Anybody running an E-Niro or Kona Electric?
Discussion
Time to choose a new company car is rapidly approaching, and the Kia E-Niro is looking like an interesting prospect. Have had a couple of hybrids but never tried fully electric.
Just wondering how people are getting on with them (or the near-identical Hyundai Kona Electric) on real world use?
I'm looking at the 64kWh in 4+ trim, this will save me around £200 a month in contributions and BIK tax vs my current Ioniq hybrid.
The claimed range of 280 miles looks good, but how does it fare on a cold and wet day doing 70mph on the motorway?
My work mileage can vary from 12 miles a day to a couple of hundred, and the company don't yet provide charging facilities at their sites. (Long family trips aren't an issue as we have other cars available for those occasions.)
Also, what's a typical cost to the punter (i.e. after gov't grants) for getting a 7kw charger installed? Have heard all manner of figures ranging from a couple of hundred up to a grand.
Just wondering how people are getting on with them (or the near-identical Hyundai Kona Electric) on real world use?
I'm looking at the 64kWh in 4+ trim, this will save me around £200 a month in contributions and BIK tax vs my current Ioniq hybrid.
The claimed range of 280 miles looks good, but how does it fare on a cold and wet day doing 70mph on the motorway?
My work mileage can vary from 12 miles a day to a couple of hundred, and the company don't yet provide charging facilities at their sites. (Long family trips aren't an issue as we have other cars available for those occasions.)
Also, what's a typical cost to the punter (i.e. after gov't grants) for getting a 7kw charger installed? Have heard all manner of figures ranging from a couple of hundred up to a grand.
Jonny_ said:
Time to choose a new company car is rapidly approaching, and the Kia E-Niro is looking like an interesting prospect. Have had a couple of hybrids but never tried fully electric.
Just wondering how people are getting on with them (or the near-identical Hyundai Kona Electric) on real world use?
I'm looking at the 64kWh in 4+ trim, this will save me around £200 a month in contributions and BIK tax vs my current Ioniq hybrid.
The claimed range of 280 miles looks good, but how does it fare on a cold and wet day doing 70mph on the motorway?
Just wondering how people are getting on with them (or the near-identical Hyundai Kona Electric) on real world use?
I'm looking at the 64kWh in 4+ trim, this will save me around £200 a month in contributions and BIK tax vs my current Ioniq hybrid.
The claimed range of 280 miles looks good, but how does it fare on a cold and wet day doing 70mph on the motorway?
From my limited experience, cold knocks around 30miles off - i drive the car --HARD-- and 95% motorway, heater on, heated seat on, heated steering wheel on, during the recent really cold spell and the worst it's ever given me is 200 miles from a full charge.
We own an i3 as well and the e-niro is so much more realistic with the range display.
I need to stress, i do not drive the car economically in any way - i have a 100 mile daily round trip commute and its pretty much flat out all the way.
Jonny_ said:
Also, what's a typical cost to the punter (i.e. after gov't grants) for getting a 7kw charger installed? Have heard all manner of figures ranging from a couple of hundred up to a grand.
when we had ours done the going rate was £750 but the Government give you a grant (if you qualify, which means off street parking, no cables on public footpaths etc) of £500 so you pay £250.one nice surprise for me... listed top speed is 104mph, mine does 114 before it hits the electronic limiter
only downside is 200bhp, tons of torque and FWD.. makes it a bit twitchy in the wet pulling out of t-junctions etc - but you can control it once you get used to it
Excellent, Pixelpeepz4, thanks for that very detailed reply!
Sounds highly promising, 200 miles even when hammered is most impressive. I'm quite sedate most of the time, possibly because I'm in no rush to actually arrive at work, who knows...
Will be dead happy if it only costs me £250 of my own money to get a charging point fitted, will recuperate that plus change in BIK savings alone over the first 2 months.
