Considering an electric car, but...

[VenusClapTrap]

They’re not as green as they’re cracked up to be, are they? Is it still worth it? I like the idea of not funding certain oil producing countries/regimes though.

Reduce Recycle Re-use. Much better than buying new. Having said that I like the idea of an electric car but currently they are all too small and don’t look nice.

I will wait for a large SUV or Pickup. Maybe Chevrolet will make a electric suburban.

Range is another important factor as I live remotely and never go into cities.

Also the access to charging needs to be looked at. We don’t have a driveway and very rarely manage to park anywhere near our house so it was a complete no go for us when we had to replace my dead car.

When I had to replace my 14yo Toyota we went for a PHEV. I was very sceptical but a year in I love it. It's an amazing car, fun to drive, quiet but that's not been an issue so far even on the school run, charging is easy once you get used to it.
I charge mine mostly at home and have a home charging point from solar panels and an eco tariff.
It's not a cheap option and it's not perfect option either but it's a good start for us.
Next time we upgrade we will probably go fully electric but I expect the options will be better as they are changing so much at the moment.

We have a Tesla. We bought one someone else ordered then didn't want so it was cheaper.

We also have solar panels so it is completely free most of the time.

I have a Nissan Leaf, and it is lovely to drive. I charge at home, and this does for 95% of what I need. The electricity I use costs me approx £75 per quarter, I used to spend this at least on petrol per month. In addition there is no road tax, so it does make for cheaper motoring.

In my experience, chargers at motorway services have been good and reliable, but elsewhere less so. The infrastructure needs to be greatly improved, not least from the aspects of so many different providers, and needing umpteen apps and cards to use the chargers.

It is definitely the way of the future, and it is exciting to be part of the beginning of the story, but there is certainly a long way to go yet.

Thanks everyone. Some car suggestions I haven’t researched here so I’ll investigate them. Much to think about! I’m impressed that solar panels can almost cover the charging.

Our solar panels cover all local driving and we got over £1000 back from the grid so that more than covered any paid charging this year. We use Tesla super chargers at motorway service stations on long trips.

We really don't miss paying for diesel.

Our Solar Panels easily cover the charge for our Leaf and more.

I love our Leaf, it's so easy to drive and is surprisingly roomy.

The only thing I would say with regard to the quietness is that, although it isn't completely silent, people don't recognise the sound in car parks so you have to be very aware.

Newer electric cars are fitted with ADAS and pedestrian alert which automatically brake if the detect that they're about to hit a pedestrian.

We have a PHEV. Would have loved full electric but DH can do 250 mile round trips with work so it wouldn't work for us.

We have the Hyundai Ioniq and love it actually. It's a nice halfway house, the electric helps the mpg and saves us a few pounds.

We have a Tesla Model S and love it. It's really quiet and smooth to drive compared to a petrol or diesel. We usually charge overnight at home on economy 7 electricity, so running costs are low and we don't have to make special trips to a petrol station, which makes it far more convenient. On long journeys it has plenty of range and the Tesla Superchargers at motorway services recharge very rapidly. As soon as you've popped to the loo and grabbed a coffee the car is ready to go again. For non Tesla EVs, long distance driving is still hit and miss, but I think we're not far off now with the promise of 100kW, 150kW and even 350kW chargers on the way, which will offer very rapid recharging once they're rolled out.

I had a zoe. Absolutely loved it. I'm now car-less but would get another one in a heartbeat if I needed a car. Accelerated like a bullet. So cheap to drive.
Mainly charged at home and I used a supplier that got a great percentage of their energy from renewable supplies.

I had a look at the Zoe as there are newer ones with a much further range which is better if you live where I do in the countryside. But something not mentioned so far on this thread is the production of the batteries and the mining of the rare metals required for them.

@picklemepumpkin and @wonkylegs what PHEV do you have please?

I drive a Hyundai Kona Electric....absolutely love it. It does approx 300 miles between charges if I drive economically! Fabulous acceleration, takes 3 children comfortably in the rear seats and is absolutely stuffed full of safety features. Generally only ever charge at home, we have solar panels that trickle charge to top up for free if needed and a rapid charger only takes 45 mins to charge up to 90%.
I’ve also noticed an enormous improvement in the number of electric chargers being put in and around our local area/nationally.

@JohnCRaven
I've got the VW Golf GTE

I've just started driving a hybrid. I think the green credentials are still up for debate and the range of the batteries is bound to improve but, compared to the diesel cars I've driven up to now, it's definitely not adding to local pollution

My biggest criticism so far is the positioning of public chargepoints. Great when they're in a supermarket car park or a multistorey near shops but so many of them seem to be in places where it would be difficult to while away a couple of hours as it charges.

I have a Golf GTE through work and LOVE it! I got 1067 miles out of my last tank of fuel as I didn't do any motorway journeys and drove REALLY carefully - generally I expect around 500 + on a tank. I charge it at home (takes about 3 hours ) and then at work . Officially 27 miles electric but thats only if you go 30 miles and hour everywhere. In a mix of 30 mph and NSL roads I get 15 miles.

I always use electric when in a built up area but do have to be extra cautious of pedestrians who just dont look for cars anymore, they only listen for them!

I'm not sure if it is the most environmentally friendly car but I like to think that I've done a little bit of good by not pumping out exhaust fumes in a built up area.