Small EV's - any experiences?
Discussion
Currently have a Tesla Model 3 Performance, lease ends August so starting to think of the replacement. Great car, very happy with it.
I was all set on a Polestar 2 as its replacement as I generally dont replace like for like, but then started to think how much these cars were costing me to either sit on the drive, or get me to and from work (44 mile round trip). I dont really use the car for much else.
On a salary sacrifice scheme, my current car would be around £700 net per month incl insurance and Maintenance, the Polestar nearer £600. This is fine but saving a further £300 per month would be nice.
What I could really do with is a small, chuckable car that would be a bit of a blast on back roads but is fine on A roads. These seem to be the options;
Mini E - perfect, but the range, whilst adequate, I would always get home with less than 50 miles left. Nervous. 180bhp would do.
e208 - looks great imo, decent range, decent inside. Only 136bhp though and not sure how it handles
i3s - my wife has one, great car but I just dont like how it pogo's down back roads
Zoe - great range, I think it looks good, fun to nail it round corners though?
e-up etc - only 82bhp - a GTI version would be great
Honda e - looks great but range worse than the Mini
Any experiences of these?
I think with the Mini that I could possibly adjust my nervousness of the range. I think
I was all set on a Polestar 2 as its replacement as I generally dont replace like for like, but then started to think how much these cars were costing me to either sit on the drive, or get me to and from work (44 mile round trip). I dont really use the car for much else.
On a salary sacrifice scheme, my current car would be around £700 net per month incl insurance and Maintenance, the Polestar nearer £600. This is fine but saving a further £300 per month would be nice.
What I could really do with is a small, chuckable car that would be a bit of a blast on back roads but is fine on A roads. These seem to be the options;
Mini E - perfect, but the range, whilst adequate, I would always get home with less than 50 miles left. Nervous. 180bhp would do.
e208 - looks great imo, decent range, decent inside. Only 136bhp though and not sure how it handles
i3s - my wife has one, great car but I just dont like how it pogo's down back roads
Zoe - great range, I think it looks good, fun to nail it round corners though?
e-up etc - only 82bhp - a GTI version would be great
Honda e - looks great but range worse than the Mini
Any experiences of these?
I think with the Mini that I could possibly adjust my nervousness of the range. I think
The ID3 is meant to be pretty good to drive and I suspect it's pretty affordable on a company lease.
I wouldn't call any of the others except maybe the i3 "fun". Although the i3 is an odd kind of fun, certainly! The others are by no means terrible, but they're not really set up to be sporty.
There's the Corsa-E too, which is basically the same car as the e208.
I wouldn't call any of the others except maybe the i3 "fun". Although the i3 is an odd kind of fun, certainly! The others are by no means terrible, but they're not really set up to be sporty.
There's the Corsa-E too, which is basically the same car as the e208.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 11th March 16:18
just had my Model 3 performance go back too did not drive it as much due to all the covid and quarantine. Got a Seat Mii electric arriving soon which should do fine for the next 2 years
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Just replaced an old 1st gen Zoe with a Model 3 LR. I’ve not driven the new Zoe but I really liked my 2014 car as a commuter.
Not sure it’s what your looking for, not sporty at all, but still great fun just driving everywhere flat out and cornering on its door handles. Enjoyable in the same way thrashing a base model Fiat 500 can be.
Not sure it’s what your looking for, not sporty at all, but still great fun just driving everywhere flat out and cornering on its door handles. Enjoyable in the same way thrashing a base model Fiat 500 can be.
We've had an e-208 since November, OH has it through work scheme. It's the GT in blue so top spec and looks great. It's brilliant fun, I've managed to snaffle it for a few trips to work and it copes well with both motorway and sweeping lanes. When we're pottering about locally at weekend we always use it.
I have a Skoda Citigo iv SE L Electric.
I have other cars i can use on the drive but tend to take the electric Skoda - i enjoy its plain jane appearance and reminds of a Mini Cooper back in the 70s.
Its nipply from the lights ... and i find it a hoot to drive around the lanes.
Am the type who is happy to leave a newish Range Rover on the drive and put up with its basic functionality...as i enjoy driving.
I paid £18.5k last August ... its cheap and it puts a smile on my face
I have other cars i can use on the drive but tend to take the electric Skoda - i enjoy its plain jane appearance and reminds of a Mini Cooper back in the 70s.
Its nipply from the lights ... and i find it a hoot to drive around the lanes.
Am the type who is happy to leave a newish Range Rover on the drive and put up with its basic functionality...as i enjoy driving.
I paid £18.5k last August ... its cheap and it puts a smile on my face
MOBB said:
Mini E - perfect, but the range, whilst adequate, I would always get home with less than 50 miles left. Nervous. 180bhp would do.
Mother in law just got an Mini E. It look great, and why are you worried about range with a 44 mile commute? I run our Tesla down to sub 20 miles every week before charging back up.BMW are/were doing reasonable deals, £350/month with £350/month is whats the mid spec one cost for 10k a year and 4 years (I think). That's including VAT and a personal deal.
