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Blimey!
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/apr/17/renault-repair-zoe-heater-car#comment-167258640
More fool the owner for not getting it sorted under warranty, but still!
The journo is saying buyer beware of 5yr old Zoe's, though acutely aware that two anecdotes do not make a trend. Any Zoe owners on here know any better?
Zoé owner, my second, still not five years old though. I have it dealer serviced which is cheap and because in France at least the cost of repairs tends to be negotiable depending on the age and mileage of the car if it's been dealer serviced throughout. Just mention you've got legal cover on the insurance policy and they'll come up with a sensible split of costs rather than fight an expensive legal battle they stand to lose.
stingmered
Blimey!https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/apr/17/renault-repair-zoe-heater-car#comment-167258640
More fool the owner for not getting it sorted under warranty, but still!
The journo is saying buyer beware of 5yr old Zoe’s, though acutely aware that two anecdotes do not make a trend. Any Zoe owners on here know any better?
That is pretty poor by Renault, in what happened with the failure of their dealer to initially diagnose the fault due to 'lack of the correct software' (assuming the writer is truthful), then not knowing/being arsed to supply a list of which of their dealers had the correct battery hoist, and then their subsequent response to the article.
Would be interesting to see the breakdown of that £9K quote as well.
The general sentiment seems to be that Zoes are not particularly reliable cars.
General rule of thumb is don't pay more for a French car than what you happen to have in your pocket
We have been looking at used electric cars. We have narrowed it down to 2 near us, one is 4 years old Pug 2008 with 68000 miles on the clock, the other is a 3 years old Corsa, with 19000 on the clock.
Will do about 12000 a year.
Both are identical in terms of battery and drive, the Corsa costs a bit more at £13000, Vs the 2008 at just sub £12000. The 2008 is a bit bigger and nicer inside.
Should the 50k extra miles put us off?
What’s the battery warranty on both cars?
Both to 8 years.
EDIT: Or 100000 miles. That might be the clincher...
I’d take the Vauxhall - longer warranty, battery has had less charge cycles going through it. Hopefully less chance of degradation.
I recently bought an EV with 73k on it, because I have confidence that they will last a long time. However, that's a big difference in miles for only a grand. But I would factor in how much I like either car.
One reason I like Hyundai
Impressive amount of kit and engineering on what is seen as a low end EV.
It's an acceptable word for an American to use.
We took the plunge and bought a 3yo Peugeot e-2008 with 20000 miles on it. Now the charger install shenannigans can begin...
I'm looking forward to a trip out in the Corsa e tomorrow. Shame it won't go dark so the matrix headlights won't get ignited 😭😉
Getting quotes for a home charger install, apparently the Tesla wall box needs it's own chunky consumer unit and it's a bit tight in our downstairs loo. Other units have been recommended as they need less space for connecting.
I've done a bit of googling and see that Tesla's will charge from non Tesla installs with an adapter, but there may be issues with charge rates.
One of the big factors in the Tesla decision was the simplicity and ease of use, I'd prefer not to faff with multiple apps.. Mrs Davy90 is apple and I'm android which has also caused issues in the past.
Waiting for a response from the installer, in the interim, any real world experience out there?
Which Tesla have you got davy90?
I'm pretty certain you've misunderstood about needing an adapter with a 3rd party home charger. Why would they install a new home charger with the wrong connector, requiring you to use an adapter?
Model Y RWD, turns up next month..
Ok. Model Y does not require any adapters for home chargers or public chargers, whether Tesla or other.
>> Why would they install a new home charger with the wrong connector, requiring you to use an adapter?
It’s not that. The Tesla wall connector doesn’t have PEN fault protection, so requires an additional device to cut the power if there’s a fault on the supply combined earth and neutral (worst case is that the metal body of the car becomes energised at 230v relative to ground).
They’re a bit of a bodge in how they work, to be honest, but are needed to satisfy the law. Other chargers like the Zappi etc have the protection built in.
