Car help

[Lazkir]

One thing to think about and check is the batteries and whether you're owning them or leasing them and whether your insurance covers them in the event of theft or loss.
My wife works in the car insurance field, and has seen issues arise whereby an electric car is written off but the batteries aren't covered and the owner was left having to suffer the loss on the batteries.

I have a Renault ZE Van fully electric, and I initially had that problem with the insurance companies (my battery is leased). Very few insure the battery separately, so it was a nightmare at first.
But now you just add the cost of the battery to the vehicle's value and that works fine for both the manufacturers and the insurers. I have no problems getting cheap insurance now, L.V. were the best for me. (YMMV).

As for electric... wow! I have a BMW X1 sat on a drive that hardly gets used. Much prefer to drive my little dodgem van around.

 

[chrisd]

I have a Renault ZE Van fully electric, and I initially had that problem with the insurance companies (my battery is leased). Very few insure the battery separately, so it was a nightmare at first.
But now you just add the cost of the battery to the vehicle's value and that works fine for both the manufacturers and the insurers. I have no problems getting cheap insurance now, L.V. were the best for me. (YMMV).

As for electric... wow! I have a BMW X1 sat on a drive that hardly gets used. Much prefer to drive my little dodgem van around.

Thanks for this ^^^^^

 

[Lazkir]

One other thing to add about electric cars that hardly gets a mention, but it's very important.
In winter, there's two issues. 1. the heater is really poor, just about takes the edge of the cold. 2. When using the heater, range is pretty much halved.
This can be mitigated by being able to pre-heat the car whilst it's still plugged into the mains. But the simple fact is that to keep the car a reasonable temp does use a lot of the battery power.

 

[Smiffy]

Because there are no petrol fumes around with an electric car, I just used to suggest customers started a little bonfire in the footwell to keep themselves warm during the colder months.

 

[chrisd]

Because there are no petrol fumes around with an electric car, I just used to suggest customers started a little bonfire in the footwell to keep themselves warm during the colder months.

Guy Fawkes night would have been fun!

I'm test driving one on Friday Rob, I'll look out for soot and charcoal.

 

[Smiffy]

Guy Fawkes night would have been fun!

I'm test driving one on Friday Rob, I'll look out for soot and charcoal.

You will love it Chris. No noise from the engine seems a bit weird but they absolutely fly mate.
Make sure it's not in "Eco" mode when you drive it, a Golf GTi would struggle to stay with it 0-60

 

[Lazkir]

You will love it Chris. No noise from the engine seems a bit weird but they absolutely fly mate.
Make sure it's not in "Eco" mode when you drive it, a Golf GTi would struggle to stay with it 0-60

Agreed, love the linear acceleration Also sneaking up on people can be quite fun as well

 

[USER1999]

Agreed, love the linear acceleration Also sneaking up on people can be quite fun as well

Book figure 0 to 60 is 11 seconds. That isnt exactly fast though. May be in gear accel is better?

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Just wait till the mandatory warning sounded is brought in, you'll think you have tinitus or need ear defenders.
just in the last week I have seen2 people almost knocked over by electric cars due to not hearing them.

 

[MegaSteve]

Genuinely feel electric vehicles can be a danger in an urban environment...

 

[Smiffy]

Genuinely feel electric vehicles can be a danger in an urban environment...

We advised people to beep their horns a lot

 

[MegaSteve]

We advised people to beep their horns a lot

I can understand that...

Nearly been taken out myself, a couple of times, as you are not really aware they are there.. Think you've said, in the past, some models emit some kind of a 'noise' below a certain speed...

 

[Smiffy]

I can understand that...

Nearly been taken out myself, a couple of times, as you are not really aware they are there.. Think you've said, in the past, some models emit some kind of a 'noise' below a certain speed...

The Leaf makes a high pitched whistle at speeds below 18mph.
But you can hardly hear it if I'm honest.

 

[OnTour]

Great drive just not quiet there in my book, really quick and roomy but 70-80 miles per charge don't believe the 110-120 scam

Worthless when they finally get the range extended

QUOTE=chrisd;1734929]Any thoughts on Nissan Leaf?[/QUOTE]

 

[chrisd]

You will love it Chris. No noise from the engine seems a bit weird but they absolutely fly mate.
Make sure it's not in "Eco" mode when you drive it, a Golf GTi would struggle to stay with it 0-60

I was told by the rep that it would beat a qashqai on a standing start

 

[chrisd]

Great drive just not quiet there in my book, really quick and roomy but 70-80 miles per charge don't believe the 110-120 scam

Worthless when they finally get the range extended

I'm thinking there will be no real value in it if we keep it 5 years but by then the batteries could still be under warranty

 

[chrisd]

We had a test drive in a Nissan Leaf Tenka and loved the drive, we did a decent part ex deal.

Thanks to all for your opinions and advice

 

[Lazkir]

Enjoy mate, I hope you get as much fun and use out of it as we do ours.

 

[chrisd]

Enjoy mate, I hope you get as much fun and use out of it as we do ours.

I do too, many thanks

 

[OnTour]

Did you buy new? There really great cars 👍 just hurts when you see resale values 2-3 yes down the line - but if your keeping it forever no issues I love free road tax 😀 hate paying for my nearly 8 year old abarth 500 at £180 to sit on the drive 3-5 days a week 👎