ELECTRIC CARS

SuperDriver has 2 Electric Cars

Are they any good?

Updated 1 November 2020

Maintenance

Maintenance is minimal as there are less moving parts.  In 6 years my cars have not required much maintenance.  There were no power train faults or battery faults.

What do they cost?

These cars are not cheap and that is changing... slowly.  Used prices are coming down.  50Kwh batteries are game changes giving 200 plus miles of range.  That's plenty for me as a driving instructor.  My Renault Zoe was £22k and that is with the battery included.  That was back in October 2021.  I've done over 40,000 miles.  There's been a few faults but nothing that has stopped me working.

Waiting times for new EVs can be long.  If you want one now, buy a pre-reg or a 1 year old car.     

All the main car manufacturers have new EVS.  Prices start from around £20k.  The lowest priced EV seems to be from MG with great specs and 50kw plus battery.

What are electric cars like to drive?  How far will it go?

It's the number one question i get asked.  Range depends on how efficient the car is and the size of the battery.  My Renault Zoe will do 230+ miles in the summer and in winter about 170 - that's mixed roads driving.  If i have a heavy right foot or if i am travelling at motorway speeds the range will decrease.  I can easily do 6 training hours per day and that is sufficient for my needs.

Electric cars are smooth and quiet.  A relaxing place to be.  You cannot tell that a gear change is happening like some petrol/diesels, because there are no gears.  Its just forward and reverse.  I've never driven a Rolls Royce but I would imagine the gear changes are equally smooth.  That's where the comparison ends though!  The Renault Zoe has a 'engine sound' at low speed (less than 18mph), this alerts pedestrians to it.  It's a false noise, the motor is ultra-quiet.  The air conditioning is louder than the car! 

Everything is within reach, its very simple to drive.  The touch screen is ok.  I'm not into meddling with it so its at all its basic settings.  It links okay to the app that allows me to start charging at the touch of a button if its plugged in.  I can also set the heating controls to cool the car or warm it up without setting foot outdoors.  It clears the windscreen and warms the car up perfectly on a cold winters day.

Cars with batteries are heavy, i would say half a ton more at least compared to their petrol/diesel equivalent in the super mini size category.  It doesn't feel like it but on the motorways the Zoe feels planted and less swayed in windy conditions.

There's plenty of reviews out there and lots on you tube.

LONG JOURNEYS

I have 2 long distance trips to make every year.  Devon and Scotland.  Plan Plan and more Planning is needed.  Where are the chargers.

WAS IT THE RIGHT DECISION FOR ME?

Absolutely.  The Renault Zoe looks like any other car and really doesn't drive much different.  All the controls are where they should be and it isn't overly complicated.  It suits me and my customers love it.  Its cheaper to run and so far more reliable.  Over the coming years more and more driving instructors have and will move to electric especially in advance on the ban of new petrol and diesel car sales.

I am happy to talk more about my experience with Electric Cars, feel free to call on 07812377119.  BBC news have provided an interesting article including Q&A - click here.