Hybrid

Oneye12

We have a 2 year old Yaris and not my choice but happy with performance generally.
A self-charging hybrid, got neglected last year but this year getting used to it. Short journeys are no problem as they purposely don’t fully charge the batteries.

I just clock mileage on it - up to 1800 miles !

The only thing we have found is no one will fit a mobility scooter hoist (for folding scooters) in the rear.
As far as I can ascertain Toyota don’t want any external device connected to the 12vDC battery, as it apparently causes problems if the battery discharges too far.

born_again

Silverbird65 said:

Hi I am trying to decide re Yaris/corolla hybrid. I only do very short trips to shops 95% of the time. Anyone got experience of either re mpg etc. Much appreciated

How far are very short trips? 
Does your car do longer runs?

Grumpy_chap

Oneye12 said:

The only thing we have found is no one will fit a mobility scooter hoist (for folding scooters) in the rear.
As far as I can ascertain Toyota don’t want any external device connected to the 12vDC battery, as it apparently causes problems if the battery discharges too far.

In the hybrids, the 12V accessory battery is separate from the hybrid battery.  Quite possibly, because the 12V battery does not need to power the starter motor, the battery may have a very low capacity compared to a conventional ICE?

silverwhistle

born_again said:

How far are very short trips? 
Does your car do longer runs?

I think this is important information to help choose. I've got an MG EV which I haven't yet charged out on any trips (except to test) and I charge at various places. Today free at the supermarket - only about 13 miles as I didn't stay long plus some free from my solar panels. There may be a number of options to charge in your area: try Zapmap or Plugshare and if your mileage is that low they might suit your usage.

Certainly there would be none of the issues with ICE cars with low mileage and most EV cars will cope easily with the occasional  longer trip.

Silverbird65

My mileage is in the region 1200 give or take over year. Just short trip to shop twice a week . Occasionally trips out. Mostly local. I was thinking of the corolla which is more comfy.  I want to wait 3yrs to go EV give more time to develop  and more charging life etc.

Grumpy_chap

If you really do as few as 1,200 miles per year (and that was not a typo for 12,000) then an EV really would suit, even if you have to resort to charging on an extension lead from a 3-pin plug. Although, on that basis I don't understand the comment about waiting 3 years to go EV for more charging life.

Perfectly reasonable to choose the Corolla over the Yaris for increased comfort.

I suspect that depreciation over the next three years will be lower for an EV than an ICE (even hybrid).

As this is MSE, I do ask whether a brand new car is really justified and / or whether any car is justified?  Could UBER meet the need?  I am not saying not to have a car if it is what you want and you can afford, just putting other options to consider.

ElefantEd

You might consider an EV because not only would you would be able to use public charging points, and you would probably only need to charge once a week or so, if that, with that sort of mileage, but also there are now Charging point sharing schemes as eg. discussed in this article: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/may/22/electric-car-charger-home-share-co-charger-app so you could potentially find reliable, nearby places to charge where you were guaranteed a slot.
It does seem to me that for your type of journey, an EV would be highly suitable and I woudl certainly explore options to make this practical if I were you.

silverwhistle

Silverbird65 said:

My mileage is in the region 1200 give or take over year. Just short trip to shop twice a week .

You really don't need to wait for developments in EVs. I thought my mileage was low but yours is very, very low. Pick the car up full from the dealer and you are talking about not much more than an hour a week at my local supermarket free charger at 7Kw an hour! Then an occasional quick top up at a rapid charger would do you fine.

If this wasn't a mobility car most of us would be suggesting a bicycle or electric bicycle! :-) Have a look at one of the specialist EV sites for ideas (e.g. SpeakEV) and ignore some of the nutters: you'll soon work out the argumentative types you can safely ignore..

poppy12345

I realise it's a mobility car but is it really worth all that cost for just 1,200 miles a year? I have a mobility car myself and thought i did little mileage and mine is about 7,000 a year, although less of course since Covid.

BOWFER

At 1200 miles per year, I'm wondering if using taxis would be more cost effective.
Or a car club of some sort.
People doing this sort of mileage really need to think electric, or the Co2 they will be pumping out of their permanently cold cars will be horrendous.