More cheap electric car deals: Renault Zoe

gzoom

I've been looking at Renault Zoe deals today for my in-laws, I didn't quite realise just how cheap these deals are, infact they are even cheaper than the Leaf deals from when I bought my Leaf 6 months ago!!

Here are the numbers from one dealer.

This is based on 7,500miles per year.

£65 deposit, £75/month for the car and £80/month for battery hire + £200 of 'fee'. So over 2 years car payments will be = £3923!!!

Electricity for 15,000 miles, at 4 miles per kWh, and 12p per kWh = £450

£0 road tax, servicing will be £90/year.

So you TOTAL cost for 2 years = £4553!!....for a Brand New car

The Zoe also comes with sat nav/auto lights/bluetooth/parking camera....Your spend £1750 on fuel costs alone for a 'normal' petrol/diesel car assuming 40mpg/£1.10/L, before adding in purchase cost, running costs, deprecation

If I didn't have a Leaf already I'll be jumping at that deal, going to see one tomorrow with my in-laws after looking at an i3 today. And its very likely they are going to get one to replace their Mini - At these kind of prices, and if your journey/commute suits the range (70-100 miles), its crazy not to consider one.

http://www.dsg-renault.co.uk/model.php?type=cars&model=zoe

bigjl

Zoe has always been a bit cheaper than the Leaf I thought?

It's also a bit nicer to look at imho

The new Leaf coming soon is much nicer than the current one though.

WellKnownSid

Would be interested in feedback on the test drive... Very tempting at that price - 7,500 miles would cover the school run - we have other cars for the longer stuff. That's a good chunk of miles to run on electricity...

Only bizarre thing - reading the small print you need mobile phone coverage for the charge point to work??

Anyone know anything about this, our nearest mobile coverage is a half-hour drive from home...

gzoom

^^ The phone coverage is so that the charge point can send data back to OLEV - The government body funding the Chargers so that they can monitor usage to help plan longterm power grid demands. I think if needed to you can get them to connect a landline to the charger for it to send data back. I'm sure there's something in the document below on that:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/418525/electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme-guidance-for-customers-2015.pdf

WellKnownSid

Thanks that's v helpful - they won't be able to boost the signal and landline broadband is only 350-400kb/s so won't provide the minimum spec for mobile providers. Sounds like they just need a letter from the installer confirming this and they'll approve anyway...

deejaybee

Wish they would do similar deals on e-vans ( but with higher mileage allowance, say 15K )

Although major issue for me would be charging point as I live in a top floor flat ( 2 floors under ma ) would need a long cable :rotfl:

I am a courier doing around 300 miles per week, but max daily miles around 70.

bigjl

Have you looked into the ZE Kangoo?? And the ZE NV200??

And if there are any grants available

Because 70miles a day is easily doable if you can access a charger during the day surely?

You could also do a bit of research round your local area as they might be on street or even covered parking with charging facilities you can use

They have on street chargers in West London that some residents use overnight

deejaybee

Will have a look into it bigjl.

In my current circumstances think the stopper will be charging access.

Live in a very small town, could take years for the infrastructure to get here, if it ever does.

Shame in general as well as bus services are very limited in rural areas..

WellKnownSid

Speak to your council about getting infrastructure. There will no doubt be central government funds or at least brownie points to be had - and EVs are still a self-fulfilling prophecy regarding charging points. I.e. Why install charging points - no-one uses EVs here (well, they would if there were charging points!)

I noticed on holiday in England this year they seemed to be everywhere... With all the green energy up here you'd think they'd have points in every town and village but no...

Silly questions...
1. Do all EVs have a 13a trickle charge option... Most places have a 13a supply somewhere... Even friends and family.
2. Do all EVs work in all charging stations? Not talking about "for free" - can I - you know - pay money and buy electricity from any charging station for any EV or do I need the right type of plug / cable / etc and hence there are 15 manufacturers each with their own charging socket type?
3. How reliable are charging stations? Our nearest is currently over 60 miles away - but I've read it's hit and miss at to whether they work, some needing a "reboot". Nothing worse than being stranded 60 miles from home / 120 miles from your main dealer and being out of charging options.

gzoom

So did the test drive, slower than the Leaf, doesn't feel as solid, but great looking car.

Close to doing the deal, 2 year PCP, 7.5K PA, £500 despot, £160/month, and free home charger.

Just seeing if other dealers can do better, but if not, parent-in laws will be signing on the dotted line

gzoom

WellKnownSid wrote: »

Silly questions...
1. Do all EVs have a 13a trickle charge option... Most places have a 13a supply somewhere... Even friends and family.
2. Do all EVs work in all charging stations? Not talking about "for free" - can I - you know - pay money and buy electricity from any charging station for any EV or do I need the right type of plug / cable / etc and hence there are 15 manufacturers each with their own charging socket type?
3. How reliable are charging stations? Our nearest is currently over 60 miles away - but I've read it's hit and miss at to whether they work, some needing a "reboot". Nothing worse than being stranded 60 miles from home / 120 miles from your main dealer and being out of charging options.

1: Yes all EVs can trickle charge, but your need the relevant chargers for the car. My Leaf came with one, but the Zoe doesn't. Not sure about Tesla.

2: Virtually all cars can use the normal 'slow' chargers you find at supermarkets. The European standard is now set as 'Type 2', so from now all there will be unity. Rapid chargers more complicated. Nissan use a different type of rapid charger head. They are the most common ones on the service station because Nissan contributed alot to the installation costs. Only Tesla's can charge from Tesla supercharges.

3: Reliability of the rapid chargers have improved alot. 6 months ago its was almost 50:50 regarding working or not. Last 1 months though virtually every charger I've come across seems to be working. Tesla Superchargers rarely if ever become fault.

In my view you should be aiming to do most of your charging at home, that way you don't need to worry about using public chargers unless you have to. For those who cannot charge at home, public charger reliability is clearly an important issue.