Where Can I Test Drive an Electric Car Near Me?

If you're thinking about switching to an electric car, researching range and charging is helpful. But there comes a point when reading about an EV can only tell you so much.

You need to drive one.

If you're searching for "where can I test drive an electric car near me?", a franchised dealership is a great place to start. You'll be able to experience an electric car on familiar roads while having the opportunity to ask questions about charging and everyday ownership.

At Hilton Suzuki, you can test drive the fully electric Suzuki e Vitara at our dealerships in Bedford and Bishop's Stortford. But what should you expect from an electric car test drive? What should you look out for while you're behind the wheel? And how can you use the test drive to work out if an EV really suits the way you drive?

This article explains what you need to know before booking your first electric car test drive.

Where Can I Test Drive an Electric Car in Bedford or Bishop's Stortford?

If you live in Bedford, Bishop's Stortford or the surrounding areas, you can arrange an electric car test drive with Hilton Suzuki.

The Suzuki e Vitara is Suzuki's fully electric SUV and gives you the opportunity to experience electric driving without committing to buying an EV.

A test drive is particularly beneficial if you've never driven an electric car before. Reading about instant acceleration or regenerative braking doesn't give you the same understanding as experiencing these differences yourself.

You can book your test drive in advance, giving the dealership the opportunity to make sure the appropriate vehicle is available when you arrive.

Book a Suzuki e Vitara test drive

Why Should You Test Drive an Electric Car Before Buying One?

You should test drive any car before deciding if it's right for you, but it's especially important when moving from petrol, diesel or hybrid to fully electric.

The basic principles of driving remain the same, but an EV can feel quite different. There is no conventional engine noise and power is delivered immediately when you press the accelerator. There are no manual gear changes to think about either.

A test drive also allows you to find out if you actually enjoy driving the car. Specifications can tell you how large the battery is or how much boot space you have, but they can't tell you if the driving position feels comfortable or if you find the controls easy to use. Those are things you need to experience yourself.

What Does Driving an Electric Car Feel Like?

One of the most common questions from first-time EV drivers is simply: "What does it feel like?"

Electric cars are generally quiet and smooth because there isn't a petrol or diesel engine running under the bonnet. Acceleration also feels different. Electric motors can deliver power immediately, so the vehicle responds quickly when you press the accelerator. This doesn't mean you have to drive quickly. In normal everyday driving, it can simply make pulling away from a junction or joining a faster road feel effortless.

You'll also notice a difference when slowing down. Many electric cars use regenerative braking, which allows the vehicle to recover some energy as you reduce your speed. Depending on the vehicle and settings, you may feel the car slow more noticeably when you lift your foot from the accelerator. It can feel unfamiliar initially, but you'll usually start adapting to it during the test drive.

What Should You Test During an Electric Car Test Drive?

It's easy to spend a test drive concentrating entirely on the fact that you're driving a different car. Try to think about how it would fit into your normal life instead.

You might want to consider:

• How comfortable is the driving position?
• Can you see clearly when pulling out of junctions?
• Are the controls easy to understand?
• Does the car feel comfortable on roads you regularly use?
• Is there enough room for the people you normally carry?
• Would the boot work for your everyday requirements?

If possible, try the car on a mixture of roads. Town driving will give you an idea of how easy the vehicle is to manoeuvre, while a faster road allows you to experience acceleration at higher speeds.

You don't need to spend the entire test drive examining every feature. Concentrate on the things that affect how you use a car every day.

Should I Test Drive an Electric Car on Roads I Know?

If possible, yes. Driving on familiar roads makes it easier to compare an electric vehicle with the car you currently own.

If you know how your existing car feels over a specific stretch of road or around a familiar junction, you'll have a useful point of comparison. This can be helpful around Bedford and Bishop's Stortford, where your usual driving may include a mixture of urban roads and faster routes.

You can also pay attention to the situations you experience regularly.

How easy is the vehicle to park? How does it feel in slower traffic? Would you be comfortable using it for your commute?

These everyday considerations may tell you more than driving along a route chosen purely to demonstrate the vehicle.

What Questions Should I Ask During an Electric Car Test Drive?

A good electric car test drive shouldn't just involve being handed the keys.

Use the opportunity to ask questions.

If this is your first EV, there may be aspects of ownership you're unsure about. Charging is an obvious example.

Ask how you would charge the car at home and what happens when you're travelling longer distances. You may also want to understand the difference between home and public charging.

Range raises other common questions. Rather than simply asking for the maximum official range, explain how you use your car. Someone driving 20 miles per day has very different requirements from somebody regularly travelling several hundred miles.

The dealership should be able to talk through those differences without assuming an EV is automatically right for you.

How Long Should an Electric Car Test Drive Be?

There isn't one test-drive length that's right for everybody. The important thing is having enough time to get past the initial novelty of driving an electric vehicle.

