EV Discussion thread

70sbudgie

Martyn1981 said:

What sort of budget do you have in mind?

I think for 200 miles, even in worst case conditions, you should have lots of options.

Ideally the budget would avoid the premium car tax (ie under £40k), but I'm not going to move quickly (can wait to see if that changes at all at the end of the month) and there may be a chance I will be able to buy a new EV through a salary sacrifice. So I can be a bit flexible. I'd rather stretch the budget a little for the right car, than get one that isn't quite right within the budget. 

Martyn1981

At ~£40k you really have massive choice. Perhaps just manage a Tesla 3, and close to some of the discounts now on the massive Jaguar Ipace down £30k to around low £40k's.

Then, on Autrotrader you get to see so many cars at huge discounts into the mid/low £20k's - Corsa and Mokka E's, Peugeot E208, Nissan Leaf 40kWh (bit short of 200 miles), MG4.

Peugeot E308, Nissan Leaf 62kWh around £30k.

Loads of choice, so if you're happy to take your time, you can probably test loads and see what you really like.

70sbudgie

Probably a weird question, but how big are they, physically? I am definitely after what would be classed as a small family (electric) car. There are many occasions (mainly on the school run) when I am grateful for having a small car which allows me to park in places most other parents can't! My children are now tall enough not to need car seats, so I don't have to worry so much about rear seat headroom, which the Zoe was surprisingly great for. 

I think the Leaf is probably the biggest that I would like to go for. 

If £40k is too much for a smaller EV, I am more than happy to adapt down! My minimum size is based on not feeling too vulnerable on the motorway and being able to comfortably fit a ~5'6 adult in the back. 

silvercar

70sbudgie said:

Probably a weird question, but how big are they, physically? I am definitely after what would be classed as a small family (electric) car. There are many occasions (mainly on the school run) when I am grateful for having a small car which allows me to park in places most other parents can't! My children are now tall enough not to need car seats, so I don't have to worry so much about rear seat headroom, which the Zoe was surprisingly great for. 

I think the Leaf is probably the biggest that I would like to go for. 

If £40k is too much for a smaller EV, I am more than happy to adapt down! My minimum size is based on not feeling too vulnerable on the motorway and being able to comfortably fit a ~5'6 adult in the back. 

We have a Leaf and a Tesla. The Tesla feels is longer and wider. Shame because if you are doing a lot of motorway driving, I’m assuming you will want to charge away from home and the Tesla supercharger network is a definite plus.

70sbudgie

Nearly all my charging is at home, except for maybe one trip a month where I need to stop and charge. But as that is usually a 4 hour drive, I stop midway to recharge myself. So far I have done pretty well with type 2 EV chargers - although there aren't as many type 2 chargers, there also isn't much competition! And my Zoe can charge with. three phase type 2 ie up to 22kW. My next EV shouldn't really be a technological step backwards 

Edit to add that I like fast type 2 chargers because they are invariably cheaper.

Netexporter

I don't think 250kW charging is a step back.

silverwhistle

70sbudgie said:

I have also looked at the MG4(?) but was put off by the type 2 charger being limited to ~6kW.

You're right about the market having changed, certainly in the two years since I got my standard range MG4. Went to Italy in it this summer with no problems and in a day. Charged at open Tesla locations with no problem and the plug in the right position!

Coming from a Zoe you might miss the 22kW charging but to be honest I've never used AC out and about with this car, and there isn't much such provision in the UK anyway. More in France to be honest where the Zoe comes from.

Good handling with RWD, well within budget and worth at least a look; there are a few deals around at the moment.

70sbudgie

Netexporter said:

I don't think 250kW charging is a step back.

DC charging might not be a step back, but not being able to charge at the full 7.4kW on my home charger is. Or charge at up to 22kW on a public charger for cheap.

It makes sense that the Zoe is more suitable for EV charging infrastructure in France, but if the UK is going to really embrace EVs, across all demographics, we will need a lot more Type 2 chargers for the second hand EV market. (Imho) In the meantime time, I quite enjoy the lack of competition I have on the cheap (aka slow) public chargers. 

I would buy another Zoe (as long as they've sorted their safety issues for the version newer than mine), if it weren't for the dealers being so far away. (And the suspension durability). Because the size, range and charge speed all suit my use. 

70sbudgie

silverwhistle said:

70sbudgie said:

I have also looked at the MG4(?) but was put off by the type 2 charger being limited to ~6kW.

You're right about the market having changed, certainly in the two years since I got my standard range MG4. Went to Italy in it this summer with no problems and in a day. Charged at open Tesla locations with no problem and the plug in the right position!

Coming from a Zoe you might miss the 22kW charging but to be honest I've never used AC out and about with this car, and there isn't much such provision in the UK anyway. More in France to be honest where the Zoe comes from.

Good handling with RWD, well within budget and worth at least a look; there are a few deals around at the moment.

Are Tesla chargers now open in the UK?

Exiled_Tyke

There are about 70 Tesla chargers in the UK which are now open to non-Tesla cars. Off-peak they are about 50p/kWh. 

Also regarding the over £40k car tax, this is currently not applied to EVs. From next year the standard car tax will be applied but as things stand not the super-tax.  This could all change next week though.