Affordable electric cars
Discussion
Renault Zoe fits that bill quite well. Kia Soul EV has been around for a couple of years.
VW E-Up coming soon too
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/insider/electric-...
VW E-Up coming soon too
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/insider/electric-...
Edited by Smiljan on Saturday 29th September 14:29
The biggest factor in the high cost of EVs is economies of scale. They're being built and bought in very small quantities compared to ICE vehicles. When EV sales increase, so will choice. Prices will then fall. All these points are only a matter of time - just see what the EV market's like in 5 years' time.
They certainly aren't down to the £12-£15k that you'll pay for a Fiesta but at £18k and a lot of money to be saved on fuel, the Zoe at £18k isn't far off.
The Leaf, being a bit bigger is perhaps comparable to the Golf/Focus but as you've seen, it also costs a fair whack more than those two examples. Again, you need to take the fuel savings into account and also note that the Leaf is extremely well equipped. I'd have a £27k Leaf over a £20k Golf all day long.
As mentioned above though, I reckon we're looking at a £12k EV with a real-world 200 mile range within the next five years. That will be a massive game changer because the fuel cost savings will virtually pay for the car. Who'd buy an ICE when the EV is effectively free in comparison?
Finally, I'm afraid to say that once EVs are prevalent on our roads we will undoubtedly be looking at road pricing. How it will be implemented is another matter. I can't see every single road ever being covered by ANPR cameras and I don't think any government would force people to have trackers fitted to cars. Another discussion altogether of course.
The Leaf, being a bit bigger is perhaps comparable to the Golf/Focus but as you've seen, it also costs a fair whack more than those two examples. Again, you need to take the fuel savings into account and also note that the Leaf is extremely well equipped. I'd have a £27k Leaf over a £20k Golf all day long.
As mentioned above though, I reckon we're looking at a £12k EV with a real-world 200 mile range within the next five years. That will be a massive game changer because the fuel cost savings will virtually pay for the car. Who'd buy an ICE when the EV is effectively free in comparison?
Finally, I'm afraid to say that once EVs are prevalent on our roads we will undoubtedly be looking at road pricing. How it will be implemented is another matter. I can't see every single road ever being covered by ANPR cameras and I don't think any government would force people to have trackers fitted to cars. Another discussion altogether of course.
Smiljan said:
Renault Zoe fits that bill quite well. Kia Soul EV has been around for a couple of years.
VW E-Up coming soon too
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/insider/electric-...
Even after the £5K government contribution the electric Up is to be priced at almost £20K and £7K more than the petrol version. VW E-Up coming soon too
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/insider/electric-...
Edited by Smiljan on Saturday 29th September 14:29
£20k is well in the affordable new car ballpark now. I don't think we'll see budget (ie under £10k) EV's for a while as the battery price is currently too high for that to happen.
I know what you mean though, you can buy plenty of cheap runaround types for a lot less than the cheapest EV's at the moment.
The other thing that's struck me is the government grants. They need to stop, we shouldn't be using tax payers money to fund foreign car manufacturers profits. If they can't sell without a grant then tough. Any grants should be used only to improve EV infrastructure.
I know what you mean though, you can buy plenty of cheap runaround types for a lot less than the cheapest EV's at the moment.
The other thing that's struck me is the government grants. They need to stop, we shouldn't be using tax payers money to fund foreign car manufacturers profits. If they can't sell without a grant then tough. Any grants should be used only to improve EV infrastructure.
I've never leased/borrowed to buy a car in 28 years. I'm not rich and I've driven some junk mind you !
but I did lease our leaf, purely to try it/not get stuck with a lemon.
It's cost £500 down and £205 for a 30kwh tekna.
my fuel/servicing/MOT/running costs are so little, you simply couldn't drive for less, unless you get lucky with a £1000 shed I guess.
but I did lease our leaf, purely to try it/not get stuck with a lemon.
It's cost £500 down and £205 for a 30kwh tekna.
my fuel/servicing/MOT/running costs are so little, you simply couldn't drive for less, unless you get lucky with a £1000 shed I guess.
SCEtoAUX said:
They certainly aren't down to the £12-£15k that you'll pay for a Fiesta but at £18k and a lot of money to be saved on fuel, the Zoe at £18k isn't far off.
Unless things have changed since this time last year. Then battery hire/lease will not make an EV cheaper to run than a diesel car of the same size. The more miles you do a year the worse it gets for the EV.austinsmirk said:
I've never leased/borrowed to buy a car in 28 years. I'm not rich and I've driven some junk mind you !
but I did lease our leaf, purely to try it/not get stuck with a lemon.
It's cost £500 down and £205 for a 30kwh tekna.
my fuel/servicing/MOT/running costs are so little, you simply couldn't drive for less, unless you get lucky with a £1000 shed I guess.
I am on the same deal, when my PCP is up in May next year I am screwed though as prices have gone through the roof. They were so cheap because nobody wanted them. I don't want to own an EV outside of the warranty period so will hand it back. but I did lease our leaf, purely to try it/not get stuck with a lemon.
It's cost £500 down and £205 for a 30kwh tekna.
my fuel/servicing/MOT/running costs are so little, you simply couldn't drive for less, unless you get lucky with a £1000 shed I guess.
300bhp/ton said:
That's pretty good.
How much is battery hire out of interest? And I assume that is a lease deal, so you won't own the car at the end?
No battery hire. That’s the entire car. How much is battery hire out of interest? And I assume that is a lease deal, so you won't own the car at the end?
PCP, I’ll need to pony up just over 4K at the end if I want to keep it.
The maths boils down to it being an 8.5k car. At 2 years and 18k miles old.
Mr E said:
No battery hire. That’s the entire car.
PCP, I’ll need to pony up just over 4K at the end if I want to keep it.
The maths boils down to it being an 8.5k car. At 2 years and 18k miles old.
Very interesting thanks. PCP, I’ll need to pony up just over 4K at the end if I want to keep it.
The maths boils down to it being an 8.5k car. At 2 years and 18k miles old.
I've not looked at used EV's. Are they really that cheap as a rule then? Was it through a main dealer. Think I might go and have a look.
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