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Electric cars FAQ

What’s the point of buying an electric car if I don’t follow the latest trends?

It’s important to realise that, with an electric motor, you won’t burden your surroundings with noise or emissions. Quiet operation and zero local emissions ensure environmental friendliness. In the future, eMobility will offer many new services that we are currently preparing for you. For example, recharging your car from the comfort of home is not only convenient, but also cheaper because special electric car tariffs mean you will draw on cheaper energy for your car and your home.

How many dealerships will be selling electric cars?

Eventually all of our dealers will offer electric vehicles. Each of these partners will give you basic information about eMobility and will have at least one of the models in the showroom. They will also be able to offer you a test drive in an electric car. (You should take into account that the dealer may not have just purely electric models, but also plug-in hybrid models.)

Aren’t electric cars dangerous in an accident?

Like conventional cars, electric cars are subject to standard crash tests and have reported good results. Batteries are not explosive in an accident. What’s more, electric cars can also operate without a clutch, a gearbox or engine oil, typical causes of fires in a crash. Overall, they have much fewer components, which further reduce the likelihood of failure. The batteries are completely insulated from the rest of the car, and in the event of an accident, the whole system is disconnected.

Will my EV make any sounds?

This area is now covered by legislation and the Kodiaq iV, Superb Combi iV, Octavia iV and Enyaq models use e-sound.

Is my EV a danger for pedestrians?

As EVs are generally quieter than conventional vehicles, drivers of EVs need to be that little bit more careful at low speeds. New European legislation means that our EVs also have an e-sound to ensure that others can hear them, especially in pedestrian zones.

What is the general lifetime of an EV?

Various factors come into play here, especially the driving style, car care, and the observance of prescribed maintenance appointments. What we can assure you is that the guaranteed battery life of a Škoda will be 8 years or 160,000 km.

What is MyŠkoda and how is it related to eMobility?

MyŠkoda is an app ensuring that you always have control over your vehicle. You can check the charging range, driving data, or where you've parked your car. You can even check whether you've locked your vehicle. Pretty amazing, isn't it?

Where are the electric cars made?

• The Octavia iV and Enyaq are produced in Mladá Boleslav.
• The Kodiaq iV is produced in Kvasiny.
• The Superb Combi iV is produced in Bratislava.

Are all components manufactured in the Czech Republic?

Škoda Auto has invested significant sums in the construction of new infrastructure for electric vehicle production at our plants and in lithium-ion battery manufacture directly in Mladá Boleslav. In addition to electric vehicles, as of 2019 the Mladá Boleslav plant has also produced electrical components for the plug-in hybrid models of several Volkswagen Group brands. As with our conventional models, we will be outsourcing individual parts across our supplier networks.

What is the difference between a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and electric car?

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles combine a classic internal combustion engine with an electric motor which can be recharged from an electrical outlet. The PHEV can be driven in pure electric mode, but the range is limited. A hybrid (HEV) combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, but cannot be charged from an external network. The battery powering the electric motor is recharged solely by driving and is only built for short ranges, especially for starting off. An electric vehicle (BEV) does not have an internal combustion engine. Instead, it powers the car using only a battery, which can be charged from an external power supply.

What’s the difference between an electric car and a plug-in hybrid?

Both types are fitted with a charging socket, but otherwise they’re fundamentally different. The plug-in hybrid, sometimes referred to as a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), combines a classic internal combustion engine with an electric motor which can be recharged from an electrical outlet and from energy recovered while driving. A PHEV can also be driven in purely electric mode, but the range is limited.

What's the difference in the lifecycle of EVs and hybrids?

There is no fundamental variation in the lifecycle of any of the vehicles, whether they are hybrids, plug-in hybrids, or electric-only cars. The main difference is that hybrids and plug-in hybrids still have engines that rely on petrol, whereas a fully electric car doesn’t generate any emissions as it is completely battery-operated.

Are electric cars reliable?

