Fleet: an electrifying time with Suffolk’s Car Clubs

In October, councillors from all over Suffolk came together for a special event called Meet the Fleet. It was their chance to see firsthand how Suffolk’s new electric car clubs work — and take the cars for a spin!

What happened?

The event was hosted by the Plug in Suffolk team and their partner, Co Wheels. Councillors and council staff got to:

• Chat with the team behind the project
• Learn how easy it is to book and hire a car
• Go for a drive in one of the electric car club vehicles
• Ask questions and find out how the scheme helps local people
• Learn how the project is helping Suffolk become more sustainable

What did people say?

Councillor Waterman, Leader of West Suffolk District Council, said:

“It was great to meet the team and try out the cars. They’re all shiny new electric vehicles — perfect for people who need to get around but don’t want to buy their own car. I’m proud to be part of the group that helped fund this.”

Katy Bush, who helps run the project as Environment Strategy Project Manager, added:

“We were really happy to see so many councillors and staff come along. It was a great chance to show how simple it is to use the car clubs. We hope they’ll now share the idea with residents and even try the cars themselves!”

What are Car Clubs?

Car clubs are a smart way to travel sustainably via car without owning one. Since June, Suffolk has been rolling out electric car clubs in different areas of the county. Here’s how they work:

Why are they so great?

• You can book a car for just a few minutes, a few hours, or even a whole day
• You only pay for the time you use and the miles you drive
• The cars are electric, so they’re better for the environment
• Using the Car Clubs can help reduce traffic, parking problems, and air pollution.

Want to learn more?

Plug in Suffolk is running an 18-month trial of the Car Clubs. If you’re curious or want to try one out, visit the Co Wheels website.

1 October: Charging channel trial could provide innovative solution for charging at home

Suffolk County Council is currently running a 12-month trial of charging channels, which allows charging cable to run from a home charger to an electric vehicle parked on the road, through a special channel, flush with the surface.

The 12-month trial for EV charging channels is trialling three exciting technologies from KerboCharge, Gul-E and ChargeGully, to provide those without access to a driveway the ability to charge at home.

25% of households in Suffolk rely on on-street parking, which is often a barrier for people who would like an electric vehicle as they have no convenient way to charge. A charging channel provides a safe, convenient way to charge an electric vehicle without running a cable across a pavement, which can cause trip hazards. Installation normally takes as a little as two hours, and channels can last for many years.

Residents with mobility difficulties can benefit from this solution, as those who have difficulty using and accessing public chargepoints can safely charge an electric vehicle from their homes. Feedback from a participant in the trial on the Motability Scheme has reflected this:
"I use the charging channel regularly – typically several times a week. It’s straightforward to use and has made home charging much more practical. Having the cable safely housed reduces the risk of trips or obstructions on the pavement, which is a big plus."

Additional participants of the trial have found the charging channels easy to use and maintain:
"It has been an amazing addition, it has helped us so much…we don’t need to sit in a car park hour on end each week charging our car."

The trial is expected to be completed in January 2026, and the decision to allow other residents to apply will be made after the trial completion. If adopted, this pioneering technology will be available widely for applicants across Suffolk.

10 September: An introduction to EVs and EV charging for councillors

Calling all councillors!

If you’re looking to increase your knowledge of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, Energy Saving Trust are running multiple webinars titled “An introduction to EVs and EV charging for Councillors.”. These events are pitched specifically towards supporting councillor knowledge, providing you with an introduction to electric vehicles, policy updates, mythbusting and the role of local authority members.

With the Plug in Suffolk programme well underway, it’s a fantastic opportunity to increase your knowledge on the value of the electric vehicle projects.

These webinars are free to attend and are only for local authority councillors. You can sign up at the Energy Saving Trust website. 

15 August: Three more car clubs have arrived in Suffolk

Throughout the Summer months, 14 electric vehicles were placed in seven locations across Suffolk. Two cars with a range of over 200 miles have been placed in Sudbury, Hadleigh, Needham Market, Bury St Edmunds, Woodbridge, Stowmarket and Norfolk Road, Ipswich. Car clubs gives you the opportunity to simply book a car for minutes, hours or days, cutting out the expense of ownership. The Plug In Suffolk Car Club is just one way that Suffolk’s local authorities are helping to create a net zero Suffolk. This project delivers on two of the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan’s goals; a reduced number of cars on the road and an increased proportion of vehicles on the road that are low or zero emission.

Over the next few months, car club vehicles are due to be delivered to each of the following further locations:

• Newmarket
• Lowestoft
• Ann Street, Ipswich
• Leiston

To join the car club, visit co-wheels. Suffolk residents can use promo code Suffolk15 to get free membership and £15 credit on their account. After becoming a member, vehicles can be booked via the website, Co Wheels app or over the phone.

28 July: A successful EVEX 2025 at Trinity Park, Ipswich - special report by Peter Frost

Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 July 2025: For the first time, the Electric Vehicle Experience Day was split over two events, each with their own focus.

The first day focused on the huge array of electric passenger vehicles available. Visitors were able to enjoy a choice of test drives in all the latest models, with most new cars on the market available to view with a wide range of test drives available. The Trinity Park perimeter track was busy the whole day with visitors making use of the fantastic opportunity to try all the cars they were considering. Additionally, there was an autonomous bus taking visitors for a ride with no driver and no steering wheel, allowing passengers to experience a true robot taxi for the first time.

When not test driving, there were fascinating discussions going on inside the conference centre as well as stands with experts on hand to answer queries about technology, charging solutions and finance techniques to run the car you want, covering all aspects of the EV ownership experience in one place. There were interviews on GenX Radio which was broadcasting live from the event all day, the official launch of the Plug in Suffolk Car Clubs, and even biscuits in the shape of car!

Thursday saw a change of emphasis, with the far side of Trinity Park taken over by lines of Electric HGV’s, vans, and trucks. Representatives from various business sectors were able to see and test drive how advanced electric freight haulage has become and learn how the future is here, now. There were also trade talks from representatives and influencers from the industry which gave a fascinating insight into how this is going to shake up the transport sector in the foreseeable future. Overall, the day was a revelation of how something that was considered impractical just a few short years ago, is now seen as inevitable and businesses are on the edge of this revolution.

Many thanks to our delivery Partners at EVdriver and Ground Transport Group, as well as our Hosts at Trinity Park who all did such a fantastic job of bringing this first-of-its-kind event to reality.

28 July: Newsflash - the electric car grant is back!

On 14 July, the government announced the relaunch of the electric car grant. Read all about it at GOV.uk