PHEV or full BEV if I don't want an SUV
Discussion
Hi everyone.
Long term lurker but first time poster and I thought I'd break my posting cherry and get your thoughts.
I currently have an diesel hatchback that I've probably had too long but it's been so cheap to run for so long that I haven't ever been able to justify getting rid of it. However, we're looking to move next year giving me a shorter commute and with working from home set to continue, the benefits of a diesel start to dwindle. Plus, very early days but there might be an addition to the family later this year and I don't fancy trying to cram pushchairs, travel cots and all sorts into the back of a 207 long term.
This leads me to think I need something bigger and I've been saying for a while that my next car should at the least be a PHEV if not a full BEV so I guess, this where I stop thinking in the abstract and start looking at options. I'm probably not looking to get something until we move middle of next year (I'd rather not install 2 wall boxes in less than a year) so I've got time but thought I'd get people's thoughts to help narrow down my options.
Currently, (well pre-pandemic) I'm commuting 30 miles each way, but I'm looking to move to somewhere more like 10-15 miles away. I visit parents/In-laws who live 100ish miles away generally at least once a month plus other family and friends who live similar or greater distances away plus occasional longer trips to wales, Cornwall, Scotland etc.. So my current thinking is that a diesel PHEV would be great for my use case - coast on battery power to the shops or to work and use a nice, efficient diesel lump to get me up and down the M40 without needing to visit charging stations on the way there/back.
Sadly, it looks like since Volvo's experiment with the old V60, only Mercedes offer a diesel PHEV. There are a handful of V60 D6/D5 PHEVs on Autotrader but they're all fairly high mileage and I wonder what life the small battery would have left in it. This leaves me with the C300de or E300de which look very nice and are probably affordable if I can justify the cost to myself. Whatever I get will cost a lot more than the current car (which costs practically nothing - hooray for shed motoring) so it's not necessarily a reason not to get it.
That did get me thinking that for basically the same money, there are plenty of pure BEVs available and I'm looking at the Polestar 2 instead. Most BEVs by the traditional OEMs all seem to be going for SUVs (I-Pace, EQC, e-Tron, e-Niro, Kona...) and whilst the world seems to be going in the direction, I don't know if I can bring myself to get one. There's the Tesla Model 3 but I'm not sure I'd get on with having all of the controls on the centre screen. What else would you recommend as a sub 50K non SUV BEV with a big enough boot for all of the paraphernalia that comes with having children? And for my use case, would a PHEV make more sense or should I go the whole hog and get myself a proper EV?
I like the safety net of always having an oil burner with a big tank of fuel to get me home without worrying about finding an available fast charger that uses the right connectors and doesn't involve signing up for an umpteenth service or downloading another app. I may be worrying unnecessarily on that front, though.
Long term lurker but first time poster and I thought I'd break my posting cherry and get your thoughts.
I currently have an diesel hatchback that I've probably had too long but it's been so cheap to run for so long that I haven't ever been able to justify getting rid of it. However, we're looking to move next year giving me a shorter commute and with working from home set to continue, the benefits of a diesel start to dwindle. Plus, very early days but there might be an addition to the family later this year and I don't fancy trying to cram pushchairs, travel cots and all sorts into the back of a 207 long term.
This leads me to think I need something bigger and I've been saying for a while that my next car should at the least be a PHEV if not a full BEV so I guess, this where I stop thinking in the abstract and start looking at options. I'm probably not looking to get something until we move middle of next year (I'd rather not install 2 wall boxes in less than a year) so I've got time but thought I'd get people's thoughts to help narrow down my options.
Currently, (well pre-pandemic) I'm commuting 30 miles each way, but I'm looking to move to somewhere more like 10-15 miles away. I visit parents/In-laws who live 100ish miles away generally at least once a month plus other family and friends who live similar or greater distances away plus occasional longer trips to wales, Cornwall, Scotland etc.. So my current thinking is that a diesel PHEV would be great for my use case - coast on battery power to the shops or to work and use a nice, efficient diesel lump to get me up and down the M40 without needing to visit charging stations on the way there/back.