Oddly enough the Ioniq can be a pain pulling out of junctions in wet weather, it's no torque monster but it's got skinny eco tyres and annoyingly sensitive traction control, so once it detects a spot of wheelspin the thing panics and nobbles the power. Requires a light touch to pull away quickly!
Sounds highly promising, 200 miles even when hammered is most impressive. I'm quite sedate most of the time, possibly because I'm in no rush to actually arrive at work, who knows...
Will be dead happy if it only costs me £250 of my own money to get a charging point fitted, will recuperate that plus change in BIK savings alone over the first 2 months.
Oddly enough the Ioniq can be a pain pulling out of junctions in wet weather, it's no torque monster but it's got skinny eco tyres and annoyingly sensitive traction control, so once it detects a spot of wheelspin the thing panics and nobbles the power. Requires a light touch to pull away quickly!
Jonny_ said:
Excellent, Pixelpeepz4, thanks for that very detailed reply!
Sounds highly promising, 200 miles even when hammered is most impressive. I'm quite sedate most of the time, possibly because I'm in no rush to actually arrive at work, who knows...
Will be dead happy if it only costs me £250 of my own money to get a charging point fitted, will recuperate that plus change in BIK savings alone over the first 2 months.
Oddly enough the Ioniq can be a pain pulling out of junctions in wet weather, it's no torque monster but it's got skinny eco tyres and annoyingly sensitive traction control, so once it detects a spot of wheelspin the thing panics and nobbles the power. Requires a light touch to pull away quickly!
The i3 was the same in the wet and could be rather 'entertaining' with RWD, 170bhp and 155 section eco tyres. Sounds highly promising, 200 miles even when hammered is most impressive. I'm quite sedate most of the time, possibly because I'm in no rush to actually arrive at work, who knows...
Will be dead happy if it only costs me £250 of my own money to get a charging point fitted, will recuperate that plus change in BIK savings alone over the first 2 months.
Oddly enough the Ioniq can be a pain pulling out of junctions in wet weather, it's no torque monster but it's got skinny eco tyres and annoyingly sensitive traction control, so once it detects a spot of wheelspin the thing panics and nobbles the power. Requires a light touch to pull away quickly!
Jonny_ said:
Time to choose a new company car is rapidly approaching, and the Kia E-Niro is looking like an interesting prospect. Have had a couple of hybrids but never tried fully electric.
Just wondering how people are getting on with them (or the near-identical Hyundai Kona Electric) on real world use?
I'm looking at the 64kWh in 4+ trim, this will save me around £200 a month in contributions and BIK tax vs my current Ioniq hybrid.
The claimed range of 280 miles looks good, but how does it fare on a cold and wet day doing 70mph on the motorway?
My work mileage can vary from 12 miles a day to a couple of hundred, and the company don't yet provide charging facilities at their sites. (Long family trips aren't an issue as we have other cars available for those occasions.)
Also, what's a typical cost to the punter (i.e. after gov't grants) for getting a 7kw charger installed? Have heard all manner of figures ranging from a couple of hundred up to a grand.
Had my 4+ for the last couple of weeks. I'm seeing a range of around 240 miles so far, although not all motorway miles. I would think 200 motorway would be very likely.Just wondering how people are getting on with them (or the near-identical Hyundai Kona Electric) on real world use?
I'm looking at the 64kWh in 4+ trim, this will save me around £200 a month in contributions and BIK tax vs my current Ioniq hybrid.
The claimed range of 280 miles looks good, but how does it fare on a cold and wet day doing 70mph on the motorway?
My work mileage can vary from 12 miles a day to a couple of hundred, and the company don't yet provide charging facilities at their sites. (Long family trips aren't an issue as we have other cars available for those occasions.)
Also, what's a typical cost to the punter (i.e. after gov't grants) for getting a 7kw charger installed? Have heard all manner of figures ranging from a couple of hundred up to a grand.
Very nice car.
