Under 5k EVs

[ScoobyChris]

My good lady is making noises about wanting her own car (rather than driving mine all the time) and her requirements are that it needs to be auto and will do probably less than 20 miles a day. The light bulb popped up that this is EV territory and a quick search on Autotrader suggests that there are quite a few Leafs below £5k which seemingly fit the bill.

As such, I’m looking for a bit of advice. What should I be looking for when I view cars? What should I avoid? Is my 13A 3-pin socket in the garage going to be ok or do I need to budget for a proper charger too?

Of course this may all be moot when she prices up her new kitchen, but forewarned is forearmed

Thanks, Chris

[dave_s13]

Basically.

Yes.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024021064...

Something like that will fulfill and exceed your brief with no issues.

We've had both an early 2011 leaf and now have a newer 40kwh version. As a local runaround you cannot beat them.

[pearbo]

I have pretty much done this for my other half.

2016 30kwh leaf for 5ish k back in June. Honestly a brilliant car and is the default choice for any journey less than a 100 miles.

3 pin plug charges at 2.3kwh. So 20 miles of driving would take a little over 2 hours to recoup. Mine has the 6.6kw charger so 20-80% in 2 hours

I would be tempted to look at a Renault Zoe too if you do not need the extra size of the leaf. Ideally has to be battery owned if you can find it in budget.

Oh and if you are looking at leafs you need an OBD2 reader and leafspy to check the battery.

[Europa Jon]

Kia Soul - if you can get one for your budget. Very good cars, nice to drive.

[dave_s13]

I've owned all the above mentioned (Zoe,leaf,soil).

None are drivers cars but the Zoe was dreadful when pushed. Under steered too easily and the traction control then jumped in to shut power, and progress down very intrusively.

You won't get s Soil at this price so I'd stick to a leaf. You don't really even need leaf spy. As long as it's got 10 battery bars (absolute minimum) it'll do what the OP needs with ease ...the one I posted has 11bars....that's the ideal really.

[Driver101]

I'm not sure I'd be buying an old £5k EV.

I've read too many Leaf adverts admitting that their range is very low.

[JurassicGTS]

An early Leaf would suit you perfectly.
We have run a 30, 40 and 62kWh car and they are brilliant local run around and costs pence to use.
In fact I would say the first generation was my favourite, but maybe that was because it was our first EV.
The one posted above looks a beauty.

[pearbo]

dave_s13 said:

I've owned all the above mentioned (Zoe,leaf,soil).

None are drivers cars but the Zoe was dreadful when pushed. Under steered too easily and the traction control then jumped in to shut power, and progress down very intrusively.

You won't get s Soil at this price so I'd stick to a leaf. You don't really even need leaf spy. As long as it's got 10 battery bars (absolute minimum) it'll do what the OP needs with ease ...the one I posted has 11bars....that's the ideal really.

For the sake of a £20 OBD2 dongle I would highly advise against this. Battery bars can be faked.

The key is that leafspy will show if there are weak cell(s) in the pack. The dash can show it's 10 capacity bars but you get to 30% and the car suddenly goes into turtle mode to protect these weak cells.

All the leafs I looked at the seller had no problem with me plugging this in and if they don't it's an immediate red flag.

[ChocolateFrog]

You'll be fine on a 3 pin plug. As a minimum it's probably worth fitting an outside socket unless the car lives in the garage.

[ScoobyChris]

Thanks for all the replies and useful info!

Chris

[JurassicGTS]

pearbo said:

For the sake of a £20 OBD2 dongle I would highly advise against this. Battery bars can be faked.

The key is that leafspy will show if there are weak cell(s) in the pack. The dash can show it's 10 capacity bars but you get to 30% and the car suddenly goes into turtle mode to protect these weak cells.

All the leafs I looked at the seller had no problem with me plugging this in and if they don't it's an immediate red flag.

Agree, definitely do a Leaf Spy on any prospective purchase.

[KTMsm]

Has anyone worked out the basic cost / savings of an EV at this level ?

I'm looking at the same for my wife but she'll only be tempted if she's saving money currently in an SUV doing 28mpg circa 8k a year

[Scrimpton]

KTMsm said:

Has anyone worked out the basic cost / savings of an EV at this level ?

I'm looking at the same for my wife but she'll only be tempted if she's saving money currently in an SUV doing 28mpg circa 8k a year

You'll be saving about £1500 a year on fuel alone assuming 3 miles per kWh and charging on your drive at 7.5p per kWh. You can add road tax into that and servicing etc depending on what you have now.

[OutInTheShed]

Scrimpton said:

KTMsm said:

Has anyone worked out the basic cost / savings of an EV at this level ?

I'm looking at the same for my wife but she'll only be tempted if she's saving money currently in an SUV doing 28mpg circa 8k a year

You'll be saving about £1500 a year on fuel alone assuming 3 miles per kWh and charging on your drive at 7.5p per kWh. You can add road tax into that and servicing etc depending on what you have now.

And depreciation.

Leaves which were £5k two years ago can now be had for £3k.
12 year old cars with range dropping off quickly now.
Mate of mine has one, his paid for itself in a couple of years of commuting, keeping his Diesel estate for weekends.
If you have the drive space and can get cheap insurance, it's worth a thought as an 'extra car', if you do a lot of short trips.

[G-wiz]

These are available, for comfortably under 5k:

[SJfW]

G-wiz said:

These are available, for comfortably under 5k:

I found myself looking at these last night. I don’t know why but they just appeal more than a Leaf, guess it’s the quirkiness.

[KTMsm]

Scrimpton said:

You'll be saving about £1500 a year on fuel alone assuming 3 miles per kWh and charging on your drive at 7.5p per kWh. You can add road tax into that and servicing etc depending on what you have now.

My rate is flat 28p / kwh so I'd have to look into cheaper night rate but that will also increase the day rate

[LowTread]

Day rate for intelligent octopus is 29p ish.

[G-wiz]

SJfW said:

G-wiz said:

These are available, for comfortably under 5k:

I found myself looking at these last night. I don’t know why but they just appeal more than a Leaf, guess it’s the quirkiness.

And if one requires more je ne sais quoi, there is a Peugeout alternative also:

[Luke.]

How about pushing the budget a tiny bit to £6k and getting an i3. Probably one of the best cars I've had.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402066...