Sadly, it looks like since Volvo's experiment with the old V60, only Mercedes offer a diesel PHEV. There are a handful of V60 D6/D5 PHEVs on Autotrader but they're all fairly high mileage and I wonder what life the small battery would have left in it. This leaves me with the C300de or E300de which look very nice and are probably affordable if I can justify the cost to myself. Whatever I get will cost a lot more than the current car (which costs practically nothing - hooray for shed motoring) so it's not necessarily a reason not to get it.
That did get me thinking that for basically the same money, there are plenty of pure BEVs available and I'm looking at the Polestar 2 instead. Most BEVs by the traditional OEMs all seem to be going for SUVs (I-Pace, EQC, e-Tron, e-Niro, Kona...) and whilst the world seems to be going in the direction, I don't know if I can bring myself to get one. There's the Tesla Model 3 but I'm not sure I'd get on with having all of the controls on the centre screen. What else would you recommend as a sub 50K non SUV BEV with a big enough boot for all of the paraphernalia that comes with having children? And for my use case, would a PHEV make more sense or should I go the whole hog and get myself a proper EV?
I like the safety net of always having an oil burner with a big tank of fuel to get me home without worrying about finding an available fast charger that uses the right connectors and doesn't involve signing up for an umpteenth service or downloading another app. I may be worrying unnecessarily on that front, though.
Edited by Eliehbeth on Wednesday 27th January 14:18
The problem that you have is that SUV's work so well as family holdalls - hence their massive popularity the world over. Plenty of space, easy to drive, decent boot space and decent accident protection all adds up to a very good solution - especially for young families.
My kids are both under 4 years old, so I am still in the whole double pram/ton of paraphernalia to go anywhere scenario. I looked at several cars but, for us, the best EV that fitted our needs was an E-tron - so that's what we got. The iPace was a close second (good to drive but nowhere near the same lease deals at the time - the position has ironically since reversed pretty much).
I looked at the Tesla Model 3, and borrowed one for a week. Aside from my personal reservations about the styling (each to their own, but I didn't like it), the lack of any sort of instrument panel straight ahead was a major failing (and curiously not repeated on other Tesla models), and the boot area, whilst actually quite good in size was a nightmare because of the ridiculous letterbox opening. I physically couldn't fit our pram in through the opening without removing the wheels individually each time!
From what you have said, the only pure EV I can think of that might suit if you are going to reject the Kia/Hyundai twins, and any other SUV-shaped car is the VW ID3, which is decent sized family hatchback with good space standards inside.
My kids are both under 4 years old, so I am still in the whole double pram/ton of paraphernalia to go anywhere scenario. I looked at several cars but, for us, the best EV that fitted our needs was an E-tron - so that's what we got. The iPace was a close second (good to drive but nowhere near the same lease deals at the time - the position has ironically since reversed pretty much).
I looked at the Tesla Model 3, and borrowed one for a week. Aside from my personal reservations about the styling (each to their own, but I didn't like it), the lack of any sort of instrument panel straight ahead was a major failing (and curiously not repeated on other Tesla models), and the boot area, whilst actually quite good in size was a nightmare because of the ridiculous letterbox opening. I physically couldn't fit our pram in through the opening without removing the wheels individually each time!
From what you have said, the only pure EV I can think of that might suit if you are going to reject the Kia/Hyundai twins, and any other SUV-shaped car is the VW ID3, which is decent sized family hatchback with good space standards inside.
Could you stretch to a Model S, maybe one a few years old? Very good storage space and as it's a hatch easy to access. More than enough range for the needs you suggest.
My other suggestion is wait as long as you can as there are lots of new models coming onto the market for both PHEV and BEV.