As you already know, all our Škoda vehicles are highly reliable, and our electric cars are no exception. We put a lot of effort into producing top-quality vehicles and only build them with reliable parts of the highest standards that have been designed by our hard-working engineers.

Is there any difference in reliability between electric and conventional vehicles?

Generally, EVs, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids are as reliable as any other Škoda vehicle. Full electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and less operating costs, which is very convenient for you and doesn’t affect our vehicles’ reliability in any way.

Does an EV need extra maintenance?

An EV does not need more maintenance than any other vehicle as regular maintenance and service checks are important for every car to ensure its reliability and safety. Having said that, electric cars don't have oil or transmission fluids that need to be changed, and also have fewer moving parts.

How do I find a car service centre that services electric cars?

Every Škoda Auto car service will be able to service electric cars and hybrids. However, specialised battery repairs can only be carried out by selected service centres. We are currently working on the development and certification of service centres to offer a standard of service in line with what our customers are used to.

What needs to be serviced?

Electric vehicles are not so service-intensive. They have fewer parts that wear out. They do not have spark plugs, cylinders, injection, turbochargers, oil tanks, etc. Therefore, services focus mainly on checking the brake system and voltage or to measure the battery capacity, i.e. the vehicle’s wiring. The details of electric vehicle servicing will depend on the model and its equipment.

How often do I need to change parts?

As with any other Škoda, if you take care of your Škoda electric car, it is unlikely you will have to change parts that often.

How often will my EV need a service and maintenance check?

At Škoda, we recommend our customers to have a general service after the car reaches a specific mileage. The Laura voice assistant will be available in your Škoda and will inform you when you need a check-up. She’ll even be able to help you to book a service with one of our trusty workshops.

What are the regular service intervals?

A service inspection for the Enyaq is required after 2 years. For other electric models this is either 2 years of 30,000 km*. A flexible oil change service is required after 2 years or 30,000 km*. A fixed oil change service is required after 1 year or 15,000 km*. The above mentioned intervals apply to the majority of countries, however in some countries it may differ according to local regulations.

*whichever is first

Can I do a routine maintenance myself, considering the amount of electronics in the car?

As the vehicle has an electrical system, the specific work that drivers can handle themselves (of the type they are used to with conventional Škoda cars) needs to be defined. However, the scope of this activity will be limited as the engine becomes simpler over time. Of course, basic tasks associated with the operation of the vehicle, such as checking the tyre pressure and refilling the operating fluids, will remain. We recommend that you leave everything else to an authorised service centre for a first-class service.

Can I tow a car on a rope?

An electric-motor car cannot be towed on a rope or with a tow dolly. Always use a hydraulic arm and load the car on to a platform when towing is required. You can push the vehicle over short distances, but it must be in neutral and the ignition must be switched on.

Is it better to park an e-vehicle in the shade or in the sun?

No direct sunlight reaches the battery because it is in the vehicle floor. However, cooling down the vehicle requires battery energy, which reduces the range.

What happens if the car is struck by lightning?

The car behaves like a conventional car. A lightning strike is not critical. If the vehicle is being charged, a fuse will trip. In the worst-case scenario, the charger will be destroyed.

What happens when the car drives through high water?

The car behaves like a conventional car. The high-voltage battery is sealed to prevent water penetration.

Can my EV explode in water?

An EV behaves like any conventional vehicle driven through a puddle or high water. The high-voltage battery is sealed to prevent water penetration and you definitely won’t have to worry about unexpected explosions.

Is the battery damaged by magnetic objects, mobile devices or high voltage in the car, or is its performance reduced?

Since the battery is electromagnetically shielded, these items have no negative impact on the battery.

How far can I drive in the winter?

With every generation of electric vehicles, the range for a single charge is getting better and better. The Škoda Enyaq has a range of up to 540 kilometres*, which is ample for full and unrestricted travel. Just as cars with a combustion engine have slightly higher consumption in winter, electric cars also have to use more energy in cold weather.

