Used EV questions
Discussion
Prices for used EVs are starting to look more attractive these days. I really like the look of either a BMW i3 or a Mini electric for up to say £15k. There's not much else that makes me want to change my current car.
But... I am something of a technophobe and do have reservations about making the switch.
If buying used, what's the best way to go about getting a home charger installed? My car is kept on the drive and the electricity meter is right next to where I park so I'd assume installation would be easy? Looking online I'm thinking something like Pod Point could be best and it'd be about £1k for an untethered 7kw charger. I'm guessing the car would come with the correct cable?
In terms of tariff, I'm with octopus and have a fixed dual fuel tariff until September. I'm probably stuck with that as there are heavy exit fees but then I could move to Octopus Go which looks good.
Would Pod Point allow me to charge overnight at a cheap rate? I'd probably only need to charge once a week as I do maximum 100 miles and never more than 40 miles in any one day. Other than that it would be useful if I could make the odd trip to visit my dad. Its 120 miles away and he lives in a flat so I'd need to use a public charger. Is that easy with an i3?
But... I am something of a technophobe and do have reservations about making the switch.
If buying used, what's the best way to go about getting a home charger installed? My car is kept on the drive and the electricity meter is right next to where I park so I'd assume installation would be easy? Looking online I'm thinking something like Pod Point could be best and it'd be about £1k for an untethered 7kw charger. I'm guessing the car would come with the correct cable?
In terms of tariff, I'm with octopus and have a fixed dual fuel tariff until September. I'm probably stuck with that as there are heavy exit fees but then I could move to Octopus Go which looks good.
Would Pod Point allow me to charge overnight at a cheap rate? I'd probably only need to charge once a week as I do maximum 100 miles and never more than 40 miles in any one day. Other than that it would be useful if I could make the odd trip to visit my dad. Its 120 miles away and he lives in a flat so I'd need to use a public charger. Is that easy with an i3?
I'd noticed the Ohme chargers on Octopus. Looks like the same price as Pod Point at £1k installed.
Is there an advantage to having it done by your existing energy supplier? Maybe it'd be easier to sort a new tariff.
I'm pretty sure I don't qualify fir anything towards the cost of a charger. Octopus mentions their scheme where you buy a new car or a salary sacrifice thing. Grants seem to be fir tenants or flat owners.
My thoughts are...
1. Test drive some EVs to see if I like them.
2. Organise the charger and tariff.
3. Buy car and enjoy.
Does that sound right?
Also, how does servicing work on a used EV? Main dealer only or can an indy do it?
Is there an advantage to having it done by your existing energy supplier? Maybe it'd be easier to sort a new tariff.
I'm pretty sure I don't qualify fir anything towards the cost of a charger. Octopus mentions their scheme where you buy a new car or a salary sacrifice thing. Grants seem to be fir tenants or flat owners.
My thoughts are...
1. Test drive some EVs to see if I like them.
2. Organise the charger and tariff.
3. Buy car and enjoy.
Does that sound right?
Also, how does servicing work on a used EV? Main dealer only or can an indy do it?
Nomme de Plum said:
I've got an i3S with 40k miles.
It hasn't needed a service yet.
The running gear can be serviced by an independent.
I have an Ohme charger on Octopus Intelligent
All good so far.
Good to know thanks.It hasn't needed a service yet.
The running gear can be serviced by an independent.
I have an Ohme charger on Octopus Intelligent
All good so far.
You could well be biased but... S or non S?
I like the way the S looks with those bigger wheels. Drawbacks are that on paper it's not really much quicker, has slightly less range and is a couple of grand more expensive like for like. I've read the ride suffers on the bigger wheels to.
But its an S so it has to be better surely?!
This looks nice..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023122250...
Or for a bit less money this..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024032679...
Or the Mini which I do quite like..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011856...
On balance though I think it'd be an i3.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023122250...
Or for a bit less money this..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024032679...
Or the Mini which I do quite like..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011856...
On balance though I think it'd be an i3.
We've had a level 3 MINI SE for just over 2 years and it is great as part of a multi car household. Real world range is only 100 miles + or - depending on season so be wary if this was to be your only vehicle.
One thing to check before you make the plunge is whether you can access beneficial low rate energy for charging overnight. Octopus is one of the best suppliers for this but you need to make sure you have a working smart meter to be able to get the variable tariffs.
One thing to check before you make the plunge is whether you can access beneficial low rate energy for charging overnight. Octopus is one of the best suppliers for this but you need to make sure you have a working smart meter to be able to get the variable tariffs.
We have had a level 2 Mini SE since we bought new in July 2022. We just charge at home from a 3 pin socket using Intelligent Octopus Go for 6 hours 11.30pm to 05.30 at 7.5p per kWh . Don’t feel the need to install a charger and the benefit of a slow charge is that Octopus will more often than not give extra cheap rate hours when I plug the car in. Our average unit rate is now at 17p pkwh.