One reason why many EVs have a similar profile to an SUV is that they get you to sit on top of the batteries so they make them look like SUVs to hide this constraint. However the low centre of gravity means that they typically don't drive like you'd expect an SUV to drive. Do have a go in something like an eTron. I was like you thinking I didn't want an SUV (or if I got one it had to have 'proper' AWD capability) but was pleasantly surprised and as mentioned above the packaging is great.
Finally if you can afford to hold off I suspect that you might find some very good deals later in the year. The car companies can only really hit their CO2 targets if they sell more PHEV and BEVs. I've seen some evidence here in Switzerland that some big manufacturers are starting to price these cars aggressively to change their fleet average mix.
My other suggestion is wait as long as you can as there are lots of new models coming onto the market for both PHEV and BEV.
One reason why many EVs have a similar profile to an SUV is that they get you to sit on top of the batteries so they make them look like SUVs to hide this constraint. However the low centre of gravity means that they typically don't drive like you'd expect an SUV to drive. Do have a go in something like an eTron. I was like you thinking I didn't want an SUV (or if I got one it had to have 'proper' AWD capability) but was pleasantly surprised and as mentioned above the packaging is great.
Finally if you can afford to hold off I suspect that you might find some very good deals later in the year. The car companies can only really hit their CO2 targets if they sell more PHEV and BEVs. I've seen some evidence here in Switzerland that some big manufacturers are starting to price these cars aggressively to change their fleet average mix.
For the longer journeys you cannot beat a Tesla, I have done 80k miles in just under 3 years in my Renault Zoe and it is becoming noticeably more difficult to charge using public chargers recently because the charging infrastructure is not keeping pace with EV sales.
The Tesla supercharger network is extremely good, it is expanding rapidly and I will be replacing my Zoe with a model 3 this year.
Either a second hand model S or hang on for a German built model Y if the 3 doesn’t suit you.
The Tesla supercharger network is extremely good, it is expanding rapidly and I will be replacing my Zoe with a model 3 this year.
Either a second hand model S or hang on for a German built model Y if the 3 doesn’t suit you.
I have an Ioniq PHEV. I also couldn't bring myself to get a Kona or Nero, however useful they may be as I don't want an SUV shaped vehicle and I need a hatch.
37 miles on battery, runs on petrol in hybrid mode but with diesel like economy. Tolerable looks, lots of tech and just about quick enough in sport mode.
I do a 26 mile daily round trip to work and back and it will easily do that on battery even in the middle of winter, my main reason for purchase.
Only thing is the boot might not be big enough for all your stuff. It's estate car long and wide, with the seats down a whole bike goes straight in, but the boot is a bit shallow. Lots of room in the cabin.
37 miles on battery, runs on petrol in hybrid mode but with diesel like economy. Tolerable looks, lots of tech and just about quick enough in sport mode.
I do a 26 mile daily round trip to work and back and it will easily do that on battery even in the middle of winter, my main reason for purchase.
Only thing is the boot might not be big enough for all your stuff. It's estate car long and wide, with the seats down a whole bike goes straight in, but the boot is a bit shallow. Lots of room in the cabin.
Edited by georgezippy on Wednesday 27th January 12:12
As has been said, the slightly higher SUV style works well for families, which is why they're so popular.
Don't underestimate the amount of space you will suddenly need if you're going to become a family! The more storage the better, I promise. Also you'll hugely appreciate the higher body when putting small people into child seats - there's a circle of hell called back pain awaiting you with lower cars.
A small person will, almost certainly, also change how you drive anyway. The days of "pressing on" for 100's of miles will be gone; they require a lot of maintenance on an on-going basis and shouldn't be left in child seats for hours at a time (bad for lungs etc IIRC). You'll be lucky to get a single 100 mile journey done without a break.
IMHO a Leaf, or eNiro, or Kona (although a little smaller), or ID3 would probably work very well for you. Your daily drives will make up most of your miles anyway, the 100 mile trips would be effortless, so it's just a question of how far and how frequent your longer journeys are and how much inconvenience a charging stop or two would be (if you'll be having to stop anyway!).
