Not wanting to cause panic, but if anyone owns a modern Zoe, I’d be somewhat concerned by the below:

 

https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/renault/zoe/44206

Almost all my driving has been in vehicles with no Euro-NCAP stars or not very many and that includes the ones i have been in crashes in so what difference will it make if i drive yet another one.

 

The deal breaker for me is if the cars heating can not work while the car is on a charger. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 5 February, 20224 yr by roottoot

5 hours ago, cheezemonkhai said:

Not wanting to cause panic, but if anyone owns a modern Zoe, I’d be somewhat concerned by the below:

 

https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/renault/zoe/44206

 

The most it shows is just how ridiculous the EuroNCAP system has become,  The same shell was 5 star EuroNCAP 8 years ago and a apart from a questionable change to the head/thorax airbags system the Zoe ZE50, and the model most people buy ie the GT Line rather than the base model PLAY which they tested the model most people have, which they did not test, has Auto Emergency Braking and Lan Departure and my model even gets Blind Spot detection.

 

I have written to Renault as I would like them to upgrade the head airbag to at least as good as the ZE22/ZE40 was.

Renault have replied and said that the 3,000 serious accidents involving Zoes, of the 300,000 on the road, they could not find one where the old airbag would have made a substantial difference to the current one but the video is interesting in that the airbag seems slow to expand to the area where a short person sitting close to the steering wheel that there head may hit the side window being pushed inwards by the intruding pole of the pole test.  Personally I sit as far as the seat will go back with my head inline with the B pillar and so does the other person who uses the car but one click less than fully back.  So I wish they had tested the GT Line rather than the PLAY and that EURONCAP reported more about shell strength on real accidents that their test which does not seem to match real world accidents.  The Zoe is a ten year old design due for replacement and I plan to move to a Megane which EURONCAP do not seem to have tested in 7 years, they seem to be a long way behind the curve in testing current cars.

 

My Clio, Fabia and Zoe are all pretty much of a muchness I would reckon in a similar accident, maybe the Fabia and Zoe with auto emergency braking would have an advantage but one of my daughter rates the Clio after being hit by a 32 tonne truck on the M1 and surviving.

 

I use to pay quite a bit of attention to EuroNCAP but no more when their rating depends so much on idiot proof gadgets rather the shell strength and airbag protection but I do hope Renault will come out with a safety recall on the head/thorax airbag to improve it to atleast as good as it was.  Perhaps airbags should be mandatory replaced every si many years to make sure all the subsystems ie trigger, charge, bag integrity and all those sub components of the air bag system are working 100% or even better than new several years after the car was biult.  Probably end up with a Japanese type system when cars over 7 years old cannot get an MOT and therefore be used on UK roads.  

 

I hear what you’re saying but if the side airbags change it from a 5 start to a zero, they shouldn’t be optional in any spec. Pity the poor person that sees a car as 5 star but because they’re not flush enough to get above the basic model end up in a much less safe car.

 

At least this way the car is at least this good in any spec (bad for Renault). I imagine they’ll decide fit them across the board to get a decent rating again.

 

Don’t forget ncap updated the tests a few years back, so an old 5 might only be a 4 or 3 now.

 

I do totally agree with you on the “driver doesn’t have to pay attention” gadgets mind. That’s just silly.

 

On the up side, I for one am glad to see you have the airbags. 👍
 

What is said about most of our lives in less safe cars is true, but they shouldn’t be missing out key safety features which have this effect to make a cheaper trim level.

Edited 5 February, 20224 yr by cheezemonkhai

3 hours ago, cheezemonkhai said:

ncap updated the tests a few years back, so an old 5 might only be a 4 or 3 now.

This is my other issue with EUrokneecap; every time they change their standard, they downgrade everything that's already been tested by 1 star.

5 hours ago, cheezemonkhai said:

I hear what you’re saying but if the side airbags change it from a 5 start to a zero, they shouldn’t be optional in any spec. Pity the poor person that sees a car as 5 star but because they’re not flush enough to get above the basic model end up in a much less safe car.

