What seems to be missed or not mentioned is that if you can not afford a new EV you can not afford a new car anyway.  Or might not even need a new car.  The used EV,s are going to be plentiful and if you do not want one or can not afford one or it does not suit you then just do not get one.      As to the 10 out of 11 new EV,s going to whoever the vloggers often seem to not be aware of id how many a month Motability are buying to lease and these are not for business users.  Also how many from these Motability have bought are going back into the car trade.   They might well depreciated quite a lot, but Motability never paid anything like the RRP for them.    Cheap EV,s for those that are looking for them.   Dealers that buy them are expecting the usual or higher than usual mark up.    Maybe time these vehicles where available as Clearance Stock to the general public from the Charity.   The used car trade has done well for decades from Ex Motability cars.  

Edited 6 August, 20241 yr by Ootohere

Another point to remember is that for many people (and probably a lot of people on these forums) owning a car and the act of driving one is about more than just economics, or outright speed.  I see a lot of posts banging on about electricity being cheaper than petrol or diesel and electric cars being cheaper to run (although the initial outlay is often higher) and also about how fast they are 0-60 and the like.

 

But honestly those two factors really don't bother me too much.  yes I'm in the fortunate position of not having to worry too much about running costs (I do but not to the same extent as others) so it's lower down my priority, as is the ability to do 0-6 0 in 3 or 4 seconds (who cares about that - the novelty will soon wear off and it's not like we have roads that are so clear we can do it all the time, regardless of the legality in some areas).

 

What I enjoy is the act of driving, even in traffic and congestion - the act of steering and the hand / leg / ear / eye coordination needed to change gear in a manual car smoothly etc. is what appeals and what I enjoy and EV's don;t seem to offer that experience.

 

Maybe it's juts me - I see the appeal to some but I'm not yet there - maybe when I'm old and decrepit I'll appreciate the qualities of an EV...

Lots of people want personal transport in the form of a car for Domestic, Leisure or Pleasure, and maybe commuting.

Just safe reliable and affordable, or to their budget.

 

They could not care less about the noise from a Motorsport Track carrying around the area, or cars with a nice exhaust sound, or a horrible one, or the ones with the noise and no go so the racket hangs about and the cars have not even got faster than 20 or 30 mph. 

 

As for Ultimate Driving Machines and spirited / sporting driving, many just want these types not up their jacksy trying to be in front at every opportunity, or where there is not an opportunity to pass safely and others have to brake to let them in. 

 

Driving experiences really are often for those living in a parallel universe on UK roads.

Maybe go buy a karting session every now and again.  Or go to a carnival and get on a dodgem. 

my biggest blocker on the pre loved marketplace is that there are no EVs (yet) in the <=£10k area with a boot capacity (or shape) of the Superb Estate plus the interior room with a minimum 300 mile range.

In fairness some of the Tesla S (boot capacity with seats up +700 litres plus the Frunk although its not quite the same "square" shape)  are starting to approach that £10k threshold, just not there yet 





https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?battery-range=OVER_300&bootSizeValues=Large&fuel-type=Electric&postcode=bl35rd&sort=price-asc



Hell I doubt there's even much on the new market that matches those last criteria given how few manufacturers are making estate EVs, probably the nearest thing that would be suitable is the Audi A6 Avant e-tron

 

 

Edited 6 August, 20241 yr by Winston_Woof

Early days.

No need to get one yet is there?  Or ever!

Used prices will continue to drop as many will not be touching them with someones else barge pole. 

 

Lower miles 3,s & S,s will be available cheaper as private sales if dealers are not wanting to take them in.

Plenty going to be available in the next year or 3.

Personally i would not want to be having one. 

Edited 6 August, 20241 yr by Ootohere

realistically I'm probably not looking at swapping the Superb out for another 2-3 years (only bought her at the start of this year, wonder what the used EV market will be like then?

That said EV isn't top of my priority list but I wouldn't discount one (especially given I'm privileged enough to be able to charge at home for a good amount of my motoring.)

5 hours ago, skomaz said:

What I enjoy is the act of driving, even in traffic and congestion - the act of steering and the hand / leg / ear / eye coordination needed to change gear in a manual car smoothly etc. is what appeals

Likewise, which is probably why a slushbox, PDK or CVT doesn't appeal any more than a Scalextric car.

Wow, when is super cheap even cheaper, carwow.....

 

3 hours ago, Winston_Woof said:

realistically I'm probably not looking at swapping the Superb out for another 2-3 years (only bought her at the start of this year, wonder what the used EV market will be like then?

That said EV isn't top of my priority list but I wouldn't discount one (especially given I'm privileged enough to be able to charge at home for a good amount of my motoring.)

 

Running cost ie fuel and servicing not worth the savings EV provide ?

