Electric cars

I boughta Mazda MX30 in January. Second hand from Motorpoint £14k with only 4000 on the clock. 10 year battery warranty. Hands down its the best car I've ever owned. Beautiful build, top not audio but the instant heat (clears a frozen windscreen in seconds) and (instant air-con in the summer) make it lovely to be in. I love the instant acceleration from a stop.

One big draw back is a range of only 100 miles but for me, commuting in Warrington and within easy reach of Manchester, Chester and Liverpool its great. I stick it on charge for a couple of hours on a friday night and it does me for the whole week.

We also have a petrol car for long journeys but the electric is the go to car. Its great.
 
crooky said:
The problem is simply that to run an electric car in a reasonable manner also requires you be a homeowner as well.

It's a very high price of entry with the average house price being £290k and far over £300k if you exclude flats and terraced houses.
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So don’t run one then, pick what suits your needs best. I can’t charge at home anymore as we moved from having a drive to allocated parking in a courtyard, but I am lucky enough to have a train station with charging for 20p a kWh a five walk away. Of If I didn’t have that I’d go back to petrol.

I would also say tenants with drives can get chargers installed, so don’t have to own a home - we did this before moving to our own house.
 
tweety said:
Your big mistake was buying French, their cars are shite.
Click to expand...
But they are not. They rank around 8-10th out of 35 manufacturers.
Even in their worse patch they ranked in the middle. So no, they are not "shite". Not the best, but not shite.
I've owned nearly every major brand at some point except BMW. (Not sure why, they have never appealed to me)

I've found all brands have certain flaws. Go on any car forum, and you will see what i mean. The only way to gain some form of reliability is to buy new.
Apart from the odd car, new cars seem to only suffer user problems. Ie my infotainment doesn't update or apple car play glitches etc.

Toyota's are reliable, but they are not immune to failures. The problem i found with them is there isn't a single one i want to drive. Prius are are mainly driven by old people or Uber drivers. I'd rather get the bus than own one!
 
As it happens I'm trading in the Prius today, it's given me 7 years of total reliability and 150k miles of stress free driving. Unfortunately it's an old lady now and the dreaded MOT was about to catch up on her. I'm hoping the Honda I've bought is just as good.
 
tweety said:
As it happens I'm trading in the Prius today, it's given me 7 years of total reliability and 150k miles of stress free driving. Unfortunately it's an old lady now and the dreaded MOT was about to catch up on her. I'm hoping the Honda I've bought is just as good.
Click to expand...
Honestly, good luck. Nothing beats getting mega miles without major trouble. It's like free motoring!
As i posted somewhere above, my Citroen C4 was the most reliable car i've ever owned. A Citroen for god's sake!
 
I've just re-read a statement from Volvo in 2021 that they will cease ICE cars by 2030.
I remember at the time thinking this was utter madness. The infrastructure just wasn't there. Charging stations were few and far between, and Superchargers were only just appearing. I was sure they would go bump.

Yet skip forwards just 4 years, and look how far things have come. Chargers are everywhere. Electric car range has improved immensely. Garages are getting up to speed with service/repairs. There is a growing independent car market for battery repair/replacement. EV's are dropping in price, and are getting better each year.

I always said i wouldn't go EV until they had a 500-600 mile range. I assumed that would be very near the deadline. yet they are already here (as such). Yet i jumped aboard with an EV range of 280. Then found out that we could have managed with a much smaller range. I realised how seldom we actual do more than 50 miles a day. With more charging stations, range is even less of an issue. I think charging times needs to be the new focus. A ten minute 10-80% is all that is needed. We already have 15 mins tech, so not too far away.

Then Volvo announced last year that they are not sure when to go EV only. The constant changes to the timeline by the Government is confusing manufacturers and consumers. Dropping then restarting EV grants. Luxury taxes on EV's above £40k. It's a right mess.

The Government needs to create a clear roadmap. Be transparent on how the revenue from fossil fuel is going to be replaced/charged. Pick a timeline, and then stick to it.
If what we have seen in the last 4 years is anything to go by, then another 6 years should iron out most if not all problems that still exist. It can be done, it just needs the idiots in charge to get their act together...
 
