What's the problem with electric cars?

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by baggy798

hOW'S THAT NEW SUBARU, ALRIGHT IS IT?!??

It’s lovely mate, a nice drive and surprisingly economical. It misses that Volvo finess but it’s a close second I’d reckon.

TT

[Existential Crisis]

Originally Posted by GMcL

Of course it meets the requirements to be sold as does Diet Coke, doesn't mean it's good for you. Drink 2l of soda/week reportedly causes a 20% increase in the chance of an irregular heartbeat. It's still legal and meets all current requirements for general sale.

Interesting you compare a car on its last knockings Vs a new model for the worst car to buy:
https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/dacia/spring/44197

Here's another car on its last knockings:
https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/ford/focus/33017

Edit: my point being, I know diet Coke is not a car, if the standards did the job why does euroNCAP exist and why do people give it a second thought ?

I don't.

[Kev0607]

I've been looking at electric cars. Now I know they have problems of their own like range and not being able to charge them easily because the charging points are broken or don't exist, but for short local trips (which is what I do), maybe one of those might suit better? I can charge it at home and there's plenty of chargers around locally anyway that actually work. I know this isn't the case everywhere as we well know, but its not so bad here.

Currently, I do around 2,000-3000 miles a year. I know people will say why do you have a diesel car doing that mileage, but I fell in love with the car when I seen it and I always give it motorway runs where possible and use quality fuel. Really though, I don't need a diesel.

I did a few calculations and watched a few videos, but I've always admired the Nissan Leaf (Tekna model). I know they're a funky looking thing, some may even call them ugly, but I actually like how they look. A Tekna model is really well specced with heated seats, leather interior, air con, cruise control, heated steering wheel, reversing camera to name but a few features. They also have a 5 star NCAP safety rating. Its basically better specced than the car I have now, being honest.

A Nissan Leaf costs approximately £1.70 to charge to full (if on a night time EV tariff at approx 7p per kw) - You'd do around 60-70 miles in warm weather on that, probably 40-50 in winter (24kw battery). I know that range isn't great, but to do 60-70 miles in my car around town would cost about £25/£30 in diesel.

Then there's the road tax. Mine is £365 a year, a Nissan Leaf is free this year, but it'll be £180 next year (EV's will be charged to be on the road like all other cars), but its still half the price. They aren't badly priced either, you can get a decent one for around £4,500-£5,000 with a good battery state of health (10/11 bars, out of the maximum 12 bars if you search a bit). That price figure would get me a 2015 plate with 60k on. Also running costs are minimal... no oil changes, cam belts, EGR valves or DPF's to worry about.

I follow a channel on YouTube where a chap has owned one for over 10 years and has done over 60,000 miles in it. He's spent £220 on it in that time in maintenance, which if I recall correctly was brake pads or handbrake shoes. He was over the moon with how good a car it has been, but it suits his needs as he doesn't do mega miles.

As I mentioned above, I know the range isn't great, but I can't afford a Tesla or one of the new cars that are coming out with improved range. The Leaf seems like a nice sized car... its not too big or not too small. Leg room in the back looks good. The boot is a bit small, but the seats can fold if needs be. I don't need a huge boot anyway being honest. So long as it can fit a bit of shopping in and my Sister's wheelchair (which is foldable), that'll do me.

[Whippy]

As always, if it suits your needs why not? It's when you have to change your needs to suit the car I gets all foot Stampy.

[GMcL]

Kev0607, for the usage you describe an EV would work well for you. The UK is almost ideal, neither too cold nor too hot. The few sub-zero days you get in the winter would be more a slight inconvenience than a blocker.

In 2020 when we got our EV we test drove most, if not all, the affordable cars at the time. The Leaf we tried I suspect had over inflated tyres, the ride was bouncy, never settled, and the steering required a turn or two more than I expected for roundabouts.

Depending on your passenger carrying/boot space needs I wouldn't discount the Renault Zoë. My wife, who the car was mainly for, liked it, the only downside was the rear seat, nobody over about 5' 7" would thank you. The seat is raised to make space for the battery. With the seat folded you have a good size boot.

We eventually came down to a choice between KIA Niro and Soul. The Niro was a bit dark and dingy in the back, my son preferred the Soul with more light and funky design. Yes, it's a marmite car/design, we bought ours when the three year PCP came to an end.
The reason for going KIA came down to battery capacity and range, not something you need from what you've written. We live in Germany and have been to Scotland with the EV. No issues, that was back in 2021 when charge station rollout was ramping up.