*refers to a typically equipped car

Are Škoda EVs value for money?

By launching hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric cars, we want to make electric mobility accessible to everyone. We think our EVs are a great cost-efficient alternative that either generate low emissions or are emission-free.

Are electric vehicles pricier?

That depends on the country where you want to buy the EV.

Are there other EV purchase options?

The options depend on the country where you want to finance or lease the EV. We are sure there are multiple options and your local dealership can help to find the best one for you.

Do I save money by buying an EV?

Electric vehicles can definitely save you money in the long term, as the average operating costs are much lower than for conventional vehicles. Depending on the country you live in, you may even benefit from tax concessions or other government incentives. We recommend contacting your local dealer for more information.

How does the price of an EV or hybrid compare with a conventional vehicle?

The price ranges generally depend on the country you want to purchase the vehicle in as there are many factors that influence the actual prices. Generally speaking, the operating costs of EVs are substantially lower, but they can be more expensive to purchase than their conventional counterparts.

What advantages does Škoda Auto (not the government) offer to individuals interested in buying an electric car compared to those wanting to buy a car with an internal combustion engine?

For our customers, we are preparing a very interesting offer of new-car prices and associated services. We will release specific information as the individual models of Škoda electric cars are introduced. The total price will also depend on the government incentives prepared for individuals. Everything is currently being negotiated.,

How much does the operation of an electric car cost per 100 km (purely theoretically and on average, bearing in mind that supplier prices are another factor), excluding depreciation?

The estimated price of “fuel” in the operation of an electric vehicle provides some sort of indication. At an average price of EUR 1.25 per litre of petrol and consumption of about 6 litres per 100 km, that works out as approximately EUR 7.50. Driving 100 km in an electric car uses about 17 kWh. At a price of EUR 0.12 per kWh, driving an electric car 100 km costs EUR 2.00. The price per kWh, however, depends on your tariff, which you definitely need to optimise in line with the operation of the electric car in order to benefit from the best energy prices. Another factor affecting the cost of operation is vehicle servicing and maintenance. It will not be necessary, for example, to change oil, filters and other parts associated with the complex system of internal combustion engines.

How does an electric motor behave differently from a combustion engine?

The power bands and torques of each of these engines are entirely different. While the power and torque of an internal combustion engine increase with RPM until they top out, in an electric motor maximum torque is delivered from almost zero revolutions and decreases as it reaches the highest RPM. In practice, this means that an electric car’s greatest traction is at the start, making it relatively dynamic. In addition, an electric motor’s very wide operating RPM range means that it doesn’t need a multi-speed transmission with a clutch, so your average electric car can get by with a single gear – or a reduction drive – from standstill to top speed.

How is consumption measured?

In electric cars, consumption indicates the energy consumed in kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres of travel (kWh/100 km). As in conventional cars, the instrument cluster displays information on both the instantaneous and average consumption. On top of this, it also lets you know the amount of recovered energy sent back to the batteries.

How about the servicing and life of electric motors?

Since the main, and in fact the only, moving part of an electric motor is the rotor, servicing requirements are minimal in comparison to a combustion engine. There is no need for any oil changes or fuel and air filter replacement. These tend to be high-revving machines, so they need to be well designed (especially the bearings), but, in general, electric drive requires less maintenance than a conventional engine.

Is there a difference between the electric motors in plug-in hybrids and in pure electric cars?

Yes. In the design of a purely electric car, it is assumed that there will be no other type of drive in the car, so this doesn’t need to be taken into account. Consequently, the motor can be optimally primed for the required torque and power, RPM, and vehicle options. The hybrid engine design, on the other hand, must also take into account the characteristics of the internal combustion engine that is to partner the electric motor, focusing on mechanical connection possibilities, operating temperatures, RPM, and the power band. The drive control system is also more complex. The car must be able to move purely electrically, with a combustion engine, or in combined mode, and always with optimal energy use.