Grant covers 75% of cost up to £500 I believe. You can pay just a couple of hundred on top if a long cable run isn't needed and don't choose an expensive charger. Or lots. Choices, choices...
Wife has the 64kwh Kona and sees a constant 4.1 miles/kwh on mainly A roads after c.4000 miles - works out at c.240 miles range even in the cold and wet. On a trip to Bath in October she got nearer 270. As suggested, 200 miles absolute minimum.
Charge points do vary massively depending on the brand, the ease of installation and the local fitters. Have a look at this site for more info www.smarthomecharge.co.uk
You may also want to look at changing electricity provider to make the most of a cheap overnight tariff.
Charge points do vary massively depending on the brand, the ease of installation and the local fitters. Have a look at this site for more info www.smarthomecharge.co.uk
You may also want to look at changing electricity provider to make the most of a cheap overnight tariff.
Jonny_ said:
Also, what's a typical cost to the punter (i.e. after gov't grants) for getting a 7kw charger installed? Have heard all manner of figures ranging from a couple of hundred up to a grand.
There's differences in what the chargers can take and the cars can take.From what I've seen there's a couple of things to consider when picking a charger:
- What power can you provide/can the car take (Afaik the Kona indeed tops out at 7kW AC, which is plenty for home, so no need to get a 3 phase charger.)
- Is the cable attached? Depends on your preference. I like an attached cable as it's less of a hassle. Longer attached cables usually cost more money.
- Smart/app. These things vary, but with variable rates for electricity on some networks already, can come to their own quite nicely.
- It eats nearly everything. In theory can do 22kW, even though I'm not sure there's a car that can take it.
- Has a 2m or 7m cable attached. We opted for the 7m one for flexibility (can leave the EV outside and charge it)
- It's as dumb as a brick. Probably the only downside. Didn't need it as it's only used a couple of hours/week and there is no internet in their garage (although I'm sure there's chargers that use a SIM).
Jonny_ said:
Time to choose a new company car is rapidly approaching, and the Kia E-Niro is looking like an interesting prospect. Have had a couple of hybrids but never tried fully electric.
Just wondering how people are getting on with them (or the near-identical Hyundai Kona Electric) on real world use?
I'm looking at the 64kWh in 4+ trim, this will save me around £200 a month in contributions and BIK tax vs my current Ioniq hybrid.
The claimed range of 280 miles looks good, but how does it fare on a cold and wet day doing 70mph on the motorway?
My work mileage can vary from 12 miles a day to a couple of hundred, and the company don't yet provide charging facilities at their sites. (Long family trips aren't an issue as we have other cars available for those occasions.)
Also, what's a typical cost to the punter (i.e. after gov't grants) for getting a 7kw charger installed? Have heard all manner of figures ranging from a couple of hundred up to a grand.
Had my Kona 64kWh just over 2 years now and very happy.Just wondering how people are getting on with them (or the near-identical Hyundai Kona Electric) on real world use?
I'm looking at the 64kWh in 4+ trim, this will save me around £200 a month in contributions and BIK tax vs my current Ioniq hybrid.
The claimed range of 280 miles looks good, but how does it fare on a cold and wet day doing 70mph on the motorway?
My work mileage can vary from 12 miles a day to a couple of hundred, and the company don't yet provide charging facilities at their sites. (Long family trips aren't an issue as we have other cars available for those occasions.)
Also, what's a typical cost to the punter (i.e. after gov't grants) for getting a 7kw charger installed? Have heard all manner of figures ranging from a couple of hundred up to a grand.
Real world for 9 months of the year I get 230 miles at 70mph on motorways, will drop to nearer 200 when sub zero, windy & rainy on motorways a few days in the depth of winter.
Heated seats and pre heating the car make a massive difference to efficiency and always use these great features.
Round town the range is better as you recover energy from braking, in late spring mine will cover more than 300 miles between charges when I'm doing 20 miles a day at lower speeds.