Churchlawtonblue said:
Which ev cars do 500 to 600 mile? I dont think any do that much do they?
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500 miles today, yes. 600+ miles in prototypes for 2026. Of course none will reach that in most normal driving situations. And it's mainly very expensive cars. The tech will trickle down though. Even the new MG IM5 can do an official range of 441. So it's not just top end Mercs with a recently updated 511 available today. That competes with the Lucid Air at 512 miles.

I'm sure Tesla will not let others overtake them. I believe they have access to the new CATL batteries. These batteries use a hybrid formula. These give performance and range. They have managed to get 932 miles so far. What the real world figures will be is interesting.
The more interesting bit is they can add 323 miles with a 5 minute charge.
Since you need to stop driving every two/three hours (210 miles) for a short break on a motorway, even the fastest pee in the world would see the battery range actually increase every stop.
 
fulabeer said:
500 miles today, yes. 600+ miles in prototypes for 2026. Of course none will reach that in most normal driving situations. And it's mainly very expensive cars. The tech will trickle down though. Even the new MG IM5 can do an official range of 441. So it's not just top end Mercs with a recently updated 511 available today. That competes with the Lucid Air at 512 miles.

I'm sure Tesla will not let others overtake them. I believe they have access to the new CATL batteries. These batteries use a hybrid formula. These give performance and range. They have managed to get 932 miles so far. What the real world figures will be is interesting.
The more interesting bit is they can add 323 miles with a 5 minute charge.
Since you need to stop driving every two/three hours (210 miles) for a short break on a motorway, even the fastest pee in the world would see the battery range actually increase every stop.
Click to expand...

I realise my next car is likely to be a hybrid or possibly an ev, so I have been looking into this a bit, as the range does concern me. True I don't drive long distance as much as I used to these days but the sinple fact is I dont want to stop every 200 miles or so for 45mins. My current car easily does 600miles on tank.


pod-point.com

Top 10 Electric Cars with the Longest Range in 2025 | Pod

A guide exploring which electric car has the best range in the UK and comparing the ten longest range electric vehicles (EVs) currently available.
pod-point.com pod-point.com

Evs dont do anywhere near 500miles according to the article above and that's before taking off about 50% for real world conditions and the recommended charging requirements.

I know a sales company based in Stoke that has just changed their Teslas back to ICE cars as they couldn't drive them to west London and back on a single charge, that's only 340miles.

What is clear is the exaggeration of range by ev vehicles makers and the effect of not charging your car "correctly " can have on your ev range and its battery degradation.

Isnt it true that if you own an ev you should avoid fully charging or depleting the battery, since keeping the charge between 50% and 80% helps preserve battery health. This means your effective range before charging is actually only about half what is stated? I have read that in several places.

Extreme heat or cold can reduce battery lifespan.

Too much fast charging: Frequent use of fast chargers can degrade the battery faster than slower, regular charging , isn't this true?
 
fulabeer said:
I've just re-read a statement from Volvo in 2021 that they will cease ICE cars by 2030.
I remember at the time thinking this was utter madness. The infrastructure just wasn't there. Charging stations were few and far between, and Superchargers were only just appearing. I was sure they would go bump.

Yet skip forwards just 4 years, and look how far things have come. Chargers are everywhere. Electric car range has improved immensely. Garages are getting up to speed with service/repairs. There is a growing independent car market for battery repair/replacement. EV's are dropping in price, and are getting better each year.

I always said i wouldn't go EV until they had a 500-600 mile range. I assumed that would be very near the deadline. yet they are already here (as such). Yet i jumped aboard with an EV range of 280. Then found out that we could have managed with a much smaller range. I realised how seldom we actual do more than 50 miles a day. With more charging stations, range is even less of an issue. I think charging times needs to be the new focus. A ten minute 10-80% is all that is needed. We already have 15 mins tech, so not too far away.

Then Volvo announced last year that they are not sure when to go EV only. The constant changes to the timeline by the Government is confusing manufacturers and consumers. Dropping then restarting EV grants. Luxury taxes on EV's above £40k. It's a right mess.

