Plug in Hybrid options
Discussion
Looking for a Hybrid for my elderly mum, she's 78 but still driving well. She has an old Corolla which is near retirement so looking for a plug in Hybrid, most of her trips are short, 2-5 miles or the odd 30 -40 mile round trip. As such I don't think a self charging one was a good option as she won't stretch it's legs on the motorway enough to charge the batteries.
She's not mentally ready to go full EV, that panic of running out of battery power, and I get that as she's elderly. Want to get something in the next month or so, looking at 2nd hand but fairly new, what would you guys recommended, sort of corolla size.
She's not mentally ready to go full EV, that panic of running out of battery power, and I get that as she's elderly. Want to get something in the next month or so, looking at 2nd hand but fairly new, what would you guys recommended, sort of corolla size.
Scrump said:
Do you need a motorway journey to charge the batteries on a non plug in hybrid?
I thought they worked best around town where the frequent braking charges the batteries and they have sufficient stored energy to assist the ice when accelerating from standstill etc. Taxi drivers seem to like using the prius for town work.
My wife's old Toyota self charging hybrid didn't charge much until you gave it a run on the motorway. This was about 4 years ago so perhaps technology has moved on I thought they worked best around town where the frequent braking charges the batteries and they have sufficient stored energy to assist the ice when accelerating from standstill etc. Taxi drivers seem to like using the prius for town work.
Bannock said:
I don't know, I suppose you'll need to shop around. I've bought 2 second hand Leafs, both from Nissan dealers. The cars and service have been fine, but I probably overpaid a little. I think it's probably worth it though for peace of mind. I get the car serviced at the main dealer every year to keep up with any software updates, and it also earns a year's free brekdown recovery (which I've never needed). Also, servicing is way cheaper than for an ICE car so paying main dealer prices is fine.
Cheers, look like we will be going 2nd hand - 2019 or 2020 model. as all the new ones are 'Pipeline stock' which in old speak means, we don't have any stock. Bannock said:
I don't think either of you would regret it. My Mum (74) is desperate to be able to buy an EV to take advantage of her solar panels and domestic battery array a bit more. Couple of things to sort out finacially and she should be able to do it in a couple of years. She loves my Leaf. I think she'll probably go for an MG ZS as she's after somethig a bit more sitty-up with some ground clearance as she lives down an unmade track.
Good luck whatever you choose, keep us posted!
Well, we pulled the trigger on a 20 plate Nissan Leaf from Cazoo, they have been a bit poor sorting a few small scratches out but we are getting there. Initially my mum found the car to be quite big (coming from a 03 plate Toyota Corolla). However she's soon got used to it and 'really likes' it. She only drove 8 miles last week and has only need to do one charge so far. I drove it along a dual carriage way and country road 30 mile trip and it was spot on. Good luck whatever you choose, keep us posted!
Edited by Bannock on Tuesday 24th May 12:43
Also got decent money for the Toyota
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