Rolec can fit you a 7kW charger for under £500. Personally pay a bit more and get a tethered one, so you don't have to get the cable out of your boot every time. Top end on chargers is Andersen if you are into styling.
Niro 4+ is a nice bit bigger all around, I tested on on the same routes and found it to be 5% less on range mainly due to the size and drag as it's a bigger car - personally prefer it over Kona as controls and plastics are better.
Personally, I'd go untethered if I was getting another charger, especially with a 2 car drive. You can leave a cable connected and steel cable locked in for some security, but if you need a longer cable for a visiting car or one with a charge port in a different location, then you can quickly swap it.
Basic installations are more like £350-400 these days as the grant requires them to be smart chargers. If it's a short run from your fuse panel then it won't cost any extra. The standard now requires a good earth spike, so some require soft ground to drive an earth spike into. Others have workarounds to avoid this, or additional boxes.
Basic installations are more like £350-400 these days as the grant requires them to be smart chargers. If it's a short run from your fuse panel then it won't cost any extra. The standard now requires a good earth spike, so some require soft ground to drive an earth spike into. Others have workarounds to avoid this, or additional boxes.
Evanivitch said:
Personally, I'd go untethered if I was getting another charger, especially with a 2 car drive. You can leave a cable connected and steel cable locked in for some security, but if you need a longer cable for a visiting car or one with a charge port in a different location, then you can quickly swap it.
Or you can go tethered with a longer cable? Untethered only seems convenient to me if you need different cables for different vehicles.
ZesPak said:
Or you can go tethered with a longer cable?
Untethered only seems convenient to me if you need different cables for different vehicles.
Many charger providers don't offer a longer cable, most offer 4.7m-5m. Depending on where your charge port is and access to.your driveway, that's not a lot. Untethered only seems convenient to me if you need different cables for different vehicles.
It's not difficult to retrofit a different cable, but obviously this will invalidate your warranty.
SWoll said:
Jonny_ said:
Excellent, Pixelpeepz4, thanks for that very detailed reply!
Sounds highly promising, 200 miles even when hammered is most impressive. I'm quite sedate most of the time, possibly because I'm in no rush to actually arrive at work, who knows...
Will be dead happy if it only costs me £250 of my own money to get a charging point fitted, will recuperate that plus change in BIK savings alone over the first 2 months.
Oddly enough the Ioniq can be a pain pulling out of junctions in wet weather, it's no torque monster but it's got skinny eco tyres and annoyingly sensitive traction control, so once it detects a spot of wheelspin the thing panics and nobbles the power. Requires a light touch to pull away quickly!
The i3 was the same in the wet and could be rather 'entertaining' with RWD, 170bhp and 155 section eco tyres. Sounds highly promising, 200 miles even when hammered is most impressive. I'm quite sedate most of the time, possibly because I'm in no rush to actually arrive at work, who knows...
Will be dead happy if it only costs me £250 of my own money to get a charging point fitted, will recuperate that plus change in BIK savings alone over the first 2 months.
Oddly enough the Ioniq can be a pain pulling out of junctions in wet weather, it's no torque monster but it's got skinny eco tyres and annoyingly sensitive traction control, so once it detects a spot of wheelspin the thing panics and nobbles the power. Requires a light touch to pull away quickly!
I was sat next to a Niro at a r/about in MK the other day, pissing it down, 2 degC, and we both "leapt" away into the same gap in the traffic, well, my i3 leapt away, as all i could hear was that horrible fizzing sound of hard rubber spinning on wet road as the Niro failed to get off the line, whereas the rwd i3 just squatted and went! You do however pay for that rwd traction advantage when it comes to trying to regen hard around turns or on bumpy roads, where the dsc has to turn down the regen to maintain vehicle stability........
Max_Torque said:
Only at high speeds and WOT in my experience!
