How much to live on

Organgrinder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81990831#Comment_81990831

Hope everything heals well. Different circumstances to you, but Mrs O broke her ankle in October last year. She had the wheelchair, the boot, crutches etc too. Fortunately she can now walk unaided but it's still painful and a relatively slow pace. Good luck with your recovery.

Organgrinder

Ok here's the EV update since getting my charger installed 2 weeks ago.

Charges done - 3

kWh used - 60

Cost to charge £4.20

Miles done 265

Miles per kwh 4.42

Cost per mile 1.59p

Effective miles per gallon 446 based on current local fuel price

Equivalent cost per gallon assuming 50mpg - 80p

Savvy_Sue

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993283#Comment_81993283

I'm finding this more useful than I expected. Our car died on Friday, and may not be worth repairing. DH has been uncertain about the charging infrastructure being sufficiently robust, so had intended to wait a couple more years before changing it.

We need something small, but not too small, most days it's local journeys but round trip of 300 miles twice a month. We can fit a charger at home.

Your experience may help us bite the bullet.

Organgrinder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993857#Comment_81993857

Honestly I was an EV sceptic. The charging. The initial cost. The range. Etc etc.

To my surprise for everyday use you simply (so far) can't fault them.

I rarely do any round trips of more that 130 miles though. In guess for you, you'll need one with a decent range or the safety of a fast charge point half way.

I have a 250 mile round trip to do in October. Before it would have terrified me. Now it's just a job to do when I reach my destination.

infj

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993857#Comment_81993857

My brother bought a Hyundai Inster, small EV but extremely roomy inside. He loves it. I'm thinking about getting a Honda Super-N (even smaller)but it's not yet available so don't know really what it will be like yet.

Savvy_Sue

Thanks both.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993937#Comment_81993937

We'd be relying on motorway (or just off) services for charging. And by the amount of work going on to add chargers at the services we stop at regularly, I do think it's less of a problem than DH anticipates.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81994376#Comment_81994376

Useful. Two siblings have had the Honda Jazz (one a multiple repeat customer!) and I've liked it. We've had two Toyotas on the trot and have liked them both. Even if we went for a petrol engine again, we'd much prefer an automatic. Hybrid unlikely to be good for us because we make so many short journeys. Decisions, decisions. We hate car-buying …

QrizB

We need something small, but not too small, most days it's local journeys but round trip of 300 miles twice a month. We can fit a charger at home.

Something like a 64kWh Kia Soul might suit you. Small but not too small, 200+ mile range so you'd only have to charge once on your 300-mile trip.

Or the 64kWh e-Niro, if the Soul styling doesn't work for you.

Savvy_Sue

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81994502#Comment_81994502

I am very out of touch with cars. Do either of these compare to a Toyota Yaris? We decided the Aygo was too small …

QrizB

Both a bit bigger than a Yaris.

Example Kia Soul, about 4.2 metres long:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603100560003

Example Niro, about 4.4 metres long:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604231811929

This Yaris is 3.9 metres long (previous models were a bit shorter):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604181665970

(All offered as examples of the type only, I am on no position to say whether any of those cars would be a good buy!)

middlewife

I've got an e niro, love it, reasonably high off the ground without being ridiculously large. Will do a 200 mile trip no problem. Next week doing Reading - Worcestershire - Cornwall - Reading in it. Not using motorway services but farm shops and garden centres and the odd pub to charge at. Quite a few super hubs springing up just off motorways now, so a lot easier....