Private T8

[OV4]

I bought my XC60 T8 privately. Having moved to London recently I wanted a car capable of driving electrically, but that had a petrol engine too (I have no off road parking or anywhere to charge regularly / conveniently). If still living in Lincolnshire (I did very little urban driving) I’d have been drawn to a T5 or maybe a BMW X3 with a six cylinder engine.

[tabber]

Yep, mine isn't a company car. it was a year old when I bought it though, new ones were just too pricey. Why did I buy it??

1. We do a lot of short journeys and old D5 XC90 was only getting 25mpg, the T8 should be a lot better being Hybrid (It is, we get about 60mpg)
2. We live inside the south circular in London, and the extension of the T-charge zone next year (if it happens) means your car has to be Euro 6 compliant or you pay £13 a day. Discount for residents only for the first year, so we had to replace the car sooner or later anyway.
3. The performance figures of the T8 looked amazing, and not been disappointed. It's so much more fun to drive than the D5.
4. As mine is the 2017 model, road tax is free, so saves £500 a year.
5. Things are moving the way of EVs, Diesels are being squeezed more every year. I know the new D5 is Euro 6 compliant, but only a matter of time before it becomes Euro 7, then 8, then banned altogether. Also, I suppose we wanted to feel like we were doing a little bit to reduce urban pollution. Most of our journeys are around residential streets in a fairly built up area. Not trying to pull the whole holier than thou card, but it is a nice feeling driving around knowing the people walking along the pavements aren't breathing in your Diesel fumes.

Not sure I will ever buy a non-hybrid or non-EV again, which I didn't necessarily think when I bought it. It gets into your head :-)