Assume you could charge at home, so could start every day with 200 - 250 miles available?
Don't underestimate the amount of space you will suddenly need if you're going to become a family! The more storage the better, I promise. Also you'll hugely appreciate the higher body when putting small people into child seats - there's a circle of hell called back pain awaiting you with lower cars.
A small person will, almost certainly, also change how you drive anyway. The days of "pressing on" for 100's of miles will be gone; they require a lot of maintenance on an on-going basis and shouldn't be left in child seats for hours at a time (bad for lungs etc IIRC). You'll be lucky to get a single 100 mile journey done without a break.
IMHO a Leaf, or eNiro, or Kona (although a little smaller), or ID3 would probably work very well for you. Your daily drives will make up most of your miles anyway, the 100 mile trips would be effortless, so it's just a question of how far and how frequent your longer journeys are and how much inconvenience a charging stop or two would be (if you'll be having to stop anyway!).
Assume you could charge at home, so could start every day with 200 - 250 miles available?
I understand that by burying the batteries under the floor it raises the whole body up and to be fair, most of my SUV prejudices are about ICE SUVs. To me, they always felt compromised versions of the conventional cars they were based on. A comparable estate car will usually have the same storage whilst also being lighter, faster and more efficient and driving much better. It's just a shame that as load luggers, estates seem to have gone out of fashion and the SUV has won out.
I accept that when it comes to EVs, the centre of gravity will be lower, the batteries will make any comparable car just as heavy and my main reasons for disliking SUVs are probably less valid. I guess post-pandemic I should go with an open mind and give one or two a test drive. I'll give the e-tron a look
For now, my preference for estates is leading me to the E300de wagon but even then I dislike the big lump in the boot. (Could they have not spread the batteries a bit flatter and raised the whole boot floor a small amount but retained a flat floor?). I'm certainly open to a BEV but the only estate BEV looks to be the MG5 and I'm not sure I want one of those.
Teslas are something else I need to spend some time with I respect them enormously for what they've done but the cars always feel a bit too gimmicky to me. I also don't know how I'd get on with all the controls being on a central touchscreen but that's something only a test drive or similar could answer. A model S could be in budget but it would have to be used and looking on Autotrader, there are a few high milers out there. Does anyone have experience in how battery life varies with age/mileage? Can I still expect 2/300 miles from a charge after 5 years and 100k? If so, it's certainly a contender. The main appeal to me with Teslas is actually their supercharger network rather than the cars themselves.
I was about to say that the id3 looks impressive but I wasn't sure the boot would be big enough. It's larger than I thought at 385L but it's still hard to say if that's enough, especially in terms of length rather than simply volume. It's in contention, though.
I guess the broader question is should I play it safe and get a PHEV which I know will work for me or take a leap into the fully electric world.
I accept that when it comes to EVs, the centre of gravity will be lower, the batteries will make any comparable car just as heavy and my main reasons for disliking SUVs are probably less valid. I guess post-pandemic I should go with an open mind and give one or two a test drive. I'll give the e-tron a look
For now, my preference for estates is leading me to the E300de wagon but even then I dislike the big lump in the boot. (Could they have not spread the batteries a bit flatter and raised the whole boot floor a small amount but retained a flat floor?). I'm certainly open to a BEV but the only estate BEV looks to be the MG5 and I'm not sure I want one of those.
Teslas are something else I need to spend some time with I respect them enormously for what they've done but the cars always feel a bit too gimmicky to me. I also don't know how I'd get on with all the controls being on a central touchscreen but that's something only a test drive or similar could answer. A model S could be in budget but it would have to be used and looking on Autotrader, there are a few high milers out there. Does anyone have experience in how battery life varies with age/mileage? Can I still expect 2/300 miles from a charge after 5 years and 100k? If so, it's certainly a contender. The main appeal to me with Teslas is actually their supercharger network rather than the cars themselves.