The first few minutes may be spent adjusting to the quieter drive or different braking feel. Once you've settled in, you can start concentrating on the things that will matter during ownership.

If you have certain requirements, mention them when arranging your appointment. For example, you may want to make sure you can comfortably get children into the rear seats. You might need to check accessibility or see if the boot can accommodate something you regularly carry such as golf clubs.

Don't feel awkward about checking these things. A test drive is there to help you decide if the vehicle works for you.

Do I Need to Understand EV Charging Before a Test Drive?

No. You don't need to become an expert on electric vehicle charging before you get behind the wheel. In fact, the test drive is a good opportunity to ask the questions you've been struggling to find the answer to online.

If you have a driveway or private parking, ask what would be involved in charging the vehicle at home. You can also discuss how frequently you might need to charge based on your mileage. If you don't have access to home charging, be open about that too.

An electric car can still work without a home charger, but you'll be more reliant on public or workplace charging.

Our guide to How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car at Home in the UK? explains home charging and typical running costs in more detail.

Not Sure If an Electric Car Is Right for You?

You don't have to decide before booking a test drive. You may simply be curious about electric cars and want to understand how one would fit into your life.

Before or after your test drive, you can also complete Hilton Suzuki's free EV Suitability Assessment.

The assessment asks 10 quick questions about how you drive and provides a personalised result to help you understand whether an electric vehicle could suit your lifestyle. It’s useful if you're unsure about your mileage or charging arrangements.

What Is the Suzuki e Vitara Like to Test Drive?

The Suzuki e Vitara is a good introduction to electric driving because many aspects of the vehicle will still feel familiar if you're moving from a petrol or hybrid SUV.

It has an automatic setup, so there are no manual gear changes to think about. Electric power provides smooth acceleration, while the raised driving position gives you the SUV driving position many motorists prefer. Suzuki describes the e Vitara as offering instant acceleration with simple, intuitive controls.

The current e Vitara range includes different battery and drivetrain options, so it's worth discussing how you drive before deciding which version may suit you.

Rather than concentrating solely on the specification during your test drive, think about how the vehicle feels. Can you imagine driving it to work every day? Would it suit your family? Does the electric driving experience feel comfortable?

Explore the Suzuki e Vitara

Should I Test Drive More Than One Electric Car?

If you're considering several models, yes. There is nothing wrong with comparing different electric vehicles before making a decision.

Different manufacturers take different approaches to seating positions and interior layouts. The way the vehicle drives can vary too.

Testing more than one car can help you identify what you actually value rather than relying entirely on reviews. The same applies if you're undecided between electric and hybrid.

If you're genuinely unsure which type of vehicle suits you, say so. A conversation should help you understand the differences rather than push you towards a particular answer.

Our Is an Electric Vehicle Right for Me? guide can also help you consider the wider questions around mileage and charging.

Can I Test Drive an Electric Car Without Committing to Buy?

Yes. Booking a test drive doesn't mean you've agreed to buy the vehicle. The purpose is to find out whether the car is right for you.

That’s important with electric vehicles because some drivers are interested in EV ownership but haven't yet decided if they're ready to make the switch. You may finish the test drive convinced that electric suits you. You could also decide that hybrid is a better option for your current circumstances.

The test drive should give you more information to make your decision rather than make the decision for you.

Electric Car Test Drive FAQs

Where can I test drive an electric car in Bedford?

You can arrange a test drive of the Suzuki e Vitara at Hilton Suzuki Bedford in Clapham. Booking in advance is recommended so the team can confirm vehicle availability.

Where can I test drive an electric car near Bishop's Stortford?

Hilton Suzuki Bishop's Stortford offers Suzuki e Vitara test drives. You can arrange your appointment in advance and speak to the team about any questions you have around electric ownership.

Do I need to book an electric car test drive?

Booking ahead is recommended. It allows the dealership to confirm that the model you're interested in is available and ready for your appointment.

What do I need to bring to an EV test drive?

Ask the dealership what identification or documentation they require when arranging your appointment. Requirements can vary, so checking beforehand avoids any problems when you arrive.

Can I test drive an EV if I've never driven an electric car before?

Yes. You don't need previous EV experience. Let the dealership know it's your first time driving electric so they can explain anything unfamiliar before you set off.

Book an Electric Car Test Drive in Bedford or Bishop's Stortford

Research can answer plenty of questions about electric cars, but it can't tell you what one feels like from the driver's seat. A test drive gives you the opportunity to experience electric driving for yourself and decide how comfortably it fits into your everyday life.

Hilton Suzuki offers Suzuki e Vitara test drives at its Bedford and Bishop's Stortford dealerships. You can experience the car on the road and ask the team about any aspects of electric ownership you're still unsure about. You don't need to have decided that your next car will be electric before you visit.

If you're considering an EV and want to find out if it could work for you, a test drive is a great next step.

Click here to book a Suzuki e Vitara test drive at Hilton Suzuki Bedford or Bishop's Stortford.