EV general discussion

Looking for some EV advice! We're likely changing this year, just in the process of getting solar panels fitted and have decided that it's probably time we changed our car over.

We have an XC40 currently ('68 plate) that I do really like - although fuel efficiency has never been it's strongest point... Outside of one 250 mile trip every 6 weeks or so to see my family in the Cotswolds 99% of our trips are in a 30-40 mile radius. Nursery/school drop off, food shops, visits to places/friends who live locally. The furthest we probably go on a regular basis is Guildford or Southampton and even then, those aren't really big trips!

We tend to buy used cars outright, the XC40 was 2 years old when we bought it and was quite a nice spec and what we needed at the time (new baby etc.) but as our daughter has got older we don't need the larger boot for a pram/travel cot/all the usual things that need to be transported.

I was looking at the EX30 but they don't seem to be very well reviewed (and a few things that would be inconvenient like no 'dash' in front of you) - and whilst I like Volvo I'm fine with looking elsewhere. We drove a Model 3 for a bit, I liked it but my wife didn't like how 'low' she felt comparatively to the XC40 so I think we're probably still keen on the 'small' SUV/crossover style - just maybe not as 'big' as an XC40 (which I know isn't a big car in the grand scheme of things).

Has anyone got any recommendations? The Kia EV3 and the Skoda Elroq have both been mentioned and I saw the Toyota C-HR+ the other day which looked quite nice, obviously going to test drive any before buying but just looking for any sort of advice really around EVs.
 
t2na said:
Looking for some EV advice! We're likely changing this year, just in the process of getting solar panels fitted and have decided that it's probably time we changed our car over.

We have an XC40 currently ('68 plate) that I do really like - although fuel efficiency has never been it's strongest point... Outside of one 250 mile trip every 6 weeks or so to see my family in the Cotswolds 99% of our trips are in a 30-40 mile radius. Nursery/school drop off, food shops, visits to places/friends who live locally. The furthest we probably go on a regular basis is Guildford or Southampton and even then, those aren't really big trips!

We tend to buy used cars outright, the XC40 was 2 years old when we bought it and was quite a nice spec and what we needed at the time (new baby etc.) but as our daughter has got older we don't need the larger boot for a pram/travel cot/all the usual things that need to be transported.

I was looking at the EX30 but they don't seem to be very well reviewed (and a few things that would be inconvenient like no 'dash' in front of you) - and whilst I like Volvo I'm fine with looking elsewhere. We drove a Model 3 for a bit, I liked it but my wife didn't like how 'low' she felt comparatively to the XC40 so I think we're probably still keen on the 'small' SUV/crossover style - just maybe not as 'big' as an XC40 (which I know isn't a big car in the grand scheme of things).

Has anyone got any recommendations? The Kia EV3 and the Skoda Elroq have both been mentioned and I saw the Toyota C-HR+ the other day which looked quite nice, obviously going to test drive any before buying but just looking for any sort of advice really around EVs.
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Honestly, tech is fairly mature and you'll get similar in all of those. Pick the car you like best not the minor technology differences. Check the Renault Scenic EV maybe. I'd steer clear of anything Stellantis (Fiat, Vauxhall, Peugeot) but that's my personal experience of them only
 
t2na said:
We drove a Model 3 for a bit, I liked it but my wife didn't like how 'low' she felt comparatively to the XC40 so I think we're probably still keen on the 'small' SUV/crossover style - just maybe not as 'big' as an XC40 (which I know isn't a big car in the grand scheme of things).
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Model Y, polestar 2 (get the facelifted version, not the OG), polestar 3, EX 40 (same size as the XC 40)
 
chanjy said:
Honestly, tech is fairly mature and you'll get similar in all of those. Pick the car you like best not the minor technology differences. Check the Renault Scenic EV maybe. I'd steer clear of anything Stellantis (Fiat, Vauxhall, Peugeot) but that's my personal experience of them only
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Thank you, appreciate that.

Yeah, my wife works with Stellantis so is fairly passionate about avoiding them where possible.
 
tamzzy said:
Model Y, polestar 2 (get the facelifted version, not the OG), polestar 3, EX 40 (same size as the XC 40)
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Model Y and Polestar 3 both look a little on the large size and probably out of the budget - but the EX40 is actually something I hadn't even considered (which is odd considering we've got the XC40 currently...). Thank you.

My mind is currently wanting to try the EX40, Renault Scenic EV and the Toyota C-HR+ to get a feel for each.
 
If a Polestar 2 is a consideration, there's loads of Pre-Reg March/April/May cars with 10-50 miles on Polestar Pre-Owned

Example at Polestar Southampton - https://www.polestar.com/uk/preowned-cars/product/polestar-2/48e8ae65-e96b-43fb-9af7-3ffceb600cf6/

£31,290 (Other Polestar dealers have similar slightly cheaper if you want travel/haggle)
Long Range Single Motor - 295BHP, 409mi WLTP
Pilot Pack - Pilot assist, 360 cam, park assist, blind spot, dimming mirrors etc.
Plus Pack - Pano roof, HK stereo, fully elec seats, power boot, ambient etc.
Climate Pack - heat pump, heated rear seats, heated wheel etc.

The packs are slightly different now on new orders but I think that would have been about £45k MSRP, so around £30k is a pretty good saving if you're happy with pre-reg.
 
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Out of those i do like the EX40, possibly try the BMW iX1 but a lot of people don't like the minimalist cab.
 
chanjy said:
Honestly, tech is fairly mature and you'll get similar in all of those. Pick the car you like best not the minor technology differences. Check the Renault Scenic EV maybe. I'd steer clear of anything Stellantis (Fiat, Vauxhall, Peugeot) but that's my personal experience of them only
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I'll second that. Stay well away from Stellantis imo.
 
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t2na said:
Model Y and Polestar 3 both look a little on the large size and probably out of the budget - but the EX40 is actually something I hadn't even considered (which is odd considering we've got the XC40 currently...). Thank you.

My mind is currently wanting to try the EX40, Renault Scenic EV and the Toyota C-HR+ to get a feel for each.
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Can't imagine a Model Y being out of budget if you have the EX30/40 on your list.

What is your budget?
 
Journey said:
Can't imagine a Model Y being out of budget if you have the EX30/40 on your list.

What is your budget?
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Probably 30k, 35 at a push. Realistically we can get 13-15k for the XC40 - and Volvo will probably give us more for the part exchange.
 
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