I was about to say that the id3 looks impressive but I wasn't sure the boot would be big enough. It's larger than I thought at 385L but it's still hard to say if that's enough, especially in terms of length rather than simply volume. It's in contention, though.
I guess the broader question is should I play it safe and get a PHEV which I know will work for me or take a leap into the fully electric world.
Eliehbeth said:
Does anyone have experience in how battery life varies with age/mileage? Can I still expect 2/300 miles from a charge after 5 years and 100k? If so, it's certainly a contender. The main appeal to me with Teslas is actually their supercharger network rather than the cars themselves.
They seem fine, they have an 8 year warranty which will pass to you. You might also get free charging for the life of the car.The modelS is a popular taxi and there are cars with 500k+ on them still going...
At 100k it might have lost 10% capacity so should still return over 200 miles on a charge. If something goes wrong Tesla just seem to replace the whole battery so you would only win if it did go wrong.
We bought a six year old Model S with 50k miles on it, about six weeks ago.
I agree with you, I didn't fancy an SUV.
I cannot really answer your question range. With the battery charged to 80%, it says it has 190 miles range. Remember that is based on how we have been driving it. Most of our journeys are short, so we do not worry about range and it is driven "enthusiastically". The only "long journey" was 140 mile round trip on a very cold day and I had no concerns about range. Remember as well, with a Tesla, the supercharger network is very good (&growing) and the superchargers are very fast.
I was also concerned about the touch screen as I thought it looked ridiculous. However, it is very intuitive and very easy to use. It is actually very sensible and practical.
The boot (front and rear) is huge. As someone else said, the car is very long and wide. The interior is similarly large. With a young family, you will require a large car.
Personally I think a Model S would be ideal for your needs, but I am not saying it is the best car out there or that you will take to it. Drive one and see what you think, and also drive the others suggested, and see which you prefer.
I agree with you, I didn't fancy an SUV.
I cannot really answer your question range. With the battery charged to 80%, it says it has 190 miles range. Remember that is based on how we have been driving it. Most of our journeys are short, so we do not worry about range and it is driven "enthusiastically". The only "long journey" was 140 mile round trip on a very cold day and I had no concerns about range. Remember as well, with a Tesla, the supercharger network is very good (&growing) and the superchargers are very fast.
I was also concerned about the touch screen as I thought it looked ridiculous. However, it is very intuitive and very easy to use. It is actually very sensible and practical.
The boot (front and rear) is huge. As someone else said, the car is very long and wide. The interior is similarly large. With a young family, you will require a large car.
Personally I think a Model S would be ideal for your needs, but I am not saying it is the best car out there or that you will take to it. Drive one and see what you think, and also drive the others suggested, and see which you prefer.
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I definitely haven't written Tesla off and I'll see if I can get a test drive later in the year so I can see how it actually works for me.
A used Model S sounds like a good shout but currently they still seem too much. The cheapest I can see on Autotrader is a 2014 model with 172k miles for £22,900. For £1000 less I could get an E63 AMG only a year older and with a third of the miles. I think I'd need Model S prices to fall a bit more before I'd consider one. I imagine it's just a scarcity thing as there are only 250 model S's (Ses, Esses, what's the plural?) currently for sale in the UK so I expect prices will fall in coming months/a year as more used model 3s and other used electric cars enter the market. I suppose electric cars haven't been around n volume for long so there isn't the pool of older EVs to keep pace with demand for EVs and that keeps prices high.
The Polestar 2 looks interesting and I'm keeping an eye on that thread to see if it lives up to the hype.
I think my shortlist is looking like:
• V60 d6 Twin Engine (if I'm going to go down the used line, I can get one for half the price of the model S that's newer and significantly lower mileage)
• E300de (If I'm going to get a PHEV, I'd rather have an efficient diesel engine to lug around a heavy car when the battery goes flat rather than relying on a petrol engine that'll only do 30s-40s mpg)
• Polestar 2 (higher than I'd like but I get why because of the batteries and possibly a good compromise between easier to get kids in and out of and not a full SUV)
• Model S (used and only when prices come down)
• Leaf 62KWh (if the boot is big enough - I'd have to see one in person to better judge - shape is as important as volume and it's hard to judge from a picture)
• e-tron/i-pace/whichever is cheaper or comparable (just to make sure I'm not unfairly prejudging them but they're probably least likely at the moment. They're probably out of budget new but I can probably spring for a nearly new one still under warranty.)
