Electric cars

[Berti No Show]

I’m not sure I'd get an electric car either, and a lot of it comes down to the practical cost and the way they're sold. All for supporting climate change, but when China and USA are "drill baby drill", (China alone contributing to 30% of global emissions) whilst we are only contributing to 1% of global emissions it defeats the object of buying one.

First is the price of the cars themselves. Most EVs are still priced well above what feels like reasonable value for an everyday car. Even fairly normal models can easily push £35k–£50k. When you compare that to a decent petrol or hybrid you can buy outright for £10k–£20k, it's a huge jump. For a lot of people that price difference just doesn't make sense, especially when the technology is still evolving and depreciation can be brutal.

Then there's the charging issue. If you've got a driveway and a home charger it's manageable, but a lot of people don't. That means relying on public chargers, which can mean queuing at service stations or supermarkets, especially on busy days. It kind of defeats the convenience you expect from a car. With petrol or diesel you pull in, fill up in 5 minutes, and you're on your way.

The cost of charging away from home is another thing people don't talk about enough. Public rapid chargers can be expensive, sometimes getting close to petrol costs per mile. So the idea that EVs are always massively cheaper to run doesn't always hold up unless you're mostly charging at home overnight on a cheap tariff. Gary Neville had very interesting views on his EV on one of his podcasts.

Another thing is the ownership mindset. A lot of people, especially if they've always bought cars outright throughout their life (like I have), see a car as something you own 100%. You buy it, it's yours, and once it’s paid for that's it - you're only paying the insurance, road tax yearly. No monthly commitments hanging over you. With EVs, the way they're priced often pushes people into leasing, PCP, or monthly finance. It starts to feel less like owning a car and more like paying for a phone contract every month without actually owning the car. Some people just don't like that idea at all.

There's also the battery longevity question. Batteries do degrade over time, and replacing one can be extremely expensive. Even though manufacturers give long warranties, the idea of owning a car long-term where the most expensive component is slowly losing capacity puts some buyers off.

And finally, the technology is still changing quickly. Range, charging speeds, and battery tech are improving every few years. That means a car you buy today could feel outdated pretty quickly, which can hammer resale values.

All depends on what you want from a car. I understand the concept, but unless prices become reasonable I'll stick to my petrol hybrid which is excellent on running costs and reliability.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Probably never happen but this would be a game changer

 

[Blue Since 76]

I’m not sure I'd get an electric car either, and a lot of it comes down to the practical cost and the way they're sold. All for supporting climate change, but when China and USA are "drill baby drill", (China alone contributing to 30% of global emissions) whilst we are only contributing to 1% of global emissions it defeats the object of buying one.

First is the price of the cars themselves. Most EVs are still priced well above what feels like reasonable value for an everyday car. Even fairly normal models can easily push £35k–£50k. When you compare that to a decent petrol or hybrid you can buy outright for £10k–£20k, it's a huge jump. For a lot of people that price difference just doesn't make sense, especially when the technology is still evolving and depreciation can be brutal.

Then there's the charging issue. If you've got a driveway and a home charger it's manageable, but a lot of people don't. That means relying on public chargers, which can mean queuing at service stations or supermarkets, especially on busy days. It kind of defeats the convenience you expect from a car. With petrol or diesel you pull in, fill up in 5 minutes, and you're on your way.

The cost of charging away from home is another thing people don't talk about enough. Public rapid chargers can be expensive, sometimes getting close to petrol costs per mile. So the idea that EVs are always massively cheaper to run doesn't always hold up unless you're mostly charging at home overnight on a cheap tariff. Gary Neville had very interesting views on his EV on one of his podcasts.

Another thing is the ownership mindset. A lot of people, especially if they've always bought cars outright throughout their life (like I have), see a car as something you own 100%. You buy it, it's yours, and once it’s paid for that's it - you're only paying the insurance, road tax yearly. No monthly commitments hanging over you. With EVs, the way they're priced often pushes people into leasing, PCP, or monthly finance. It starts to feel less like owning a car and more like paying for a phone contract every month without actually owning the car. Some people just don't like that idea at all.

