Electric cars

[Cloud]

Been electric since 2018, I'm on my second Zoe now and I can finally say electric suits my needs completely.

First one was 22kWh, realistically 60-70 miles range at this time of year (80-90 summer), depending on roads and driving style. With only AC charging (albeit triple phase 22kW) as well it was lovely for going to work but an absolute ball ache for going any kind of distance.
First one was also less reliable, it was in and out of the dealers constantly for things failing. It would've put me off Zoes but was still the most reasonable upgrade and my dealer is good.

Second one, the ZE50 with CCS, touch wood it's been perfect. I have some concerns around vibration on rough road surfaces and wub-wub noises on some bends on smooth surfaces at the moment that I'm going to ask about, but these are tyre, wheel bearing or suspension issues rather than electrical problems.

This one is currently indicating 120 miles (lol) but this is because I'm doing lots of 1 mile journeys spending more energy pre-heating/defrosting than moving. Confident it'd do a good 150-160 on a longer run. Solid 190-200 in the summer.

Having over 100 miles range and DC charging are IMO what make it practical rather than a sacrifice. I rarely go further than that and if I do, I want a break every so often so the charging is no issue.


ETA: the original Renault 5 was my first car so I'm very tempted to pick one up second hand in a few years.

 

[Kratz]

Yes, the 5 looks like it is going to be a hit. The Alpine version looks lit also.

 

[Rufus Jim]

Been electric since 2018, I'm on my second Zoe now and I can finally say electric suits my needs completely.

First one was 22kWh, realistically 60-70 miles range at this time of year (80-90 summer), depending on roads and driving style. With only AC charging (albeit triple phase 22kW) as well it was lovely for going to work but an absolute ball ache for going any kind of distance.
First one was also less reliable, it was in and out of the dealers constantly for things failing. It would've put me off Zoes but was still the most reasonable upgrade and my dealer is good.

Second one, the ZE50 with CCS, touch wood it's been perfect. I have some concerns around vibration on rough road surfaces and wub-wub noises on some bends on smooth surfaces at the moment that I'm going to ask about, but these are tyre, wheel bearing or suspension issues rather than electrical problems.

This one is currently indicating 120 miles (lol) but this is because I'm doing lots of 1 mile journeys spending more energy pre-heating/defrosting than moving. Confident it'd do a good 150-160 on a longer run. Solid 190-200 in the summer.

Having over 100 miles range and DC charging are IMO what make it practical rather than a sacrifice. I rarely go further than that and if I do, I want a break every so often so the charging is no issue.


ETA: the original Renault 5 was my first car so I'm very tempted to pick one up second hand in a few years.

The difference between the early 22kWh and the ZE50 really shows how much the tech moved on in just a few years. I'm impressed you stuck with it after all the dealer visits on the first one, that would've put me right off. The range thing is so relatable though, those short winter trips absolutely murder the efficiency when you're spending more juice heating the car than actually driving it. But 150-160 miles real world range is pretty decent for most people's needs, and like you say, having that DC charging makes all the difference for longer trips. The new Renault 5 looks like it could be a right little gem when they start hitting the used market. Sounds like you've found your sweet spot with the current setup!

 

[Cloud]

The difference between the early 22kWh and the ZE50 really shows how much the tech moved on in just a few years. I'm impressed you stuck with it after all the dealer visits on the first one, that would've put me right off. The range thing is so relatable though, those short winter trips absolutely murder the efficiency when you're spending more juice heating the car than actually driving it. But 150-160 miles real world range is pretty decent for most people's needs, and like you say, having that DC charging makes all the difference for longer trips. The new Renault 5 looks like it could be a right little gem when they start hitting the used market. Sounds like you've found your sweet spot with the current setup!

Absolutely

I think in most cases I'd have been put off. But the Zoe remained basically the only affordable upgrade if I didn't want to get saddled with debt, use a PCP to drive something I can't afford or drop back to petrol. Going back to the dealer to trade it in for an upgrade was also the best way to get rid of the dreaded battery lease (just in time, before the finance branch of Renault started bending people over a barrel when their MK1 Zoes got uneconomical-to-repair faults). Thankfully this one so far (again with the wood touching) seems a lot more reliable. My only concern is a bit of a noise that sounds like a bad wheel bearing and how the dealers want to charge £120 to even look at it (refundable IF they find out why and IF it's covered under warranty) but that's basically how any main dealership operates. At least it's working, and according to the local indie, safe to drive.

It's so much better being able to go basically anywhere without worrying. There were some journeys in winter (across the hills) where the 55-60 mile winter range of the old one turned a 2 hour journey into a 5 hour one with a lot of arse clenching due to a charging desert with only an 11kW AC point in the middle and busy-as-hell services at either end. I've come across no such journey in this with 120 miles being worst case dead of winter with a lead foot. Of course the charge network has also improved, but not for those relying on 22kW AC.

As much as I despise their CEO, Tesla's chargers being open to all is quite handy as well.