30kw Leaf or i3REX?

[A900ss]

Looking at getting an EV for a genuine 50 mile each way commute and no charging at work.

So the car needs to do 100 miles on its own energy.

Budget about £15k so I’m looking at either a 30kw Leaf or an early i3 REX.

I’ve read issues with the early REX’s and am worried about large bills.

Not too worried about the driving experience as I have a TVR for sunny Sunday’s.

Just need transport.

Feedback on either cars welcome.

Thanks

[Kolbenkopp]

Only theoretical knowledge, but IMO the REx is designed more for occasional use. The motorcycle engine they pulled from the parts shelf isn't that efficient and would likely make a dent in the overall running costs. Clever system, but I think not ideal for your use case and of course more stuff to go wrong.

No way to get work to set up charging? It's good PR for the company and subsidies might make it easier to convince them?

[SimpleSimonSays]

What sort of roads / speed?

I’ve got a 30kWh Leaf and you’ll be pushing it to do 100 miles at 50+ in the cold weather.

Is there anywhere you could stop on the way back and top up for 15 minutes at a rapid charger, if you can’t persuade work to put in a charger?

[Mr E]

As above. Cold weather and motorway speeds would make that commute very borderline I’m afraid. 40kw would give you some margin.

[vladcjelli]

Wouldn’t try it with less than 40kw, not worth the stress.

Try leasing?

https://leasing.com/independent-brokers/fleetprice...

[Otispunkmeyer]

Kia Soul EV?

Some find the looks challenging, but they’re fairly cheap second hand! It might squeak 100 miles but you’d be close to the cloth. Sure you can’t even granny charge?

Also

Google search for EV-database UK. They have some pretty realistic consumption numbers for most cars in summer and winter and over different type of driving. So you can do a little maths with the quoted usable battery capacity.

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Friday 29th November 19:46

[A900ss]

Thanks all.

A roads each way at about 50 mph.

Do leafs still make you lease the battery or are the 30kw secondhand cars mostly battery owned? Thanks.

[motco]

Two miles per kWH in winter seems to be common. My 24kWh Leaf struggles to make more than 30 miles in two or three interrupted runs with some after-dark time, from an 80% charge down to warnings of low battery and 13% remaining. It has all 12 bars and c.86% SOH,

[LasseV]

4th gen Plug in Prius? It is very efficient and reliable car.

Yaris Hybrid and Lexus CT200h are also cheap, high mpg vehicles for commuting.

[Mr E]

A900ss said:

Thanks all.

A roads each way at about 50 mph.

Do leafs still make you lease the battery or are the 30kw secondhand cars mostly battery owned? Thanks.

Not sure many leafs are battery lease.
Lots of Zoe’s were, but I was offered a bunch of 2013-2016 cars that were battery owned.

[EddieSteadyGo]

A900ss said:

Budget about £15k so I’m looking at either a 30kw Leaf or an early i3 REX.

I have a 30kwh leaf as our run-about car. Personally I wouldn't consider using it to do a 100 mile round-trip on a daily basis.

For the vast majority of occasions, it would be absolutely fine. But on a cold, wet day where you come across traffic problems and you get sent on any kind of detour, it could be difficult.

I'd look to up your budget to around £20k to get the 40kwh Leaf version or a bit more to get the 42kwh i3.

[gangzoom]

30kWh Leaf wouldn't do 100 miles in winter, not unless your using no heating and doing 50mph.

[SimpleSimonSays]

Is it going to be possible to nip out at lunchtime and charge the car up at a rapid charger?

Have a look on Zap Map and see where the nearest rapid is to wherever you’re based. 20 minutes should give you enough juice to get back home again. Not as convenient as being able to charge at work, especially if someone’s already at the charger, but could this work?

[A900ss]

SimpleSimonSays said:

Is it going to be possible to nip out at lunchtime and charge the car up at a rapid charger?

Have a look on Zap Map and see where the nearest rapid is to wherever you’re based. 20 minutes should give you enough juice to get back home again. Not as convenient as being able to charge at work, especially if someone’s already at the charger, but could this work?

I’ve just found out they are installing chargers at work. Until then (a couple of months), as you suggest, it can be a quick top up at lunchtime on a local charger for 10 minutes.

We put the deposit down on a 30kw Leaf yesterday and collect next week. We looked at an i3 REX but the boot was very small and we have a large dog.

Thanks all.

[nickpan]

I have a 2016 I3 Rex. I’ve driven all over the UK in it using the Rex.

I get 60-80 miles on a full charge depending on weather.

The Rex can add up to another 70-110 miles and costs £9 to fill up.

So you’d be charging up every night and in a petrol station at least twice a week - assuming no other journeys.

[nickpan]

A900ss said:

I’ve just found out they are installing chargers at work. Until then (a couple of months), as you suggest, it can be a quick top up at lunchtime on a local charger for 10 minutes.

We put the deposit down on a 30kw Leaf yesterday and collect next week. We looked at an i3 REX but the boot was very small and we have a large dog.

Thanks all.

Just seen this - enjoy the Leaf!

[SimpleSimonSays]

A900ss said:

I’ve just found out they are installing chargers at work. Until then (a couple of months), as you suggest, it can be a quick top up at lunchtime on a local charger for 10 minutes.

We put the deposit down on a 30kw Leaf yesterday and collect next week. We looked at an i3 REX but the boot was very small and we have a large dog.

Thanks all.

Excellent, enjoy. I’ll be interested to see how you get on with the dog. I need to fashion some kind of platform for our Leaf so she doesn’t have to sit in the well of the boot on the subwoofer...

[A900ss]

Same here!!! It has the Bose upgrade and we have a Labrador.

Happy with our family garage now to cover all bases.

An auto diesel estate for high miles/high speed work.
An EV for sub 100 mile days
A V8 convertible for sunny Sunday's.

Now to change to Octopus Go energy tariff and pay 5p/kw charging at night. Or about 1.5p/mile in fuel codes vs 11p for the diesel estate and god knows cost per mile of the V8!

Thanks all

[Mr E]

A900ss said:

Now to change to Octopus Go energy tariff and pay 5p/kw charging at night. Or about 1.5p/mile in fuel codes vs 11p for the diesel estate and god knows cost per mile of the V8!

Thanks all

For £50 back if you switch to octopus.
https://share.octopus.energy/wise-llama-336

(I’ll get the same - which would probably be about 4000 miles of leaf action @5p/kW)

I know how far £50 would get my V8.

Edited by Mr E on Sunday 1st December 12:12

[A900ss]

Mr E said:

For £50 back if you switch to octopus.
https://share.octopus.energy/wise-llama-336

(I’ll get the same - which would probably be about 4000 miles of leaf action @5p/kW)

I know how far £50 would get my V8.

Edited by Mr E on Sunday 1st December 12:12

Thanks but I’m already on Octopus but the Agile tariff so can’t use referrals.