Some installers will fit the mini consumer unit inside the meter box, but Fusebox make a very discreet IP65 unit in dark grey which I’d happily have on the wall. Personal preference would be to have the car supplied directly from the main supply via Henley blocks instead of going via the house consumer unit.
Ah ok, not something I'm familiar with, I've just always assumed that all home chargers either Tesla or others came with built in PEN protection (ie zappi, ohme etc) or had to have an earthing rod installed like my old Rolec.
I've probably misunderstood the adapter thing. I have our incoming mains internally in the kitchen wall build up (former garage conversion in a 1960s end of terrace) it comes into the meter on the other side of the wall in the cloakroom/loo and then into the consumer unit, all at high level.
Watching YouTube vids at the moment, looks like I'll need the additional box. Installer has come back suggesting the gen 3 Tesla box should fit (has offered the Ohme Home Pro as an option) but looks like we're all good. Thanks.
Yesterday we took advantage of cheap EV motoring and went on a day out to West Wales. 205 miles, 5.1 miles/kWh on the way out on windy A/B roads, dropped to 4.9 on the way back which was 2/3s motorway. Few charging points in West Wales and none at the destination, but Carmarthen seems to have more rapid chargers per population than anywhere else. I was pleased to note 8 chargers near the McDs and Starbucks but it turns out these are just plonked into the middle of a very small garden centre car park with too-small oddly shaped parking spaces spray painted on the floor. Apparently resented by some regular customers as there were two ICEs parked there as well. There's also a 6 charger hub just down the road at Crosshands by another Starbucks. So if you're heading over there charge up on the way out and the way back, you'll have plenty of juice to get to the seaside and back.
We put in I think 7kWh which was plenty to get home, took about 14 minutes or something. Cost nothing as I discovered we had £20 of Electroverse credit somehow.
There were also three in Llandeilo which would have been lovely, I like the idea of stopping in small towns and having a wander whilst you charge, but we weren't low enough by that point.
Question for those on Octopus Go or Intelligent.
When you go onto the tariff, is that for 12 months fixed or is it until the next rate changes? If it's fixed for 12 months and the rate goes down (like I think it has just recently), can you phone up/email and ask to be moved onto the new better rate, or would you have to sit it out or change to a completely different tariff to get off it i.e Agile?
Intelligent Octopus Go is a variable rate. The peak charge reduced recently from just over 30p to 26.78p.
Good economy there Molly...
I'm still dreaming of hitting 3m/kWh!
DrP
Intelligent Octopus Go is a variable rate. The peak charge reduced recently from just over 30p to 26.78p.
Ok thanks andylc
Kia EV6.
South Wales to Heathrow and back last weekend (250 miles) on a single charge. Got home with 3% left.
77.9kWh recharge at home costing £5.99 on Intelligent Octopus Go.
That’s 3.2m/kWh. Not bad considering it was all motorway driving at 60 - 70 mph.
Just to share today's experience, in case it's interesting or helpful. I noticed red lights flashing on my Ohme, and an Error message. The unit said it was online and my app said the same thing. I plugged in the car but it was not recognised. I did the only 2 things I know to do - rebooted the charger and cycled the power. No change.
I called Ohme, 30 mins on hold before I spoke to someone who told me that my charger had been throwing a lot of overvoltage errors, and that the unit will not work if the voltage is above 253. He advised me to get my DNO to check it.
I called Northern Powergrid and explained the problem. TWO HOURS LATER an engineer showed up at my house, which I was really impressed by. He measured the voltage - 254. He also told me that the tolerance for the type of rural supply we have is less restrictive than usual, and that they keep it below 260. That seems weird to me. Surely there should be a universal standard, and manufacturers should adhere to that standard. Anyway, he did some fiddling at the substation and the voltage came down by 1v which was enough to get my Ohme to work. His explanation was that with the better weather, demand has fallen and solar supply has increased and the voltage has crept up. Not sure I believe that, but hey ho. He also said that the voltage should be lower at night (no solar), which is obviously when I charge.
Fingers crossed it keeps working.
Weird.