There's also the battery longevity question. Batteries do degrade over time, and replacing one can be extremely expensive. Even though manufacturers give long warranties, the idea of owning a car long-term where the most expensive component is slowly losing capacity puts some buyers off.

And finally, the technology is still changing quickly. Range, charging speeds, and battery tech are improving every few years. That means a car you buy today could feel outdated pretty quickly, which can hammer resale values.

All depends on what you want from a car. I understand the concept, but unless prices become reasonable I'll stick to my petrol hybrid which is excellent on running costs and reliability.

I'd stay off the Daily Mail and Facebook for your EV info.

Presume your £35-50k EV models are brand new (and there's lots much cheaper than that already), so what's the £10k new petrol?

Bought a 4yr old EV 18 months ago for about £14k, which was a similar price to ICE cars of a similar size, age and spec. It's now done almost 60,000 miles and the battery range is still the same as the day it was new.

If you don't have somewhere to charge at home, an EV makes no economic sense due to public charging costs. I've not seen anyone ever argue the opposite. If you can charge at home, unless you're away from home most of the week driving, they work, even for long trips. We regularly do Manchester to Newcastle in a day, about 300 miles which requires some public charging at the services (where petrol is also really expensive). Even on those trips, the cost is about the same as in an equivalent sized petrol/diesel, possibly slightly less. The rest of the time, doing shorter journeys and able to charge whenever needed during the week, it's a lot cheaper and the gap is about to widen as the cost of a barrel of oil continues to rise.

As long as I can charge from home, I couldn't imagine going back to an ICE car, unless I won the lottery and wanted something for the weekend. If I was to move into somewhere I couldn't charge, I probably would go back to ICE although wouldn't want to and would consider the alternatives ways to charge hard before making the decision.

As for Gary Neville and a podcast, I'd rather rip my ears off and eat them raw. Did he discuss EVs when he was talking about the mini retirements he takes each weekend?

 

[jrb]

EVED.

It hasn’t put me off buying n electric car, but it’s adding to the number crunching.

The Goverment want you to submit your annual milage for the year and pay upfront. You will get back money if you are under that submitted annual mileage.



PDF.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696f6515f6aa424b452e335a/eVED_consultation_.pdf

Website.

Consultation on the Introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED)

A consultation setting out further detail on how eVED will work.

www.gov.uk

 

[Centurions]

I'd stay off the Daily Mail and Facebook for your EV info.

Presume your £35-50k EV models are brand new (and there's lots much cheaper than that already), so what's the £10k new petrol?

Bought a 4yr old EV 18 months ago for about £14k, which was a similar price to ICE cars of a similar size, age and spec. It's now done almost 60,000 miles and the battery range is still the same as the day it was new.

If you don't have somewhere to charge at home, an EV makes no economic sense due to public charging costs. I've not seen anyone ever argue the opposite. If you can charge at home, unless you're away from home most of the week driving, they work, even for long trips. We regularly do Manchester to Newcastle in a day, about 300 miles which requires some public charging at the services (where petrol is also really expensive). Even on those trips, the cost is about the same as in an equivalent sized petrol/diesel, possibly slightly less. The rest of the time, doing shorter journeys and able to charge whenever needed during the week, it's a lot cheaper and the gap is about to widen as the cost of a barrel of oil continues to rise.

As long as I can charge from home, I couldn't imagine going back to an ICE car, unless I won the lottery and wanted something for the weekend. If I was to move into somewhere I couldn't charge, I probably would go back to ICE although wouldn't want to and would consider the alternatives ways to charge hard before making the decision.

As for Gary Neville and a podcast, I'd rather rip my ears off and eat them raw. Did he discuss EVs when he was talking about the mini retirements he takes each weekend?

That's some nonsense in the post you're replying to.