The Government needs to create a clear roadmap. Be transparent on how the revenue from fossil fuel is going to be replaced/charged. Pick a timeline, and then stick to it.
If what we have seen in the last 4 years is anything to go by, then another 6 years should iron out most if not all problems that still exist. It can be done, it just needs the idiots in charge to get their act together...
Click to expand...
Chargers are everywhere you say. I live in Warrington, a town with a population of 200k yet the nearest charger to me is 2 miles away and it's a lamppost where anyone can park. Unless you have a driveway they're a complete nonsense starter.
 
Im genuinely thinking of treating myself to an I4 (I know... BMW wanker) the 2/3 year old ones are an absolute steal, saw one Yesterday with 6k on it at £26k and it was a beautiful bit of kit, couldn't justify the road tax at £620 on a newer one, plus the huge depreciation.

I was offered a company car but if its my own can claim 45p a mile for the first 10k rather than the nominal rate of 7p

Charging at home for 7p a kwh it should virtually pay for its self over 3 years and then its a bloody cheap car to run if its still ok!
 
Churchlawtonblue said:
I realise my next car is likely to be a hybrid or possibly an ev, so I have been looking into this a bit, as the range does concern me. True I don't drive long distance as much as I used to these days but the sinple fact is I dont want to stop every 200 miles or so for 45mins. My current car easily does 600miles on tank.


pod-point.com

Top 10 Electric Cars with the Longest Range in 2025 | Pod

A guide exploring which electric car has the best range in the UK and comparing the ten longest range electric vehicles (EVs) currently available.
pod-point.com pod-point.com

Evs dont do anywhere near 500miles according to the article above and that's before taking off about 50% for real world conditions and the recommended charging requirements.

I know a sales company based in Stoke that has just changed their Teslas back to ICE cars as they couldn't drive them to west London and back on a single charge, that's only 340miles.

What is clear is the exaggeration of range by ev vehicles makers and the effect of not charging your car "correctly " can have on your ev range and its battery degradation.

Isnt it true that if you own an ev you should avoid fully charging or depleting the battery, since keeping the charge between 50% and 80% helps preserve battery health. This means your effective range before charging is actually only about half what is stated? I have read that in several places.

Extreme heat or cold can reduce battery lifespan.

Too much fast charging: Frequent use of fast chargers can degrade the battery faster than slower, regular charging , isn't this true?
Click to expand...
Had mine 5 years and still getting same milage as when I first had it, due a new one December and will def not go back to ICE car, for me electric works perfectly. You do realise the stated mpg on ICE cars is also given in perfect conditions etc
 
kinkyblue said:
Had mine 5 years and still getting same milage as when I first had it, due a new one December and will def not go back to ICE car, for me electric works perfectly. You do realise the stated mpg on ICE cars is also given in perfect conditions etc
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Good to hear, but do you leave it until nearly empty before recharging?
 
Churchlawtonblue said:
Good to hear, but do you leave it until nearly empty before recharging?
Click to expand...
not often, charging now with 60 miles left, I have a charger at work so charge up whilst in office and very rarely I charge at home. In the 5 years I think I have charged 20 times on the public net and then its usually close to 0
 
Churchlawtonblue said:
I realise my next car is likely to be a hybrid or possibly an ev, so I have been looking into this a bit, as the range does concern me. True I don't drive long distance as much as I used to these days but the sinple fact is I dont want to stop every 200 miles or so for 45mins. My current car easily does 600miles on tank.


pod-point.com

Top 10 Electric Cars with the Longest Range in 2025 | Pod

A guide exploring which electric car has the best range in the UK and comparing the ten longest range electric vehicles (EVs) currently available.
pod-point.com pod-point.com

Evs dont do anywhere near 500miles according to the article above and that's before taking off about 50% for real world conditions and the recommended charging requirements.

I know a sales company based in Stoke that has just changed their Teslas back to ICE cars as they couldn't drive them to west London and back on a single charge, that's only 340miles.

What is clear is the exaggeration of range by ev vehicles makers and the effect of not charging your car "correctly " can have on your ev range and its battery degradation.

Isnt it true that if you own an ev you should avoid fully charging or depleting the battery, since keeping the charge between 50% and 80% helps preserve battery health. This means your effective range before charging is actually only about half what is stated? I have read that in several places.

Extreme heat or cold can reduce battery lifespan.