My Ohme story is less dramatic. Ohme hasn't been able to contact the car because Hyundai's API has been ropey, but it seems to be much better now and it's been working properly for a couple of weeks.
My ohme seems to go offline every few weeks, itll still charge the car when in this state, but it won't talk to octopus, so all charging is at the higher rate unless it happens to be in the 11.30 to 5.30 period.
Turning the ohme circuit breaker off and on (ie forcing a hard reboot) fixes it.
Anyway, getting very good efficiency in this warm weather, saw 4.9miles per kwh on one journey today, which is basically unheard of with this car(merc eqc) so far, not saying this is normal for the car, but it can be efficient when conditions allow. Seems to be averaging around 3.1 mpkwh in this temperature which is pretty much bang on wltp
The ohme pro charger that charges the corsa e recently decided to default to just charging anything at anytime. It happened around the bst clock change. Was unable to control the charger via the app. Cost a few quid prior to rebooting the charger which seemed to solve the problems and the link with Octopus.
I’ve seen a couple of Ioniq 6’s in the last few days. If you’re after a car that says ‘I’ve got money but no style’ then this is your car…
We had issues with our charger - Sync EV not OHME. It would shut down and restart. Spoke to the Sync EV helpdesk who checked it remotely and said it was voltage going out of range. They increased the tolerance as much as was safe which reduced the frequency of the issue but did not solve completely. Then Northern Power did some work at one of the local substations and a load of re-cabling and that seems to have sorted the issues
We are not rural but right on the fringes so maybe it is a thing
I’m looking forward to a trip out in the Corsa e tomorrow. Shame it won’t go dark so the matrix headlights won’t get ignited
I used to drive lots of Corsas as part of my logistics job with BCA, (British Car Auctions), and I really liked them, just a very pleasant little car to drive, but what really impressed me was that they all came with a heated screen, the only Vauxhall that did. Then GM sold Vauxhall, and the heated screen got binned and replaced with the LED lights - nice, but I’d rather have the heated screen on frosty winter mornings!
The other thing they lacked, was a rear parking sensor, something I’d become very accustomed to, and was a particularly irritating omission on the ones we had in to fit out for school of motoring use. 🤷🏼
Most of the others like Seat, Peugeot, etc had cameras as well. No idea what the Corsa e has fitted.
Just seen this; Musk, bless his withered little soul, has just sacked the entire Supercharger team!
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a60650866/tesla-layoffs-electric-charging-team/
Somewhere, I feel, there’s an oubliette with his name above it… 🤯
Can I ask some advice on electric cars please, these will be very basic questions and at the start of looking around a lease car on salary sacrifice - England based and this will be NHS/public sector lease.
Looking at best option and running practicability.
I travel 70 miles round trip to work daily .. motorway and a road... In office 3 to 5 days per week depending on meeting schedule.
I require a comfortable car which will transport dog and grand children. I have never had a SUV but looking at lease offers they seem to dominate the market. Current car A6 allroad estate, which is being passed on to daughter as her car is not viable much longer.
Priorities
Range....as much as possible
Fast charge battery
Decent drive.
Comfort
Space but not too much.
Anyone own any of these and prepared to offer a view.
BMW iX3
Mercedes EQB or even EQC
Other options?
Others like Kia ev6 which was a choice but the seat headrest is fixed and due to my neck issues is a non starter. VW and Audi platforms seem underwhelming and not the same quality as my current Audi, also looking for something with as few touch screens as possible
Charging...,we will be moving this year possibly Dec to a house with a drive, till then I am in a terrace.
Will I get by
With granny charging from a three pin at home plus top up at chargers in car park. Not most cost effective.
Can I join octopus or intelligent charging provider using a three pin option. Does it need a charge port?
I assume when I move house I will be able to move account and fit a ohme pod charger at new house?
Range anxiety....is it a real issue. Usual trip to lake district is 160 mile round trip so do able on a single charge? Big trip per annum to Somerset to see family.
Salary sacrifice...anything consider? Pension affected? 58 and planning to retire around early 60's.
Anything else I really need to know or think on before committing?