That said, I've just come back from a hospital visit with the wife and there was a Polestar (from £45,000), a Lotus Eletre (from £85,000 but gorgeous) AND a Mercedes G Class electric (from around £145,000 and up). There was a Byd Dolphin as well but that's a wee bit cheaper.

 

[Gremlin]

That's some nonsense in the post you're replying to.

That said, I've just come back from a hospital visit with the wife and there was a Polestar (from £45,000), a Lotus Eletre (from £85,000 but gorgeous) AND a Mercedes G Class electric (from around £145,000 and up). There was a Byd Dolphin as well but that's a wee bit cheaper.

By 'wee bit cheaper' read around £18k - about the same price as a Hyundai i10 petrol which is a similar size.

 

[Blue Since 76]

That's some nonsense in the post you're replying to.

That said, I've just come back from a hospital visit with the wife and there was a Polestar (from £45,000), a Lotus Eletre (from £85,000 but gorgeous) AND a Mercedes G Class electric (from around £145,000 and up). There was a Byd Dolphin as well but that's a wee bit cheaper.

I suspect a G Wagon petrol is a similar price, although haven't checked since admitting that my career as a footballer is probably not going to happen!

There are definitely still expensive electric cars, just as with petrol (how much is a decent spec 3 series these days?) but there are starting to be 'cheaper' EVs now as well and not just the Chinese stuff, but things like the Panda and Renault 5.

Does anyone even buy a brand new car anymore, as I thought they were all leased/PCP, in which case the monthly payments are more relevant than list price.

You'd have to tear my EV from my warm, dead fingers (heated steering wheel)

 

[jrb]

I suspect a G Wagon petrol is a similar price, although haven't checked since admitting that my career as a footballer is probably not going to happen!

There are definitely still expensive electric cars, just as with petrol (how much is a decent spec 3 series these days?) but there are starting to be 'cheaper' EVs now as well and not just the Chinese stuff, but things like the Panda and Renault 5.

Does anyone even buy a brand new car anymore, as I thought they were all leased/PCP, in which case the monthly payments are more relevant than list price.

You'd have to tear my EV from my warm, dead fingers (heated steering wheel)

I might buy one new car model this year, either the EV2 or the ID Polo. The EV2, out in April, will be priced around 25K, and the ID Polo, out in September(?), will be priced at £22K. If not, I will buy a used Hyundai 5. I want the 2025 upgraded model with the back window windscreen wiper. That isn’t the only upgrade. :-) I’ll have to wait a bit longer for the used 2025 model to come down in price.

 

[Centurions]

I might buy one new car model this year, either the EV2 or the ID Polo. The EV2, out in April, will be priced around 25K, and the ID Polo, out in September(?), will be priced at £22K. If not, I will buy a used Hyundai 5. I want the 2025 upgraded model with the back window windscreen wiper. That isn’t the only upgrade. :-) I’ll have to wait a bit longer for the used 2025 model to come down in price.

I didn't know the EV2 and ID. Polo prices were out, the EV2 may be a bit of a stretch for us which is a shame as I really like the look of that, the Polo is interesting at that price though. I love the look of the new Twingo but it's not out until next year sadly although the price may be worth waiting for.

 

[Blue Maverick]

EVED.

It hasn’t put me off buying n electric car, but it’s adding to the number crunching.

The Goverment want you to submit your annual milage for the year and pay upfront. You will get back money if you are under that submitted annual mileage.

View attachment 185934

PDF.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696f6515f6aa424b452e335a/eVED_consultation_.pdf

Website.

Consultation on the Introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED)

A consultation setting out further detail on how eVED will work.

www.gov.uk

Going down this route road tax should be abolished, so those who do more mileage pay more.

 

[Centurions]

Going down this route road tax should be abolished, so those who do more mileage pay more.

Yeah, and that's never happening.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Yeah, and that's never happening.

