EV Discussion thread

Grumpy_chap

dave23 said:

Next year I am looking to retire and will need to replace my 13 year old diesel and I am thinking an EV would be perfect. I think I would probably drive max 5000 miles a year if retired with my longest regular round trip of 100 miles to visit grandchildren so most trips would be within the cars range and I would fit a home charger.

I would love a Tesla model 3 but do you think that is overkill for the miles and considering the likely insurance costs? I am not buying new but max 3 years old. I used to think a Leaf would be suitable but not sure now due to the charging infrastructure if we did want to travel further. Or would an MG4 Trophy be a better solution?

With that use profile, you really are spoilt for choice with the EV options available.

I have a TM3 and also looked at the MG range.  The MG range were very nice cars but, when push came to shove, the TM3 ended up very close in price (brand new), so be careful to look at prices however you decide.  Also check the safety ratings (NCAP) for the cars you review.

My brother has a BMW i3 and, based on his experience, that would meet your needs.

I would also look at the e-C4

silvercar

Grumpy_chap said:

dave23 said:

Next year I am looking to retire and will need to replace my 13 year old diesel and I am thinking an EV would be perfect. I think I would probably drive max 5000 miles a year if retired with my longest regular round trip of 100 miles to visit grandchildren so most trips would be within the cars range and I would fit a home charger.

I would love a Tesla model 3 but do you think that is overkill for the miles and considering the likely insurance costs? I am not buying new but max 3 years old. I used to think a Leaf would be suitable but not sure now due to the charging infrastructure if we did want to travel further. Or would an MG4 Trophy be a better solution?

With that use profile, you really are spoilt for choice with the EV options available.

I have a TM3 and also looked at the MG range.  The MG range were very nice cars but, when push came to shove, the TM3 ended up very close in price (brand new), so be careful to look at prices however you decide.  Also check the safety ratings (NCAP) for the cars you review.

My brother has a BMW i3 and, based on his experience, that would meet your needs.

I would also look at the e-C4

The i3 has rear doors that are too small and are hinged the ‘wrong’ way. I’d avoid on that basis alone, unless you never have need to use the rear seats.

Magnitio

@dave23 I'd agree that a Tesla is probably more car than you need and expensive to insure. As mentioned above, MG4 is a good option. 3/4 year old VW e-Golf is now about £10k and is great to drive, though range in cold weather is only just about 100 miles. VW ID3 (if it has been updated to the latest software) is now becoming a bargain secondhand. Citroen e-C4 is very comfortable and well liked, as is the Renault Megane e-tech. 

I think the biggest issue with new cars is the "safety" tech such as lane keeping assistance and speed limit warnings. This afflicts both EV's and ICE cars, but implementation varies considerably between manufacturers, so make sure you have a good test drive.

Reed_Richards

I drive a Mokka-e.  Nobody here recommends this model but I find it drives very nicely and you can sometimes find them for about the same price as the petrol engine version e.g. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404178726701

michaels

dave23 said:

Next year I am looking to retire and will need to replace my 13 year old diesel and I am thinking an EV would be perfect. I think I would probably drive max 5000 miles a year if retired with my longest regular round trip of 100 miles to visit grandchildren so most trips would be within the cars range and I would fit a home charger.

I would love a Tesla model 3 but do you think that is overkill for the miles and considering the likely insurance costs? I am not buying new but max 3 years old. I used to think a Leaf would be suitable but not sure now due to the charging infrastructure if we did want to travel further. Or would an MG4 Trophy be a better solution?

WE have Leafs because we were lucky enough to get on a V2H trial and so save a fortune using night rate (7.5p per kwh) electricity all day.  As mentioned above, values have plummeted (painful for us) making them a bargain now.

The lack of chademo chargers has never been a problem for us on our longer journeys but we do plan in advance.  I would say there were two bigger issues with Leaf charging - it is slow by modern standards (max 48kw fo rthe 40kwh battery or 72kw for the 62kwh model) and 'rapid gate' means that you only get good speeds on the first charge on each trip so if you are going more than twice the battery range in a day it can be a problem.  Going forward it is now possible to get an adaptor so you can charge on a CCS charger for just over £500 (and falling) but as I say never been an issue for us.

I have heard bad things about the stellantis cars (they all had the same 50kwh battery, e-mokka, e-corsa, peugeot e208 etc) suffering very badly with reduced range in cold wet conditions but this may now be resolved.

I would probably get some insurance quotes before ruling out the Tesla though

One 'amusement', my DKS are at learning to drive age, insurance of evs for them is 2 - 5 times as much as for the cheapest ICE cars (we are talking thousands a year) and it is possible to get a diesel car with £20 a year road tax whereas EVs will be at least £190 from next year. 

Martyn1981

I'd agree with everything said so far. I've suggested a 3(ish) year old 38kWh IONIQ to my sister as a first step into BEV transport. Based on our older 28kWh model, I'd suggest 150 miles should be pretty solid in poorer conditions, so well above the 100 required, and driven gently in good conditions the efficiency of these vehicles is great. Perhaps £12k(ish) from a dealer?

And if you aren't driving long miles every day, then I'd too not bother with a 'proper' charger but go with an outside socket and the granny charger. As mentioned, with a bit of planning, you can build up a full charge even if only using a cheap rate night tariff of say 5-7hrs. Just charge it up for several nights before the trip. The £1,000 saving will buy you ~60k miles at 7p/kWh.

Having enjoyed a BEV then for a few years, you could always change to something bigger, better, .... badder! .... as you'll then know what you want.

As suggested, check insurance quotes, I think our old IONIQ is roughly the same as the new(ish) Tesla Y. Tesla 3's are incredible cars, but for 5,000 miles pa, perhaps overkill, unless you enjoy driving and fancy an electric go-kart.

Lastly, I too think there are some great discounted bargains. Check Autotrader for new cars, and the Leaf, Corsa-e, E-208 and others, are available from low £20k.

The world is your oyster.

EricMears

michaels said:

 it is possible to get a diesel car with £20 a year road tax whereas EVs will be at least £190 from next year.

Not strictly true.   VED for an EV registered before 2017 will also be at the lowest rate (which I think will be £30 rather than £20 when first payment will be due).

Reed_Richards

Martyn1981 said:

...Lastly, I too think there are some great discounted bargains. Check Autotrader for new cars, and the Leaf, Corsa-e, E-208 and others, are available from low £20k.

Others like the Mokka-e; don't forget that one!

Martyn1981

Reed_Richards said:

Martyn1981 said:

...Lastly, I too think there are some great discounted bargains. Check Autotrader for new cars, and the Leaf, Corsa-e, E-208 and others, are available from low £20k.

Others like the Mokka-e; don't forget that one!

Yep, after I posted I went and looked for Mokka-e's as I hadn't checked before, and was surprised that they too start in the low £20k's. Lots of options for Dave, and fun ahead.

silverwhistle

Another vote for the MG4 and in my case the SE model which suits me and recently got me to Italy and back with no issues with range.

I haven't kept up with other available models and when I first got interested there were only the Leaf and Zoe available (ignoring the more expensive cars..). Either way plenty of fun test drives to be had!