At least this way the car is at least this good in any spec (bad for Renault). I imagine they’ll decide fit them across the board to get a decent rating again.

Don’t forget ncap updated the tests a few years back, so an old 5 might only be a 4 or 3 now.

I do totally agree with you on the “driver doesn’t have to pay attention” gadgets mind. That’s just silly.

On the up side, I for one am glad to see you have the airbags. 👍

What is said about most of our lives in less safe cars is true, but they shouldn’t be missing out key safety features which have this effect to make a cheaper trim level.

 

It was not just the thorax/head air bag was poor but under the 2021 EURONCAP they take in to account lots of other things, like whether there is a positive system to reduce injuries for pedestrians but also that EURONCAP bought the most basic model which did not have many of the measures that add stars rather than a mid range or upper range model which does have the safety extras and would have got a better score. 

 

Renault answered the zero euroncap rating within a week of when te details came out a couple of months ago.......

https://www.world-today-news.com/renault-is-already-responding-to-the-zoe-debacle-in-euro-ncap-tests-worse-airbags-have-a-reason/ 

12 hours ago, roottoot said:

Almost all my driving has been in vehicles with no Euro-NCAP stars or not very many and that includes the ones i have been in crashes in so what difference will it make if i drive yet another one.

The deal breaker for me is if the cars heating can not work while the car is on a charger. 

 

One can fire up the pre-conditioning program but not if the car has less than 40% charge in the battery, whether it is on charge or not and do that from inside the car or via the phone app.

 

Not tried it but I presume the USB ports work when one is sitting in the car even if it shuts off every few minutes.  I thought I was going to get heated seats as standard in the Riviera version put did not so bought one that works via the 100w cigarette lighter and I still have another 4 other USB ports for other devices.

 

I tend to carry other batteries ie 30000 mW power bank, a NOCO ICE battery starter and I will probably buy another seat back and bottom warmer for the other front seat and something for the back seats.

 

We have not had a very cold winter this year in the Midlands, usually is a sting in the tail in mid February when we most commonly get some snow.

I rarely go below 40% battery as use that hundred miles of range between 40 and 90% ie not below when one can use pre-condition or above that where the strong brake regen recoup works and one can get the 4 mile plus per kWh which seems to get messed up if I charge to 100% and therefore do not get significant regen and my miles per kWh stays in the 3 miles per KWh or only crawls up to 4 when I get down to 75% battery or less and regen starts to become 10, 20% or even 30% of the total energy used figure.

 

If I did park up with less than 40%, say 30%, then I would have to wait about 12 or 13 minutes until it reached 40% as the car should charge at 45 kWh between 30% and 40% ie 5.2 kWh which should take about 8 minutes to happen so a quick run in for a wee wee and a coffee and if one had to go back to the car one could if one kicks in preconditioning when it hits the magic 40%.

 

I think 30% or even 25% would have been would fine to allow the conditioning to start rather than 40%.

It is the 12v battery that worries me quite a lot.   

 

I am sitting charging and it is below freezing.  It is wonderful when getting to the car when it is iced up to get in and just de-ice without a heated screen by just turning the heater to MAX. I could have remotely turned it on but never bothered.  This morning the heated steering wheel decided to stay on before moving off.   Now the heater is set above 28°C and the windows a little open and I am as snug as a bug in a rug.  Phone and chrome book are charging while I sit here.     These are the functions that are important to me.       Saying that a very moody looking grey with black wheels ID. 4 PRO is sitting charging and it is the nicest one I have seen. I would happily drive away in it. 

 

Edit. Black wheel trims on steel wheels.   Possible ditch finder tyres though.

 

You really do not want one on these Elephants T-Boning you as it overshoots a junction on inappropriate tyres for roads not gritted / salted in winter conditions.