An i3 isn't a bad entry into EV ownership. I went this route in 2021 with an i3S 94ah Rex. I loved the quirkiness and loved the instant power. Latterly the range began to frustrate me at less than 100 miles on a cold, wet, dark, winter day in Scotland. Whilst range anxiety was never an issue with the range extender, I felt using it on a regular basis defeated the purpose. As a result I was always too tight to turn the heating up (from a range perspective) and the cabin always felt cold.
It was never a comfortable car on the 20s, with a harsh crashy ride. In fact I burst a tyre on a pothole at New Year, first time ever. Also not as small a car as you might imagine, I struggled to reach the middle of the roof when washing it. That said very roomy and bright inside with the "moon" roof.
I waited months during lockdown for the right used spec to come and mine was a 2018 LCI car with leather, sun roof, sound system, reverse camera, wood etc. Made it a nice place to be, with physical buttons. After 2 years 9 months I recently chopped it in for a 2022 iPace HSE. A fantastic car and a lovely place to be.
If you happen to go for a Rex watch out for luxury car tax, as I think my last car tax bill was £540!!
With regards to chargers, I would recommend that you get a charger compatible with Octopus Go. Shortly after getting my Jag, they pulled the ability for Octopus to speak to the car and the Jag supplied Pod Point charger isn't compatible with Octopus Go either. The i3S was and had no issues. In fact I only ever charged that on a 3 pin plug.
I am sure once you have had a test drive on an EV you will be smitten.
It was never a comfortable car on the 20s, with a harsh crashy ride. In fact I burst a tyre on a pothole at New Year, first time ever. Also not as small a car as you might imagine, I struggled to reach the middle of the roof when washing it. That said very roomy and bright inside with the "moon" roof.
I waited months during lockdown for the right used spec to come and mine was a 2018 LCI car with leather, sun roof, sound system, reverse camera, wood etc. Made it a nice place to be, with physical buttons. After 2 years 9 months I recently chopped it in for a 2022 iPace HSE. A fantastic car and a lovely place to be.
If you happen to go for a Rex watch out for luxury car tax, as I think my last car tax bill was £540!!
With regards to chargers, I would recommend that you get a charger compatible with Octopus Go. Shortly after getting my Jag, they pulled the ability for Octopus to speak to the car and the Jag supplied Pod Point charger isn't compatible with Octopus Go either. The i3S was and had no issues. In fact I only ever charged that on a 3 pin plug.
I am sure once you have had a test drive on an EV you will be smitten.
ChrisH72 said:
Nomme de Plum said:
I've got an i3S with 40k miles.
It hasn't needed a service yet.
The running gear can be serviced by an independent.
I have an Ohme charger on Octopus Intelligent
All good so far.
Good to know thanks.It hasn't needed a service yet.
The running gear can be serviced by an independent.
I have an Ohme charger on Octopus Intelligent
All good so far.
You could well be biased but... S or non S?
I like the way the S looks with those bigger wheels. Drawbacks are that on paper it's not really much quicker, has slightly less range and is a couple of grand more expensive like for like. I've read the ride suffers on the bigger wheels to.
But its an S so it has to be better surely?!
It reminds me of my old 205 Gti with better acceleration but worse handling. With suspension sorted it could be the first EV hot hatch. It weighs about 1350kg which is not silly.
£15K should get you a good i3S 20/21 plate. I do not know about the mini other than the ICE version. IMO the i3s is better. It's carbon too.
With the i3 I'd go for the 42kw full electric one. Probably a better bet than a Mini as its about 120 miles up to see my dad and it'd be nice to be able to do that in one go without charging. That said, we do have another petrol car and my current car hasn't been used for that journey in the 4 years I've had it. Nice to have the option though.
We don't have an outside socket at the front so using a 3 pin plug is out. Besides I'd like to be able to fully charge overnight and the BMW is 6 hours with a 7kw charger. I'm guessing we'll need one eventually anyway.
I wasn't aware that different suppliers worked with different chargers. Does that mean that if you change energy supplier your old charge point won't work? And if its tethered, will the cable work on any EV or does it need changing if you change the car?
How does the i3S do on tyre wear? I noticed on Black Circles that the rear tyres on the 20 inch wheels are £250 each whereas the 19's are only £150.
We don't have an outside socket at the front so using a 3 pin plug is out. Besides I'd like to be able to fully charge overnight and the BMW is 6 hours with a 7kw charger. I'm guessing we'll need one eventually anyway.
I wasn't aware that different suppliers worked with different chargers. Does that mean that if you change energy supplier your old charge point won't work? And if its tethered, will the cable work on any EV or does it need changing if you change the car?
How does the i3S do on tyre wear? I noticed on Black Circles that the rear tyres on the 20 inch wheels are £250 each whereas the 19's are only £150.
stephenjk said:
"it'd be about £1k for an untethered 7kw charger. I'm guessing the car would come with the correct cable?"
Get a tethered charger you'll find it a hassle to keep getting the cable out. It is just much easier with a tethered charger and I don't think it is that much more.
This. Get a tethered charger you'll find it a hassle to keep getting the cable out. It is just much easier with a tethered charger and I don't think it is that much more.
Try to arrange the cable so that it isn't lying on the ground to get filthy and it's an easy job to plug in.