A used Model S sounds like a good shout but currently they still seem too much. The cheapest I can see on Autotrader is a 2014 model with 172k miles for £22,900. For £1000 less I could get an E63 AMG only a year older and with a third of the miles. I think I'd need Model S prices to fall a bit more before I'd consider one. I imagine it's just a scarcity thing as there are only 250 model S's (Ses, Esses, what's the plural?) currently for sale in the UK so I expect prices will fall in coming months/a year as more used model 3s and other used electric cars enter the market. I suppose electric cars haven't been around n volume for long so there isn't the pool of older EVs to keep pace with demand for EVs and that keeps prices high.
The Polestar 2 looks interesting and I'm keeping an eye on that thread to see if it lives up to the hype.
I think my shortlist is looking like:
• V60 d6 Twin Engine (if I'm going to go down the used line, I can get one for half the price of the model S that's newer and significantly lower mileage)
• E300de (If I'm going to get a PHEV, I'd rather have an efficient diesel engine to lug around a heavy car when the battery goes flat rather than relying on a petrol engine that'll only do 30s-40s mpg)
• Polestar 2 (higher than I'd like but I get why because of the batteries and possibly a good compromise between easier to get kids in and out of and not a full SUV)
• Model S (used and only when prices come down)
• Leaf 62KWh (if the boot is big enough - I'd have to see one in person to better judge - shape is as important as volume and it's hard to judge from a picture)
• e-tron/i-pace/whichever is cheaper or comparable (just to make sure I'm not unfairly prejudging them but they're probably least likely at the moment. They're probably out of budget new but I can probably spring for a nearly new one still under warranty.)
It looks like you have a sensible list.
I expect Model S prices to fall as Model 3's flood the market. As 3's depreciate, people won't want to pay more for an older car and that will drag the prices of Model S's down.
I also test drove an I Pace before buying. I really liked the I Pace, but for me, it had two negative points. The boot space was tiny (compared to the Tesla) and the cost a lot more (compared to the Tesla). Albeit, the Tesla cost was for a much older car than the I Pace, as they have not been making them as long.
I expect Model S prices to fall as Model 3's flood the market. As 3's depreciate, people won't want to pay more for an older car and that will drag the prices of Model S's down.
I also test drove an I Pace before buying. I really liked the I Pace, but for me, it had two negative points. The boot space was tiny (compared to the Tesla) and the cost a lot more (compared to the Tesla). Albeit, the Tesla cost was for a much older car than the I Pace, as they have not been making them as long.
robbieduncan said:
A nearly new MG5 EV estate would seem to in your price range?
It would and it's a definite maybe. It's great that they're offering something at that price point and I hope it does well to show other OEMs that there's still a market for estates. It's just a shame that there's no equivalent of a 3/5 series touring, Audi Avant or similar. Even Volvo, the former king of estate cars who are apparently committed to electrification don't offer a full BEV estate. Mg don't rate the highest for reliability and the range isn't huge but what they offer for the price is very competitive.My current thinking is that a PHEV would do me for a few years before I get a full BEV but I'd want to keep a BEV for a bit longer. I don't like seeing cars as disposable and try and keep them for while. Ideally I'd just get a full BEV and keep it for a good while and so I'd like something a bit nicer and not just something I could live with. By contrast, a PHEV could be just to tide me over until there's been another 2-3 years of investment in charging infrastructure, and there are more fast chargers that just take contactless and don't require registering with an app first.
Confused you could stretch to a Polestar 2 at £50k but not a used Model S at less than that?