Bought her indoors a mini electric at Christmas 2019 but didn't arrive until September 2020.
Only done 700 odd miles during that time due to covid lockdown and brutal weather conditions here in the North East.
The car is quick off the mark, go kart like handling, well screwed together and very comfortable.
It is capable of doing about 95% of our needs, except those one or twice a year long trips that would require stopping somewhere to charge.
We have a 7.0 kw home charger and outdoor sockets for the granny plug.
Also have 3.5kw of solar pv on the house that reduces the cost when charging on a sunny day - not that we have had many of those!
We have other cars (Merc SL and X5) but we really like the mini and it is probably going to be a keeper.
Only done 700 odd miles during that time due to covid lockdown and brutal weather conditions here in the North East.
The car is quick off the mark, go kart like handling, well screwed together and very comfortable.
It is capable of doing about 95% of our needs, except those one or twice a year long trips that would require stopping somewhere to charge.
We have a 7.0 kw home charger and outdoor sockets for the granny plug.
Also have 3.5kw of solar pv on the house that reduces the cost when charging on a sunny day - not that we have had many of those!
We have other cars (Merc SL and X5) but we really like the mini and it is probably going to be a keeper.
MOBB said:
It’s more adjusting to going from a 300 mile range ev to a 100 ‘mile one, just a mental adjustment I suppose
And yes I do have a home charger, thanks for your concern
That being the case I'd just get the one that you like the best. Personally I think the Honda e can't be beat for a small, fun car, apart from the price...And yes I do have a home charger, thanks for your concern
I wouldn't worry too much about it, you will quickly get used to the range. I drove a Leaf 24 for years, quickly got to understand it.
zayn said:
just had my Model 3 performance go back too did not drive it as much due to all the covid and quarantine. Got a Seat Mii electric arriving soon which should do fine for the next 2 years
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My wife has a 10 year old Cooper S. She really wants a Mini E, but the Seat Mii lease deal looks spectacular value. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Just need to get a test drive in one.
I have done over 80k miles, mostly on country roads in my 41Kwh Zoe and it has been remarkably good fun.
My Zoe is quite softly set up and a bit bouncy, it needs to have the tyres pressures at 40psi and better tyres than the rubbish EV tyres it came with but it has good weight distribution, gives a decent level of feedback through the steering and chassis and can understeer, oversteer or be neutral depending on how it is driven.
The newer Zoes have better suspension and are much less bouncy as well as being a lot quicker, particularly the sport version which I have test driven and it was pretty good.
I need more space and range so I am probably doing the opposite to you and getting a model 3.
My Zoe is quite softly set up and a bit bouncy, it needs to have the tyres pressures at 40psi and better tyres than the rubbish EV tyres it came with but it has good weight distribution, gives a decent level of feedback through the steering and chassis and can understeer, oversteer or be neutral depending on how it is driven.
The newer Zoes have better suspension and are much less bouncy as well as being a lot quicker, particularly the sport version which I have test driven and it was pretty good.
I need more space and range so I am probably doing the opposite to you and getting a model 3.
aestetix1 said:
MOBB said:
Mini E - perfect, but the range, whilst adequate, I would always get home with less than 50 miles left.
So your commute is 44 miles and you would get home with enough for another commute, and that worries you?Do you not have home charging or something?
See the Zoe thread I OP'd a few months ago.
Try one, they are more fun than they have any right to be, especially the 135 GT Line, embarrasses stuff certainly up to 40-50mph2. Clearly won't go like a Tesla, but cheap as chips to lease and with a real world winter range of 160 miles (even 200 on a good day), and well over that in the summer, you won't go wrong.
Do they handle? Not in a traditional sense, but in an EV 'feels planted because its heavy, low centre of gravity' trait, actually it does, all about expectations and a different way of getting the most out of it. Happily gets the inner wheel spinning when exiting roundabouts when one is in the mood.....
Stereo is good, seats very comfy, regen one-foot braking - spot on.
But its my Wife's car and now she's gone back to work - sorry - no longer working from home, she's had it back. But whilst she's been at home, I've used it for my commute.
I've enjoyed it so much, I've just opted back in to our company car list and ordered a Polestar 2. Why a Polestar? Better boot, a few more toys, more acceleration and.... well why not, net I'll see my salary drop by £300 a month but I'm putting £250 a month of diesel in my old shed I use currently. No brainer before HMRC clamp down in 3-4 years time which I've no doubt they will. I'll opt back out then.
In summary, if the Zoe could cover my 200 mile a day commute with a 15 min / £2.50 Ecotricity coffee break, at -7 in the winter, a Polestar will nail it.
Edited to add: Drive it like you stole it everywhere for a full charge, yeah sub-100 mile range is more like it. I have tried but felt sick after a few miles and got bored. Someone above said more akin to thrashing a 1.2 Fiat 500? Maybe, but quite a bit nicer and more relaxing than that actually!