 

 

 

 

Edited 6 February, 20224 yr by roottoot

49 minutes ago, roottoot said:

heated steering wheel

 

Never have I been so jealous in all my life.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Hypothermic Hands

11 hours ago, lol-lol said:

 

It was not just the thorax/head air bag was poor but under the 2021 EURONCAP they take in to account lots of other things, like whether there is a positive system to reduce injuries for pedestrians but also that EURONCAP bought the most basic model which did not have many of the measures that add stars rather than a mid range or upper range model which does have the safety extras and would have got a better score. 

 

Renault answered the zero euroncap rating within a week of when te details came out a couple of months ago.......

https://www.world-today-news.com/renault-is-already-responding-to-the-zoe-debacle-in-euro-ncap-tests-worse-airbags-have-a-reason/ 

 

Did they not test two versions, one with and one without the extra kit? I'm pretty sure they did with the Suzuki Swift as it has two ratings, with and without. Having said that they still missed a load of kit mine has... 

Edited 6 February, 20224 yr by skomaz

On 06/02/2022 at 10:18, skomaz said:

 

Did they not test two versions, one with and one without the extra kit? I'm pretty sure they did with the Suzuki Swift as it has two ratings, with and without. Having said that they still missed a load of kit mine has... 

 

Apologies for later reply.  As far as I can see they just bought the Play base model which sounds daft as, certainly in the UK, buyers were cajoled and convinced to go for the higher spec models with DC charging but also a host of additional safety features, Emergency Auto Braking being the main one, but lane departure and blind spot alert being other ones.

 

The PCP payments were working out the same as the higher spec models, DC charging etc, were reckoned to be worth so much more at the end of the PCP the monthly payments were the same so one got a much better car for same money.  On Autotrader the Play model is about 1% of what is on resell. 

 

Maybe a mode European mainland focused test if they bought a much more higher percentage of the Play spec rather than GT etc.

Well my first venture of over 120 miles (ie half my warm weather range, WLTP, of 240 miles that the Zoe Ze50 (52 kWh useable battery).

 

So left home after brim charge, which is actually about 102 % charge, as it continue to charge past the 100% being shown for about another half hour or so on my little 3.6 kWh home charger and does not drop to 99% until about 10 miles are driven.

 

Did the 120 miles from Worcester to Heathrow and still has 140 miles shown on the range which lined up with the 5 miles per kWh also shown on the instruments.  Mostly with the ECO button depressed and therefore low 60s or high 50s shown on the speedo. 

 

Charged for 5.5 hours on the currently free chargers at my Heathrow office.  Did get my ears burnt that lecky for businesses had gone up massively, might be as high as about 40p kWh I gather.

 

Zoe was showing 92% full and 218 miles range and I set off to Gatwick where I am working tomorrow.  Again ECO button down and with the 44 miles to Gatwick the SOC went down to 74% but the range is still showing 197 miles which works out as theoretical range of around 266 miles.  I have the chance of a charge at the clients but not sure I need it.

 

Direct journey back to Worcester is about 160 miles from here so should be able to do it in one hop without stopping to charge but it is suppose to be a bit cooler tomorrow and a strongish SW wind which is not a good combo.  Wish the Gatwick Gridserve station was open but it is not due to open for a few more weeks yet.   All going very well so far with over 6K miles on the clock and only about £100 spent on buying lecky power in that time.  Not bad when hydro-carbon fuel is hitting £8 a gallon I gather. 

 

Very pleased with the little Zoe.

 

 

 

 

Edited 7 June, 20223 yr by lol-lol

The workplace needs to get battery storage for EV charging.  There will be grant aid, tax allowances etc to install the  chargers and system coming  from the generosity of tax payers that are buying their own electricity, gas, petrol, diesel etc. 

16 hours ago, roottoot said:

The workplace needs to get battery storage for EV charging.  There will be grant aid, tax allowances etc to install the  chargers and system coming  from the generosity of tax payers that are buying their own electricity, gas, petrol, diesel etc. 