I know pal

 

[jrb]

I didn't know the EV2 and ID. Polo prices were out, the EV2 may be a bit of a stretch for us which is a shame as I really like the look of that, the Polo is interesting at that price though. I love the look of the new Twingo but it's not out until next year sadly although the price may be worth waiting for.

I like both of them, but for £22K and after watching the positive reviews of the ID Polo, I’m very tempted by it. I will test drive the EV2 in April when it’s in the showrooms.

Book a test drive.

What a great looking car. Obviously a personal opinion.

Kia First Drive Weekends | Kia UK

Book your place at the Kia First Drive Weekends and be one of the first to experience the new EV2 with a guided one-hour test drive.

www.kia.com

Kia EV2 Makes Debut at Brussels Motor Show 2026 | Kia UK

Kia unveils the new EV2 at the Brussels Motor Show 2026, the most compact electric SUV in our EV range designed for city driving.

www.kia.com

 

[fulabeer]

 

[Centurions]

The Kia EV2 has launched in Germany with a starting price of €26,600 (£23,000) for the smaller 42.2kWh battery, the larger 61.0kWh battery one starts at €28,990 (£25,100). Keen prices.

 

[Centurions]

BTW, it looks like a Kia EV1 may be out next year alongside the Renault Twingo and the VW ID.Lupo.

The A segment will be interesting with these 3 added to the likes of the Hyundai Inster and others at the sub(?) £20,000 prices being talked about for the Kia and Renault at least.

 

[jrb]

The Kia EV2 has launched in Germany with a starting price of €26,600 (£23,000) for the smaller 42.2kWh battery, the larger 61.0kWh battery one starts at €28,990 (£25,100). Keen prices.

The new ID. Polo out later this year is rumoured to be starting at £22K for the base model.

Hiding the design.







The ID. Polo GTI is due out in the future.

ID. Polo | Volkswagen UK

The ID. 2all show car becomes the ID. Polo, launches 2026. Familiar names mean better orientation for customers. More models to follow. Learn more.

www.volkswagen.co.uk

 

[jrb]

The Kia EV2 has launched in Germany with a starting price of €26,600 (£23,000) for the smaller 42.2kWh battery, the larger 61.0kWh battery one starts at €28,990 (£25,100). Keen prices.

Test drives can be booked at Kia main dealers in April.

 

[bluetonium]

Took delivery of my new EV last week, so far very impressed and it seems that there has been much effort to make the interior as plush as possible to attract drivers to the technology.

One question I do have though, are people really paying £0.61 to £0.91 per kWh to charge quickly when out on the road? If so, it's going to cost me much more per mile easily. Whilst I'll obviously be charging at home as much as possible, if I ever need to do more that 250 miles I likely will have to charge on the go, and it seems extortionate!

Just been looking at UK holiday cottages for the summer, and they've cottoned on as well. If you want a place with a charger facility then it's an extra £500 or so for those properties! Hot tub surcharge territory this!

 

[cyan]

One question I do have though, are people really paying £0.61 to £0.91 per kWh to charge quickly when out on the road? If so, it's going to cost me much more per mile easily. Whilst I'll obviously be charging at home as much as possible, if I ever need to do more that 250 miles I likely will have to charge on the go, and it seems extortionate!

Just been looking at UK holiday cottages for the summer, and they've cottoned on as well. If you want a place with a charger facility then it's an extra £500 or so for those properties! Hot tub surcharge territory this!

Yes it is - and the market isn't as competitive as it should be. With only BE.EV competitive on my normal routes - another joy of going to Manchester! You have to charge at home at the beginning and end of long journeys - but once you get used to the car you will find the ways to save/reclaim power - most of us have learnt to drive slower.

Finding Holiday cottages that will allow you to charge at them is difficult - insurance companies don't like it. I tend to work it out by having some accessible public charging nearby - but work that into the cost of the holiday.

If you can charge at home on a good EV or night rate - then in the long run it will be cheaper - but away from home most of us have to change habits and think differently about where we stop and how we drive.