Try one, they are more fun than they have any right to be, especially the 135 GT Line, embarrasses stuff certainly up to 40-50mph2. Clearly won't go like a Tesla, but cheap as chips to lease and with a real world winter range of 160 miles (even 200 on a good day), and well over that in the summer, you won't go wrong.
Do they handle? Not in a traditional sense, but in an EV 'feels planted because its heavy, low centre of gravity' trait, actually it does, all about expectations and a different way of getting the most out of it. Happily gets the inner wheel spinning when exiting roundabouts when one is in the mood.....
Stereo is good, seats very comfy, regen one-foot braking - spot on.
But its my Wife's car and now she's gone back to work - sorry - no longer working from home, she's had it back. But whilst she's been at home, I've used it for my commute.
I've enjoyed it so much, I've just opted back in to our company car list and ordered a Polestar 2. Why a Polestar? Better boot, a few more toys, more acceleration and.... well why not, net I'll see my salary drop by £300 a month but I'm putting £250 a month of diesel in my old shed I use currently. No brainer before HMRC clamp down in 3-4 years time which I've no doubt they will. I'll opt back out then.
In summary, if the Zoe could cover my 200 mile a day commute with a 15 min / £2.50 Ecotricity coffee break, at -7 in the winter, a Polestar will nail it.
Edited to add: Drive it like you stole it everywhere for a full charge, yeah sub-100 mile range is more like it. I have tried but felt sick after a few miles and got bored. Someone above said more akin to thrashing a 1.2 Fiat 500? Maybe, but quite a bit nicer and more relaxing than that actually!
Edited by dgswk on Friday 12th March 12:57
I'm in the market for a new small EV as a run around, so interested to read views here. I've test drove zoe and leaf so far. The only other car popping up on autotrader (sorry pistonheads!) is the kia soul, which I'm a bit funny about for some reason. I should probably test drive it. Any one got one?
Ideally I want a Honda or Mini E but it's going to be while before they trickle through.
I've driven a few teslas, but my budget for this car is 15 or maybe 20k ish so off the list for obvious reasons.
Bad timing I guess in a couple of years there are going to be some great mini BEV options.I hope.
Ideally I want a Honda or Mini E but it's going to be while before they trickle through.
I've driven a few teslas, but my budget for this car is 15 or maybe 20k ish so off the list for obvious reasons.
Bad timing I guess in a couple of years there are going to be some great mini BEV options.I hope.
Pooh said:
I have done over 80k miles, mostly on country roads in my 41Kwh Zoe and it has been remarkably good fun.
My Zoe is quite softly set up and a bit bouncy, it needs to have the tyres pressures at 40psi and better tyres than the rubbish EV tyres it came with but it has good weight distribution, gives a decent level of feedback through the steering and chassis and can understeer, oversteer or be neutral depending on how it is driven.
The newer Zoes have better suspension and are much less bouncy as well as being a lot quicker, particularly the sport version which I have test driven and it was pretty good.
I need more space and range so I am probably doing the opposite to you and getting a model 3.
This.My Zoe is quite softly set up and a bit bouncy, it needs to have the tyres pressures at 40psi and better tyres than the rubbish EV tyres it came with but it has good weight distribution, gives a decent level of feedback through the steering and chassis and can understeer, oversteer or be neutral depending on how it is driven.
The newer Zoes have better suspension and are much less bouncy as well as being a lot quicker, particularly the sport version which I have test driven and it was pretty good.
I need more space and range so I am probably doing the opposite to you and getting a model 3.
Had a Zoe for a year, absolutely loved it.
Now got a Jeep Renegade PHEV cause lockdown (not drivin anywhere, missus only does school run all leccy)
Maybe BEV Model s if I ever drive anywhere again (had one a month and OMG, loved it)
I actually lined up all of these for my sister as she wanted an EV.
The only longer trip she takes a couple of times/year is this one, which is great as it's 300km and out of range of most of the smaller EV's. As it's in NL there's destination charging available of course.
Now don't look at total time (as there's a ferry involved), charging time is the one you're worried about.
As an only car, the cars capped at 50kW charging were just not cutting it.
She can do with less range no problem.
If you have another car, I wouldn't worry. Just keep in mind that when you go out of range, you're capped at 50kW which is very low these days. The one that came out really well was the e208. The Kona she didn't really like the look of and both the Kona and MG were just bigger than she wanted a car to be.
Just look at the charge time between the e208 and Mini.
The only longer trip she takes a couple of times/year is this one, which is great as it's 300km and out of range of most of the smaller EV's. As it's in NL there's destination charging available of course.
Now don't look at total time (as there's a ferry involved), charging time is the one you're worried about.
As an only car, the cars capped at 50kW charging were just not cutting it.
She can do with less range no problem.
If you have another car, I wouldn't worry. Just keep in mind that when you go out of range, you're capped at 50kW which is very low these days. The one that came out really well was the e208. The Kona she didn't really like the look of and both the Kona and MG were just bigger than she wanted a car to be.
Just look at the charge time between the e208 and Mini.
Edited by ZesPak on Saturday 13th March 19:04
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