I was sat next to a Niro at a r/about in MK the other day, pissing it down, 2 degC, and we both "leapt" away into the same gap in the traffic, well, my i3 leapt away, as all i could hear was that horrible fizzing sound of hard rubber spinning on wet road as the Niro failed to get off the line, whereas the rwd i3 just squatted and went! You do however pay for that rwd traction advantage when it comes to trying to regen hard around turns or on bumpy roads, where the dsc has to turn down the regen to maintain vehicle stability........
Having driven both i3 and eNiro I can say the i3 is much quicker off the line! It feels like the eNiro is deliberately power limited at the start to try to minimise the tendency for the wheels to spin stupidly I was sat next to a Niro at a r/about in MK the other day, pissing it down, 2 degC, and we both "leapt" away into the same gap in the traffic, well, my i3 leapt away, as all i could hear was that horrible fizzing sound of hard rubber spinning on wet road as the Niro failed to get off the line, whereas the rwd i3 just squatted and went! You do however pay for that rwd traction advantage when it comes to trying to regen hard around turns or on bumpy roads, where the dsc has to turn down the regen to maintain vehicle stability........
Less in it once you're moving along properly, although the i3 is still lighter and more nimble.But i3 is no fun on DC or MW when those skinny tires make it very skittish and twitchy, whereas the eNiro is far more planted and comfortable.
Evanivitch said:
Personally, I'd go untethered if I was getting another charger, especially with a 2 car drive. You can leave a cable connected and steel cable locked in for some security, but if you need a longer cable for a visiting car or one with a charge port in a different location, then you can quickly swap it.
Basic installations are more like £350-400 these days as the grant requires them to be smart chargers. If it's a short run from your fuse panel then it won't cost any extra. The standard now requires a good earth spike, so some require soft ground to drive an earth spike into. Others have workarounds to avoid this, or additional boxes.
I went untethered with an EO Mini. I wanted a stealth box.Basic installations are more like £350-400 these days as the grant requires them to be smart chargers. If it's a short run from your fuse panel then it won't cost any extra. The standard now requires a good earth spike, so some require soft ground to drive an earth spike into. Others have workarounds to avoid this, or additional boxes.
Getting the cable out of the froot is no hardship, and I'd rather keep it there when not using it so I can use it for any free charging points
Just pulled the trigger on a E-Niro 4+ The same as the thread starter. I’m coming from a Vauxhall Astra sports tourer that quite frankly has been the most unreliable car I’ve ever had. I’ve owned multiple rx7’s and R5GTT’s so that’s saying something.......
Anyhow, my company I work for has changed my grade and in turn so has the company car selection. The tax savings are going to be huge!. Using the Arval tax calculator, as Arval are the fleet managers, I’m saving the best part of £265 a month!. That saving will come down in the future as we all know the government will want to start clawing back the losses from Diesels etc.
Now for the fun bit. I live in a block of flats so a home charger is out of the question. I did open up dialogue with the managing agents about having one installed but the charges and fees involved will wipe out any saving from the government. So I will be relying on public charging and throwing a cable out the window while at home (I live on the ground floor). Am I mad?.....I guess time will tell.
Rough fag packet maths show that at 4p pm from Arval and on average doing 2250 miles a month I’ll be gaining £90 to charge the car. My commute is 95% to the Wharf and the City, mainly Barbican area. So for me the BP Pulse subscription will work out pretty well. All Corp of London Carparks are BP 7kw, while not rapid they will suit me for the time being, also free to use while subscribing. The 7kw’s on the wharf while not being free is a pain the location is ideal as I can dart in and out of the buildings that I’m working in. All in all I’m left with £82ish to charge the car while out and about. Carpark charges are reimbursed by the company.
My home tariff is with Bulb @ 15.25p kw/h. I’ll leave the car charging at home while in, mainly at weekends.
There’s a rapid charger just off the exit of the M1 where I live so if I get really stuck and need a quick squirt of power I can plug in wait 20-25mins and then it’s 6 miles back home. That’s 15p kw/h so really not the end of the world.