Personally I would take a Polestar 2 over a Model 3 (I did) but would take a Model S over the Polestar 2
The boot on the Polestar is a decent size, where are you based? I have a Model 3 and Polestar on the drive if you wanted to look...
Personally I would take a Polestar 2 over a Model 3 (I did) but would take a Model S over the Polestar 2
The boot on the Polestar is a decent size, where are you based? I have a Model 3 and Polestar on the drive if you wanted to look...
greggy50 said:
Confused you could stretch to a Polestar 2 at £50k but not a used Model S at less than that?
Personally I would take a Polestar 2 over a Model 3 (I did) but would take a Model S over the Polestar 2
The boot on the Polestar is a decent size, where are you based? I have a Model 3 and Polestar on the drive if you wanted to look...
I could stretch to either. The question is one of value. A new, in warranty Polestar 2 with batteries in perfect nick is worth more to me than a used 5 year old Tesla S with starship miles. I'm not dismissing it, I just think the used prices are currently higher than I think the car is worth. Maybe I'm just basing that on how I expect ICE cars to depreciate and the same rules don't apply to EVs.Personally I would take a Polestar 2 over a Model 3 (I did) but would take a Model S over the Polestar 2
The boot on the Polestar is a decent size, where are you based? I have a Model 3 and Polestar on the drive if you wanted to look...
That's very kind of you. I'm probably not looking at making a purchase any time soon as I'm not in a hurry and I'd like to go for a proper test drive in each which is more difficult in current times. I'm just building myself a shortlist so I know where to look later in the year. My only experience of electric cars is driving the Chevy Bolt around the dynamics pad at GM's desert proving ground. I've never taken an EV on the public road before (or a PHEV for that matter) and thought I should try a few options.
Eliehbeth said:
• Leaf 62KWh (if the boot is big enough - I'd have to see one in person to better judge - shape is as important as volume and it's hard to judge from a picture)
Have you looked at the eNiro? It's got more cargo space than the Leaf and an arguably nicer interior. Better range too.
Eliehbeth said:
I could stretch to either. The question is one of value. A new, in warranty Polestar 2 with batteries in perfect nick is worth more to me than a used 5 year old Tesla S with starship miles. I'm not dismissing it, I just think the used prices are currently higher than I think the car is worth. Maybe I'm just basing that on how I expect ICE cars to depreciate and the same rules don't apply to EVs.
That's very kind of you. I'm probably not looking at making a purchase any time soon as I'm not in a hurry and I'd like to go for a proper test drive in each which is more difficult in current times. I'm just building myself a shortlist so I know where to look later in the year. My only experience of electric cars is driving the Chevy Bolt around the dynamics pad at GM's desert proving ground. I've never taken an EV on the public road before (or a PHEV for that matter) and thought I should try a few options.
Hi, I understand your point but for about £45k you get a 3 year old Model S with low miles and several years of warranty left on the battery. That's very kind of you. I'm probably not looking at making a purchase any time soon as I'm not in a hurry and I'd like to go for a proper test drive in each which is more difficult in current times. I'm just building myself a shortlist so I know where to look later in the year. My only experience of electric cars is driving the Chevy Bolt around the dynamics pad at GM's desert proving ground. I've never taken an EV on the public road before (or a PHEV for that matter) and thought I should try a few options.
They do appear to hold their value a lot better than most other electric cars I find.
I think my Polestar is a fantastic car so far but realistically it will do about 200 miles to a charge and you cant use superchargers which for some people can be massive sticking points. For me personally I don't do massive mileage and will be getting a weekend car and therefore as a all round that feels well built and is unique for me its the best electric car on the market for circa. £50k at the moment new.
I would much rather have a used Model S rather than a Model 3 however as you actually get a speedo, proper stalks for wipers and the general build quality is nicer etc. The 3 drives nice but as a package it wasn't really my cup of tea it performs and drives well and has good range but it feels and looks cheap and I found the interior too basic with just the central screen but many people would disagree.
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