Renault Zoe

[budfox]

c2mike said:

It still has all 12 bars. Does about 6 miles before dropping a bar. The maths is not simple as the bars are not linear...and the software has been updated, so I can't compare from when it was new . Mine is one of the first UK Leafs - April 2011. High temperatures is what they don't like, so not such a problem in the UK. 2015 model year US Leafs have a more robust battery and I guess this will come to the UK cars soon.

Edited by c2mike on Monday 1st September 21:50

Good info, many thanks. What I was asking about though was not the battery bars that drop with charge, but the smaller ones to the right of those that indicate permanently reduced capacity.

Edited by budfox on Monday 1st September 21:58

[c2mike]

budfox said:

Good info, many thanks. What I was asking about though was not the battery bars that drop with charge, but the smaller ones to the right of those that indicate permanently reduced capacity.

Edited by budfox on Monday 1st September 21:58

I have 12 of both. I see that with capacity loss, the long bars still go to 12 on a "full" charge...
Article on early cars with issues: http://www.hybridcars.com/nissan-leaf-owners-hope-...

Edited by c2mike on Monday 1st September 22:14

[budfox]

Many thanks.

[kentish zoe]

I would suggest your parents apply for a home fast charger while grant money is still available , the 3 pin plug charging will take ages.
We drive our zoe as a normal car and get 80 miles range but people say they get 130 in eco mode which limits speed to 60

Chicane-UK said:

I think I'd be happy with a single charge on the journey (stop off for a coffee, or whatever) but two would extend the drive fairly significantly and probably seem a bit of a chore. I'd certainly be able to charge at their place with a normal slow charge (mains socket) and wouldn't need to use the car whilst there.

[mattcov]

Anyone with a Zoe - how has the reliability been? I've seen a couple of horror stories on EV forums, but seem to be early adopters/software problems/Renault Cust Serv problems, although plenty of people perfectly fine, especially with later builds?

[squirejo]

Hi - I have had mine 4 or 5 months now. It's been excellent - no reliability problems with the car at all. The only issues I have had have been with on street chargers, so, not the cars fault, but, part of the package of usability in my circumstances. I think many of the other issues have been around charging.

I have come to realise that you have to top up at every easy opportunity. If yoiu are in a car park with a charger - use it. If you drive like a petrol car and expect to be able to fill upo from empty, you might just find that charger you need out of service...

The windscreen / dash glare is a joke. Everything welse excellent. Smooth, quiet, perky, refined as an urban commuter machine. I have had it on dual carriage ways at 70-80 no problem, but, not undrtaken any journey of >20 miles in one shot.

[mattcov]

Thanks, I've had an extended test drive of one now, but sadly had to disregard it due to the seat/seating position. Not as much the driving position, but the lack of adjustability of the seat - you sit on it, rather than in it and there's no real support - its almost like a bus stop bench that slopes forward and you only really notice it after a period of time driving. Tbh, it was a gutting point really as I would have ordered it as I was really impressed otherwise - its the most realistic electric proposition today.

With the windscreen glare problem they are having a model change this month to make it darker to rid the glare along with a couple of other changes like the seat piping colouring and the bumper colour. There are some suggestions on the EV forums that Renault are prepared to change existing owners dash top too free of charge, although there wasn't anything confirmed.

Crossed off the Leaf, so that leaves the i3 now, although I'm finding it hard to justify the cost of it, especially as I think the rate of progress may be massive over the next couple of years.

[andy-integrale]

I have just order one today! Take delivery in a couple of weeks. Met Black Dynamique intens. It is for the OH but to be honest I think I will use it alot for local running.

[squirejo]

Absolutely fine. Only thing I have trouble with is the 'granny cable' which has generally proven v sensitive to the actual socket. Everything else- all good.

[mattcov]

Binned the idea for now (see - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... ). Although the next new car will be an EV...