All in all it will take time to get used to but the savings in tax I’m willing to take for the sake of a little faff with public charging. Here’s hoping it works out, time will tell and more than happy to share experiences etc on the other real word thread that is running.
Anyhow, my company I work for has changed my grade and in turn so has the company car selection. The tax savings are going to be huge!. Using the Arval tax calculator, as Arval are the fleet managers, I’m saving the best part of £265 a month!. That saving will come down in the future as we all know the government will want to start clawing back the losses from Diesels etc.
Now for the fun bit. I live in a block of flats so a home charger is out of the question. I did open up dialogue with the managing agents about having one installed but the charges and fees involved will wipe out any saving from the government. So I will be relying on public charging and throwing a cable out the window while at home (I live on the ground floor). Am I mad?.....I guess time will tell.
Rough fag packet maths show that at 4p pm from Arval and on average doing 2250 miles a month I’ll be gaining £90 to charge the car. My commute is 95% to the Wharf and the City, mainly Barbican area. So for me the BP Pulse subscription will work out pretty well. All Corp of London Carparks are BP 7kw, while not rapid they will suit me for the time being, also free to use while subscribing. The 7kw’s on the wharf while not being free is a pain the location is ideal as I can dart in and out of the buildings that I’m working in. All in all I’m left with £82ish to charge the car while out and about. Carpark charges are reimbursed by the company.
My home tariff is with Bulb @ 15.25p kw/h. I’ll leave the car charging at home while in, mainly at weekends.
There’s a rapid charger just off the exit of the M1 where I live so if I get really stuck and need a quick squirt of power I can plug in wait 20-25mins and then it’s 6 miles back home. That’s 15p kw/h so really not the end of the world.
All in all it will take time to get used to but the savings in tax I’m willing to take for the sake of a little faff with public charging. Here’s hoping it works out, time will tell and more than happy to share experiences etc on the other real word thread that is running.
Matt p said:
Just pulled the trigger on a E-Niro 4+
Now for the fun bit. I live in a block of flats so a home charger is out of the question. I did open up dialogue with the managing agents about having one installed but the charges and fees involved will wipe out any saving from the government. So I will be relying on public charging and throwing a cable out the window while at home (I live on the ground floor). Am I mad?.....I guess time will tell.
Could you install a conventional 3-pin socket in proper waterproof housing outside your window to negate having to open it and chuck a cable out? Maybe get a sparky to make sure it's done properly and have a thermal cut-out for it just in case - and the switch on the inside to prevent anyone being cheeky!Now for the fun bit. I live in a block of flats so a home charger is out of the question. I did open up dialogue with the managing agents about having one installed but the charges and fees involved will wipe out any saving from the government. So I will be relying on public charging and throwing a cable out the window while at home (I live on the ground floor). Am I mad?.....I guess time will tell.
You could then potentially charge overnight using the supplied "granny" charger. Only gives about 6-8 miles of range per hour, but if you were getting 80 added miles every night you may find you're far less reliant on public charging?
Matt p said:
My home tariff is with Bulb @ 15.25p kw/h. I’ll leave the car charging at home while in, mainly at weekends.
Consider switching to Octopus, then sign up for Agile?I'm averaging just under 10p/kWh since October - one night this week, there was 5 1/2 hours at -4p/kWh (yes, minus - you will get credit for charging during these hours) - tends to occur on windy days. Even during this cold snap, there are plenty of overnight hours less than 12p/kWh. Will be single figures spring, summer and autumn. Bit less of a problem for me as only charging a PHEV, but should make some even bigger savings in your situation.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, especially now, but this looks serious. Hopefully it is not as bad as the report says:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-electric-...
Apparently Hyundai are withdrawing the Kona from sale in their home market (S. Korea).
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-electric-...
Apparently Hyundai are withdrawing the Kona from sale in their home market (S. Korea).
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