You will probably keep the charger for longer than the life of an electricity tariff, so pick the charger first.
The I3 is a better electric car than the Mini because it was a ground up EV design. The doors are a pain though if you regularly want adults in the back.
ChrisH72 said:
I wasn't aware that different suppliers worked with different chargers. Does that mean that if you change energy supplier your old charge point won't work? And if it’s tethered, will the cable work on any EV or does it need changing if you change the car?
Any charger will work with any energy supplier - but there are some “smart” tariffs which will only work with particular vehicles or particular chargers. Octopus Intelligent is a great smart tariff for EV owners. Even if you have a compatible vehicle it’s worth having a compatible charger for future proofing - and that means an Ohme, Zappi or Wallbox. An Ohme charger should cost you the same to install as a Podpoint.All sounds good thanks.
I quite like Octopus. Been with them a while now and they've been good to deal with. My only slight mistake was taking a 12 month fix last September which has turned out to be more expensive and I don't think there's much I can do until that ends. But that was my choice so not their fault. I'll give them a ring to discuss the options but will probably get them to install the Ohme charger which looks like the same price as Pod Point.
I'm in no rush so it might be closer to September anyway. Need to go and test cars first.
Another thick question. I'm guessing using a public charger is much like getting petrol as in plug in and pay by card? Last night I googled local chargers. There aren't many but it does seem to tell you if they are currently available and what the charges are. The fast charger at Lidl round the corner is 65p a kwh which I think is about £20 to charge an i3 so similar to 150 miles of petrol. I'd hardly ever need it but its there.
I quite like Octopus. Been with them a while now and they've been good to deal with. My only slight mistake was taking a 12 month fix last September which has turned out to be more expensive and I don't think there's much I can do until that ends. But that was my choice so not their fault. I'll give them a ring to discuss the options but will probably get them to install the Ohme charger which looks like the same price as Pod Point.
I'm in no rush so it might be closer to September anyway. Need to go and test cars first.
Another thick question. I'm guessing using a public charger is much like getting petrol as in plug in and pay by card? Last night I googled local chargers. There aren't many but it does seem to tell you if they are currently available and what the charges are. The fast charger at Lidl round the corner is 65p a kwh which I think is about £20 to charge an i3 so similar to 150 miles of petrol. I'd hardly ever need it but its there.
Just been looking at Octopus website.
It looks like I need the Ohme home pro with 5m cable for £975 and I qualify for standard installation. I do have a smart meter but I guess they can upgrade it if needs be. The Intelligent tariff would work for me I think. 7.5p P/kwh over night so about £3 for a full charge. It's 29p p/kwh in the day which is 2p more than I currently pay but that's okay as the leccy bill isn't much anyway.
On an annual mileage of 4000 it appears to work out at less than £100 a year. Can that be correct?
It looks like I need the Ohme home pro with 5m cable for £975 and I qualify for standard installation. I do have a smart meter but I guess they can upgrade it if needs be. The Intelligent tariff would work for me I think. 7.5p P/kwh over night so about £3 for a full charge. It's 29p p/kwh in the day which is 2p more than I currently pay but that's okay as the leccy bill isn't much anyway.
On an annual mileage of 4000 it appears to work out at less than £100 a year. Can that be correct?
ChrisH72 said:
All sounds good thanks.
Another thick question. I'm guessing using a public charger is much like getting petrol as in plug in and pay by card? Last night I googled local chargers. There aren't many but it does seem to tell you if they are currently available and what the charges are. The fast charger at Lidl round the corner is 65p a kwh which I think is about £20 to charge an i3 so similar to 150 miles of petrol. I'd hardly ever need it but its there.
It's not a thick question; public charging can be a bit of a minefield to start with, and it's not helped by the way they have been named.Another thick question. I'm guessing using a public charger is much like getting petrol as in plug in and pay by card? Last night I googled local chargers. There aren't many but it does seem to tell you if they are currently available and what the charges are. The fast charger at Lidl round the corner is 65p a kwh which I think is about £20 to charge an i3 so similar to 150 miles of petrol. I'd hardly ever need it but its there.
A fast charger is slow, around 7kW, which would take an i3 around 6-7 hours to fully charge.
A rapid charger is quicker, around 50kW, which would take an i3 around 1 hour to fully charge.
An ultra-rapid charger is the fastest, around 100-350kW, but it will take the same time as a rapid charger, as the i3 max charge speed is 50kW.
All times above are estimates, but they give you an idea (this is with a 42kWh battery option).
The i3 would be around £27ish to fully charge at 65p per kWh, considering charging losses.
My i3s will do around 130-140 miles fully charged this time of year.
Anything rapid and above should now be contactless; fast chargers nearly always need an app.
Ohme and Octopus has literally never let me down. It's never not charged. I'm pleasantly surprised because I'm an ever increasing technophobe and that's the sort of thing that usually goes wrong in my hands.
I also seem to get loads more cheap rate charging than advertised. It was charging from 8pm last night.
I also seem to get loads more cheap rate charging than advertised. It was charging from 8pm last night.
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