Small-ish EV as only car
Discussion
Hi,
So my sister is set on getting an EV. Her MiTo is getting on a bit and she'd like to have a look.
Range isn't that important for her (she does about 50km/week) and she doesn't have kids.
For the "once in a year" further trip a reasonable fast charging speed would be greatly appreciated.
In the end, I narrowed it down to three cars she's probably going to test drive:
Peugeot e208
MINI SE
Renault Zoe
The e208 seems to take preference now, the MINI because of range and charging seems like a risk to take as an only car (same reasons we didn't include the Honda E).
I've got a couple questions though.
So my sister is set on getting an EV. Her MiTo is getting on a bit and she'd like to have a look.
Range isn't that important for her (she does about 50km/week) and she doesn't have kids.
For the "once in a year" further trip a reasonable fast charging speed would be greatly appreciated.
In the end, I narrowed it down to three cars she's probably going to test drive:
Peugeot e208
MINI SE
Renault Zoe
The e208 seems to take preference now, the MINI because of range and charging seems like a risk to take as an only car (same reasons we didn't include the Honda E).
I've got a couple questions though.
- Am I forgetting any obvious ones?
- Is it possible to get a towing hook on any of these (for bicycle rack)
- I've found conflicting reports on Android Auto for the MINI, is it available? (the other two seem to have it)
Others to consider
Corsa e
BMW i3 - if you can get a deal
Mazda mx 30
Citroen ds3
Or a deal on a newish 2nd hand egolf - motorpoint have some in at the moment.
You might struggle on tow bars, but Thule roof rack could work. They do take a hit on range though.
In the circumstances I’d favour the Peugeot / corsa.
Corsa e
BMW i3 - if you can get a deal
Mazda mx 30
Citroen ds3
Or a deal on a newish 2nd hand egolf - motorpoint have some in at the moment.
You might struggle on tow bars, but Thule roof rack could work. They do take a hit on range though.
In the circumstances I’d favour the Peugeot / corsa.
Mikehig said:
As her mileage is so low, wouldn't a PHEV be a better option?
It would always run on battery except for the once-a-year trip which would then not have any range/charging concerns.
Not sure how it would compare price-wise: possibly cheaper? And more likely to be able to fit a tow-bar?
While I see your point, her current car is now well over a decade old, so she keeps her cars long time. Regulations here (Benelux) have been cracking down on PHEV's year after year.It would always run on battery except for the once-a-year trip which would then not have any range/charging concerns.
Not sure how it would compare price-wise: possibly cheaper? And more likely to be able to fit a tow-bar?
Another point of consideration for her is that she can charge on a couple of locations on a weekly basis (not at home or at work), which she would utilize. A BEV with +150km range will allow her to bridge it for a couple of weeks, a PHEV with 30km would struggle.
In the end she really wants a BEV and I can't blame her.
But to follow on the PHEV path, are their any interesting small-ish PHEV's?
Peugeot has a couple iirc?
Do anything you can to have a go in an I3. I had exactly the same view of the I3s looks so I wouldn't go near it and instead test drove the Mini, Honda, and Zoe ( I also had a Tesla model 3 for 6 months). I sort of accidentally got an I3 on a rental and after a day with it I realised it was the car I had been looking for and went out and bought one.
Brink do bike-only towbars for a lot of EVs now. The ball has little nubs on the side so you can’t tow but can fit a bike rack.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brink-Towbar-for-Renaul...
ID.3 is a little larger but has the factory option of a “transport hitch” that goes neatly behind the numberplate and is for carrying bikes.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brink-Towbar-for-Renaul...
ID.3 is a little larger but has the factory option of a “transport hitch” that goes neatly behind the numberplate and is for carrying bikes.
From what reviews that I have seen, Stelantis products seem pretty good and on-point for what people want. All have the same drivetrain & battery combinations, but differing styling and target market. Watched Johnny Smith do a back-to-back on the 2008, Citroen and Corsa models. Impressed by them all being different, but rated them. I suspect it will come down to personal perspective and pricing though.
SWoll said:
Agree, but if you don't like the looks..
For the budget the ID3 looks a solid overall package offering practicality, range, performance, charging speeds and bike carrying ability?
Yeah, the ID3 is shortlisted as well now.For the budget the ID3 looks a solid overall package offering practicality, range, performance, charging speeds and bike carrying ability?
I've seen most cars have aftermarket towing hooks that can only carry bicycle racks, but she'd like the manufacturer option.
VW ID3
Hyundai Kona Electric
I haven't seen the 2021 Kona Electric yet, looks great on the pictures.
ZesPak said:
Mikehig said:
As her mileage is so low, wouldn't a PHEV be a better option?
It would always run on battery except for the once-a-year trip which would then not have any range/charging concerns.
Not sure how it would compare price-wise: possibly cheaper? And more likely to be able to fit a tow-bar?
While I see your point, her current car is now well over a decade old, so she keeps her cars long time. Regulations here (Benelux) have been cracking down on PHEV's year after year.It would always run on battery except for the once-a-year trip which would then not have any range/charging concerns.
Not sure how it would compare price-wise: possibly cheaper? And more likely to be able to fit a tow-bar?
Another point of consideration for her is that she can charge on a couple of locations on a weekly basis (not at home or at work), which she would utilize. A BEV with +150km range will allow her to bridge it for a couple of weeks, a PHEV with 30km would struggle.
In the end she really wants a BEV and I can't blame her.
But to follow on the PHEV path, are their any interesting small-ish PHEV's?
Peugeot has a couple iirc?
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