Too much fast charging: Frequent use of fast chargers can degrade the battery faster than slower, regular charging , isn't this true?
Click to expand...
I think plug-in Hybrid might be your best option. Especially if there isn't an ICE option in your household.
There is still plenty of years (ten?) left before we are EV only. I'm not sure why some are getting so upset about it.
So when you only do short trips, you can take advantage of cheap overnight electric rates. Longer trips revert to petrol.

By the time EV's are the only option, we should be so far along that nobody cares. And even then, nothing is stopping you keeping an ICE car. I think infrastructure (petrol stations/parts) will be the limiting factors.

Most of the stuff mooted battery wise are "best case". Real world can be vastly different. That's why we need more than we need etc. The fastest charging times are with technology that we don't even have over here yet.
Some batteries aren't affected by cold (sodium?), some can charge to 100% all the time without bother. Therefore hybrid battery tech is being trialled. Best of both worlds etc.

My EV does 280 bookwise. Yet that can drop to 200 in winter with short commuting and the heater/seats/steering wheel full blast. Yet two weeks ago in the hot weather (with aircon) on a long run i got 300 miles on a full charge.
So the stuff i post is just saying better things are coming. Real world i would guess we are at 350 miles.

I've been here so many times before. First it was when i changed to digital cameras/projectors.
I was on a few forums, and was ridiculed for daring to say they had many advantages. The film/CRT guys took great delight in pointing out the flaws and bigging up analogue. It's what they knew, it was what they trusted.
Yet one by one they all converted. Leaving only the true diehards wittering to themselves how we were all idiots.

I get change is hard for some. I get that new isn't always better, at least at first. Film/CRT projectors had many advantages, but digital eventually won out. Same with flat screen TV's. No CRT TV was going to offer 4K and 120hz with perfect geometry and sharpness. I even had some loons saying those huge blurry rear projection TVs had a better picture than Pioneer plasma's FFS!
 
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tweety said:
Chargers are everywhere you say. I live in Warrington, a town with a population of 200k yet the nearest charger to me is 2 miles away and it's a lamppost where anyone can park. Unless you have a driveway they're a complete nonsense starter.
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Compared to just a few ago, they are. But there are gaps. The weird thing is, petrol stations have been shutting down for years. Depending on where you live, you can have a real drive just to find one. There are now more EV chargers than petrol stations. Yet nobody here has pointed it out.

Anybody can make an EV work. It just takes adjustments to what you are used to.
Personally, i wouldn't have an EV yet if i couldn't charge at home. I seriously considered a plug in hybrid for a long while. It would have worked great for the missus. She would have been commuting mainly on battery power. I realised that i would be paying for two systems to maintain/service. Also two systems to go wrong.
We made the right choice with the right car for us. Your circumstances may be different.

"There are 8380 petrol stations"
"As of June 2025, the UK has over 82,000 electric vehicle charging points across 40,479 locations"
These include various charging speeds, from slow to ultra-rapid, and are located at diverse locations like motorway service stations, retail parks, and supermarkets.
 
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SiMCFC said:
Im genuinely thinking of treating myself to an I4 (I know... BMW wanker) the 2/3 year old ones are an absolute steal, saw one Yesterday with 6k on it at £26k and it was a beautiful bit of kit, couldn't justify the road tax at £620 on a newer one, plus the huge depreciation.

I was offered a company car but if its my own can claim 45p a mile for the first 10k rather than the nominal rate of 7p

Charging at home for 7p a kwh it should virtually pay for its self over 3 years and then its a bloody cheap car to run if its still ok!
Click to expand...

I’ve got one, absolutely love it. Mine is salary sacrifice rather than purchasing though.
 
meltonblue said:
I’ve got one, absolutely love it. Mine is salary sacrifice rather than purchasing though.
Click to expand...

They look and drive fantastic! Do you know if your battery has degraded much in the time you've had it? My main concern buying used is that it may have been charged 0% to 100% and caused battery wear but it's only the same as buying a petrol/diesel that someone has caned up and down the motorway!

Do you do business mileage? Our salary sacrifice scheme (via Novuna) is a lease scheme and unfortunately classes the vehicle as a company car so you can then only claim the lower rate for mileage... I think that is right anyway.
 
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