 

The rise in prices of electricity to commercial sites will weigh heavily on one side but so is this corporate badge of honour to be greener which includes helping staff and visitors use EVs but I think this clearly is only open to a certain strata of staff at a certain level within companies ie middle management and above so I do worry about a them and us dividing factor.  From what I have seen I would recommend both second hand ZE40s and the MGs which are not silly money for total cost of ownership on a year by year basis.

 

There is a petition running to increase the HM Treasury claim rate to 60p a mile, which is more like what an average car costs to run overall these days....

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/600966

 

 

 

 

Cost of purchase / lease and running very much depends on what is being driven.

 

The cost of fuel for just a single workers miles in a vehicle has been generous for a long time for some.

Even at £100 to fill a tank of 'An average family car' as is spoken about that should get that car that 1 person is trucking about in 450 - 500 miles if they have given thought to driving an economic car.

 

As to an EV, if it gets 3 miles to a kWh and the electric is 50 pence a kWh then that is £83 for 500 miles. 

40 pence a kWh is £66 for that 500 miles.

4 miles per kWh @ 40 pence a kWh for 500 miles £50. 

6 hours ago, roottoot said:

Cost of purchase / lease and running very much depends on what is being driven.

 

The cost of fuel for just a single workers miles in a vehicle has been generous for a long time for some.

Even at £100 to fill a tank of 'An average family car' as is spoken about that should get that car that 1 person is trucking about in 450 - 500 miles if they have given thought to driving an economic car.

 

As to an EV, if it gets 3 miles to a kWh and the electric is 50 pence a kWh then that is £83 for 500 miles. 

40 pence a kWh is £66 for that 500 miles.

4 miles per kWh @ 40 pence a kWh for 500 miles £50. 

 

Yes but mileage claim is supposed to cover wear and tear, costs of insurance, servicing as a true cost per mile, not a cost of just fuel per mile.

 

TBH, I would suggest that the 4-5p per mile needs to become 10p before taxable (for electric) and the 45p needs to become 55-60 before being taxable.

These amounts are not what you have to get paid, they are the amounts the company can pay you before it's taxable and where you can claim the tax difference to if paid less.

It is indeed supposed to cover that. 

 

For those running a petrol or diesel there is nobody saying come around the back and get a free tank full, it is nice though where someone provides a plug in for the EV driver and says there you go and charge up free gratis. 

2 hours ago, cheezemonkhai said:

 

Yes but mileage claim is supposed to cover wear and tear, costs of insurance, servicing as a true cost per mile, not a cost of just fuel per mile.

 

TBH, I would suggest that the 4-5p per mile needs to become 10p before taxable (for electric) and the 45p needs to become 55-60 before being taxable.

These amounts are not what you have to get paid, they are the amounts the company can pay you before it's taxable and where you can claim the tax difference to if paid less.

 

As I understood it the money paid for the first 10k miles contains both running cost and an element for depreciation and the mileage rate over 10k was really for just running costs with little, to no, element for depreciation loss so basically £2k a year for making a car available to the employer and then the 25p for total running costs ie fuel, tyres, servicing and adding business insurance clause to ones insurance.

 

Clearly the 45p a mile is now totally out of whack.

 

In all my looking at HMRC mileage rules I have not seen anywhere it state that you should use the Google maps or a route-planner calculate mileage software tool to come up with the amount of mileage claim, or use your cars odometer which could be up to 10% incorrect of course.

 

Always make sure one also adds in those on route diversions for natural breaks so that the mileage claimed can be a few more miles than the Google or Routeplanner shows.

 

Get no mileage paid to me so I can claim the full difference between 45p per mile and nothing as tax relief which is a tidy some.

 

Zoe was fantastic coming back from Gatwick Worcester, starting with 266 miles range indicated and arriving home with about 90 miles showing and 5 miles per kWh still indicated. Marvellous.