Cheers
Anyone own any of these and prepared to offer a view.
We bought a used eqc in November, I like it, but compared to more modern cars it's range is not the best, it'll still do 180-200 miles on the motorway though, but there are other cars with better range for similar money when you're looking at brand new.
For charging - My view is that you need to be able to charge at home on an ev tarrif, or at work for free/cheap the majority of the time, otherwise the hassle and cost of public charging eliminates a lot of the benefits of an ev.
With your daily mileage and the kinds of cars you listed, using purely a granny charger at home is not going to cut it, you'll need to be charging at work or get a proper charger installed(which may not be possible in a terraced house)
Range anxiety not an issue for me, but ymmv.
Musk, bless his withered little soul, has just sacked the entire Supercharger team!
Not before he ruined it by making nearly the entire network available to non-Tesla owners (I think another 40 sites just became a free-for-all).
The sacking is a Musk problem but there's a fundamental issue that US law ("land of the free", my arse) allows someone to just kick 500 people out of a business without following any protocol whatsoever.
Not before he ruined it by making nearly the entire network available to non-Tesla owners (I think another 40 sites just became a free-for-all).
In the UK I thought it was mandated by the govt that they had to start opening up the superchargers to none tesla.
Maybe mandated is the wrong word, but encouraged...
andylcFree Member
I’ve seen a couple of Ioniq 6’s in the last few days. If you’re after a car that says ‘I’ve got money but no style’ then this is your car…
I saw one in the flesh also, it is bafflingly ugly. I'm not sure it even scream money, as it's a Hyundai. Just bad bad taste.
Strange, they did something very interesting and different with the 5, but then this?
Most of the others like Seat, Peugeot, etc had cameras as well. No idea what the Corsa e has fitted.
The top spec Corsa e has a reasonable amount of tech fitted as standard. The rear camera and blind spot detection are useful. The remote cabin heating probably does away with the need for a heated screen.
@DrJ I'm also having problems with our charger regularly tripping out but SP Energy have washed their hands of it after a few attempts to dial down the voltage at the sub-station. The problem we have is the voltage is measured by a separate matt:e box which goes off with a big clunk when the voltage starts to go up beyond 252, and as we sleep above the garage it wakes you up then usually trips agin every few minutes until I get out of bed and switch the bloody thing off.
So we're now looking to swap out the matt:e for something similar that doesn't make a noise, any suggestions folks? I've looked at earthing rods but will struggle to get a location away from the utilities coming into the house.
Range anxiety….is it a real issue. Usual trip to lake district is 160 mile round trip so do able on a single charge?
No, not really. When your battery is low, you stop and recharge just like you fill up with petrol. People seem to be very afraid of this, but it's really straightforward especially on motorways.
In any case, 160 miles is easily achievable in most modern EVs. If you are a worrier you can stick it on for 10 mins whilst you get your coffee/have a pee at any point in the journey. You don't have to run it down to empty.
However it is expensive - public rapid charging is about the same price as running a comparable petrol or diesel. You can get public slower charging which is about half the price usually, but it is a lot more faff than having a home charger.
You can get by with a 3-pin charger, and you can still get the cheap overnight tarrif using this. An efficient car is about 4 miles per kWh or more, an inefficient one is about 3. So your commute will use between 17kwh and 23kWh per day. You can charge at 2.6kW with a granny charger, and there will be maybe 10% losses at worst. So it'll take 7-10 hours to recharge your commute using a granny charger. On an overnight cheap tariff you'll get about what, 5hrs at 9p or something like that and the rest at 25p? So very roughly 3-6p a mile for fuel, something like that. Around a third of what you probably pay now.
I am a big fan of Hyundai's EV tech, it's top level engineering at normal prices. The new Kona is really good, and the Ioniq 5s and 6s I really like. Their infotainment stuff is a bit annoying but apparently nowhere near as bad as most others, and their driver assistance stuff is good. They also seem to be a lot more consistent in terms of range in summer vs winter than some others. You tend to get heat pumps as standard, which is important IMO.