The pluses for us:
Convenient charging at home, I installed a 3P 22kW charger, unnecessary at the time a bit of future proofing from me.
Silent, smooth drive
Quick enough with 150kW (204PS) motor
Lower cost servicing, free road tax, tyre wear is no better or worse than previous ICE cars my wife has had. 215/55x17 tyres aren't expensive.

Downsides:
It's an SUV, I don't like them, the buffeting of crosswinds upsets the handling
Insurance is in the same class as my Focus ST

Get out and test drive a few and see what you think. Some you'll probably dismiss straight away for reasons best known to yourself others you'll come away thinking, yes, I could manage in one of those.

I'd like to read your thoughts if you do test drive any.

[Kev0607]

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to do a bit more research first and then I'll update you. Its just on the back burner for now, but its definitely something I'm thinking about based on the mileage I do.

I've looked at petrol's too, particularly Volvo's. Most are older than what I have now and they have big engines. I want better mpg, not worse and I want a newer car not older. The D5 is economical for a car of its size on a run, but around town, its heavy enough on diesel. That's to be expected, its a big car. I definitely don't want a car that is worse on fuel than I have now.

I've also looked at euro 6 diesel's, but really, I don't need one. I think that'll cause more problems than its worth. These cars need regular motorway runs to keep the DPF happy, so I'm kidding myself buying a newer diesel for the sake of higher mpg.

[Thekilt]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to do a bit more research first and then I'll update you. Its just on the back burner for now, but its definitely something I'm thinking about based on the mileage I do.

I've looked at petrol's too, particularly Volvo's. Most are older than what I have now and they have big engines. I want better mpg, not worse and I want a newer car not older. The D5 is economical for a car of its size on a run, but around town, its heavy enough on diesel. That's to be expected, its a big car. I definitely don't want a car that is worse on fuel than I have now.

I've also looked at euro 6 diesel's, but really, I don't need one. I think that'll cause more problems than its worth. These cars need regular motorway runs to keep the DPF happy, so I'm kidding myself buying a newer diesel for the sake of higher mpg.

I had a Leaf for a weekend test drive back in 2018 when i was dabbling in the idea for electric, and at the time coudlnt afford the Tesla. I had the newer edgier model at is was a nice car to drive, decent space but a few things i found a deal breaker for me. firstly i wasnt fond of the interior with the little circular drive selector. But the deal breaker for me was the windscreen pillar on the drivers side. With my driving position it was really obstrutive and quite frankly dangerous. Pulking out of junctions it is really rather wide and right in the way and i found myself bending around it. I would highly suggest test driving one first.

The other car i was thinking of but just couldnt bring myself to buying one was a prius. (sorry i said it!) not very fun to drive, but very economical. However for me, again the interior was shocking.

The other funky car to try in the BMW i3. very nice interiers, and suprisingly spacious. Boot wasnt great, but there is also the range extender version to bring some comfort to any range anxiety you may have.

[The Thong]

I had a look at the EX30 today. It’s a nice looking motor, interior is Spartan but weight saving is sparks saved. I quite like it and the range sounds respectable enough. The drivers seat was very comfy and the sitting position is nice. The B pillar seems to be almost in the way when getting out and I found the dash a bit low in the passengers side. I’d certainly consider one but living in a terraced street the charging for me would be an issue. The EX60 is next apparently so I’ll have a shufty at one of those when they land. Anyway, it’s gunna be three years away before I consider changing me car. Until then, I have a Subaru to play with.

TT

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Thekilt

I had a Leaf for a weekend test drive back in 2018 when i was dabbling in the idea for electric, and at the time coudlnt afford the Tesla. I had the newer edgier model at is was a nice car to drive, decent space but a few things i found a deal breaker for me. firstly i wasnt fond of the interior with the little circular drive selector. But the deal breaker for me was the windscreen pillar on the drivers side. With my driving position it was really obstrutive and quite frankly dangerous. Pulking out of junctions it is really rather wide and right in the way and i found myself bending around it. I would highly suggest test driving one first.

The other car i was thinking of but just couldnt bring myself to buying one was a prius. (sorry i said it!) not very fun to drive, but very economical. However for me, again the interior was shocking.

The other funky car to try in the BMW i3. very nice interiers, and suprisingly spacious. Boot wasnt great, but there is also the range extender version to bring some comfort to any range anxiety you may have.

I've also had a look at hybrid's, but the Prius is just woefully ugly in my opinion. Many say the Nissan Leaf is ugly, but I think the Prius takes that to another level (the older models especially). The newer ones look a bit better, but they're out of my price range.

[GMcL]

They finally, to my eyes, sorted the Prius styling for the 2023 car and decided they weren't going to sell it in the UK, then changed their mind, again.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota...-phev-pictures