Which small electric car would you recommend

[noworklifebalance]

I realise this is not an AIBU but wasn’t sure where to post it.

We are looking to buy an electric car, can be second hand, about the size of a Polo.
Would need to have space in the back for 2 children (8+), so no big car seats or super long legs.
Will be mainly for local-ish driving with occasional 50mile+ trips.

It’s all quite mind boggling and expensive (budget

None unless you are near chargers and have hours to spend waiting for it to charge. At the least get a home charger and don’t plan on going far unless you can charge end of each journey. Range is exaggerated and depends on many variables. It is a fucking pain in arse. I am now preferring my aged banger due to anxiety about charge.

Renault Zoe or Peugeot 208.
All the others look like they were designed by a 5 year old.

Can’t advise on a small electric car as mine is huge, but just to add some balance to the post above about charging. I would agree a home charger is necessary, and if it’s just local driving you will rarely need to use anything else and you probably do have hours eg over night to charge. Out and about there are some fast chargers (usually at service stations and petrol stations) which get my car from close to 0 to 150 miles in about an hour. There are some which would charge it 3x faster than this but the are few and far between. I have only used these on long journeys (over 150 miles round trip), every other time I charge at home. I would say it would be a faff for a journey of over 250 miles as you’d need to charge twice, each time for an hour, which does add up. If you’re doing that regularly then it’s probably not worth it, otherwise I think electric would work for your circumstances.

I've got a Nissan Leaf (2014 model, not new or fancy!) It's pretty small, can park in tiny spaces but fits two children comfortably.

It claims to have a range of 90 miles but in reality I think 60 would be the maximum I'd be comfortable with without access to a charger - range varies depending on the road and the weather! I was a bit uncertain, but I actually love it; it's perfect for my driving and we just plug it in to the mains at home.

VW e-up but I don't own one or Renault Zoe, I think the Zoe is the most popular outside Tesla.

But you are right electric cars aren't exactly cheap yet. I don't think there will be mass adoption until you can get a Polo sized one for £10-15k

Also I think Mitsubishi did one that was rated quite well, but that is out of production now, might not have a great range because they were designed 5 or 6 years ago

I love ours. My best car yet (this one):
mg.co.uk/mg-zs-electric/
Although we do still have a diesel estate for longer journeys. But had this a year now, used it for about 60 miles a day average and not yet had to use a commercial charge - all done at home.
When the mileage gets a big longer we'll be changing the diesel for a second electric.

A second hand Zoe may only give you 40 miles if first generation

I have an electric Mini and bloody love it. It handles like a traditional Mini and everything.

I’m looking for similar!

I only need a small range low spec, due to short commute (would use other family car for longer trips).

Mostly on rural roads (pretty much 95%), so no need for it to be big or nippy. I use winter tyres in the winter so don’t need 4x4 of anything. Ideally something slim - hate driving wide cars on rural roads as PITA.

I’ve absolutely no interest in cars.

I have a Nissan Leaf. I love it. Mine is 2012 . The range is quite low, like the PP said about 60Km.
I love it. I'd love a brand new Leaf, I think they look lovely.

Have you looked at contract hire deals? I'd be worried about the batteries failing and being lumbered with a worthless car.

We have an i3 which is now 6 years old. Does 120 miles on a charge with no problem.

We have a wallbox and it charges in a few hours.

Plenty of room for 4 of us in it for a standard journey and we are all well over 5ft (DH & DS over 6ft).

Not loads of luggage space.

Great to drive, turning circle amazing, easy to park and the acceleration is amazing.

I wouldn't want to go back to a "normal" car for everyday use. DH always want to drive the electric as first choice!

How about a hybrid? Hyundai Kona has plenty of space in the back for passengers.

@Saz12

I’m looking for similar!

I only need a small range low spec, due to short commute (would use other family car for longer trips).

Mostly on rural roads (pretty much 95%), so no need for it to be big or nippy. I use winter tyres in the winter so don’t need 4x4 of anything. Ideally something slim - hate driving wide cars on rural roads as PITA.

I’ve absolutely no interest in cars.

Well you know that a small front wheel drive car with Winter tyres is better in the winter than a 4x4, which more than most.

Honda have released this.....

Just add pink and you have Peppa Pig

@noworklifebalance
There is a Car topic on Mumsnet - you would get answers on that.

We have a 2017 leaf, which does around 100 mes on one charge, which is perfect for us, as I only really use it for school runs and popping around locally. We have a hybrid for longer journeys. Our leaf is a funny looking car, the newer ones 2019 look much nicer, but our budget couldn't stretch to that (with £30,000 you could I think).

We looked at the Zoe, but there was a weird thing with the battery, like I think you leased it or something (I can't remember right now), but it put me off getting it.

Because we have another car that we would take on longer journeys, wall charging at home overnight is fine for us, we've never had to charge it when out or about, so it's worth considering whether you would have to use other chargers and how long you would want your battery life to be.

I have a BMW I3. Does about 110/120 miles.
I love it, it’s lovely to drive.

I charge up at home once a week as every week when I go to Tesco I charge it there while I shop. The gym that I normally attend also has several charging points so when normality returns I shall be charging there instead of at home.

We have a 2011 leaf & it would be perfect for what you want. Super reliable, easy to drive. The range isn’t great as it’s 10 years old now, but perfectly good enough for local pottering.

And probably really cheap 2nd hand!

Many thanks all - really useful info. I find the whole thing so difficult to pick apart.
We have a driveway so will be able install a charging point.
Re: hybrid - will need to check whether it will be ok with the ULEZ, which we will be driving in and out of a few times a week.

@Lemmeout

None unless you are near chargers and have hours to spend waiting for it to charge. At the least get a home charger and don’t plan on going far unless you can charge end of each journey. Range is exaggerated and depends on many variables. It is a fucking pain in arse. I am now preferring my aged banger due to anxiety about charge.

Why do people do this? Genuinely, why?

OP has said the car will be for mainly local trips. OP has said the longest journey is 50+ miles which even as a round trip encompasses nearly all new models.

Yet first comment is someone talking range anxiety and "don't do it" - and also going into needing a home charger (OP hasn't specified whether they have a drive and clearly have thought about charging if they're buying an electric car )

@noworklifebalance I agree with PP that the Cars forum is a better place so you get more informed comment and less chips pissers but here goes;

Your best bet at that price might be a used or new Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe or BMW i3 120kw (I say used or new because for the BMW you'll need to go nearly new probably).

They are all well established small electric cars on their 2nd generation of model, and have decent range (if you're getting the latest version of the Zoe or the 120kwh BMW then you're looking at a real world range of 180 miles on a charge).

That sounds like it'll be enough for the trips you described.

For me the Zoe might not be the most exciting but it's a hell of a package in terms of driving range. It starts at just under £30k and the fact you're good for 180-200 miles in real world range means the range anxiety issue is covered.

I have a Renault Zoe. I love it! Its advertised range is 245 miles. I get approx 200. I have a wall charger at home. One piece of advice I was given was "don't be waiting to charge", ie if you're at the supermarket and there's a charger, charge it whilst shopping. Or charge overnight.

My oh has an e-golf, the range is 145, and takes twice as long to charge.

Each electric car has different features, batteries sizes, ranges, etc.

If you mainly town drive you won't need to charge often as braking and low speeds recoup the charge.

Any hybrid will be ULEZ-compliant.

In fact any petrol-engined car made after 2005 will be.

I think electric cars are exempt from the congestion charge (for now).