 

Sister just buying a T-ROC with the 1.5 EVO cylinder deactivation tech, think she should get 50 or so to the gallon, probably 55 mpg in the morning coming down off Dartmoor and 445 mpg going back on to the more in the evening.  Servicing. think she has found a local guy who appears good who is half main dealer prices ie closer to what EV drivers pay for services.    

45 minutes ago, lol-lol said:

 

Running cost ie fuel and servicing not worth the savings EV provide ?

 

Sister just buying a T-ROC with the 1.5 EVO cylinder deactivation tech, think she should get 50 or so to the gallon, probably 55 mpg in the morning coming down off Dartmoor and 445 mpg going back on to the more in the evening.  Servicing. think she has found a local guy who appears good who is half main dealer prices ie closer to what EV drivers pay for services.    

running costs (other than insurance &  to a lesser degree VED costs) are not a primary driver in my choice of vehicle. Neither is the ability to flaunt some green credentials.

Looks, space & day to day useable practicality are my primary options followed probably by fuel consumption (on which note the Superb 1.4TSi (also with cylinder deactivation) suits me nicely, IIRC my average since purchasing in Feb has been around 43mpg). 

As for servicing I'll be using a local garage rather than main dealer who both my partner & I have used for a number of years rather than main stealer.

57 minutes ago, Paws4Thot said:

Likewise, which is probably why a slushbox, PDK or CVT doesn't appeal any more than a Scalextric car.

 

Yep - I've driven a lot of automatics over the years (my parents have had 4 or 5) and again I can see how they appeal from a lazy / relaxing point of view (we tried a DSG in a Kodiaq and for some of the driving it did seem to suit that car) but overall they are not really for me and one pedal driving seems even less appealing

1 hour ago, lol-lol said:

Wow, when is super cheap even cheaper, carwow.....

 

Hmmm, not keen on the red/black contrast - maybe it'll look better in another colour way.

Transport. New and low cost to procure and run. 

All that is needed for many Civil Servants. Council Employees, NHS workers, Carers, Meter Readers, or anyone that needs to travel within towns or cities with vehicles that are part of a fleet and kept at works car parks. 

Basic Transport for the basic travel needs. 

16 minutes ago, skomaz said:

 

Yep - I've driven a lot of automatics over the years (my parents have had 4 or 5) and again I can see how they appeal from a lazy / relaxing point of view (we tried a DSG in a Kodiaq and for some of the driving it did seem to suit that car) but overall they are not really for me and one pedal driving seems even less appealing

I've had a few automatics/DSGs and I have to say I prefer them, especially with 2ndhand cars as they are don't tend to get ragged about unlike manuals. 

25 minutes ago, skomaz said:

 

Yep - I've driven a lot of automatics over the years (my parents have had 4 or 5) and again I can see how they appeal from a lazy / relaxing point of view (we tried a DSG in a Kodiaq and for some of the driving it did seem to suit that car) but overall they are not really for me and one pedal driving seems even less appealing

 

One of the strong reasons for autos is the acceleration compared to manual.  Several factors ie gear change time, weight, number of gears to optimise acceleration but in the majority of comparisons I have seen the auto, or semi auto like DSG, EDC, eats the manual for breakfast.

 

 

There are some lovely automatics about.

8 speed auto or manual change, 6 speed in sport and manual change. BMW etc.

 

Some lovely 2 pedal EV,s.  Paddles for Regen so just as with an auto and reducing speed and not braking but getting on in control.

As to one pedal driving, that does not mean just driving easy in town, but it can be, but it can be driving in a spirited manner. 

 

It is all about choices and not all EV,s are the same obviously but they are pretty much 2 pedal cars. 

Maybe not for New Drivers passing their driving test in them having a Restricted Automatic Only licence.   PS Edit.   Lots of dreamers around that think they are driving gods in the UK with a 60 mph NSL just because they need the left foot to use a clutch when changing gear. 

Edited 6 August, 20241 yr by Ootohere

I used to prefer manual, the driving engagement and feel of totally in control of the machine. But then I started encountering more and more traffic jams, constant gear changes becomes tiring rather than rewarding. The final straw was when I moved to Greater London.

 

I've owned all types of autos, Merc slushbox, VAG DSG, Fiat automated manual and rented BMW ZF autos. Apart from the automated manual, all are very nice for lazy driving when in traffic. But none of them have same driving engagement, when pushed in back roads, always feels like in the wrong year.

 

I personally think EV gives back the driving engagement feel, direct control of machine. It is always in the right gear, it is responsive when needed but also can handle traffic jam without feeling like done a leg day at the gym only on my left leg.

12 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

Transport. New and low cost to procure and run. 

All that is needed for many Civil Servants. Council Employees, NHS workers, Carers, Meter Readers, or anyone that needs to travel within towns or cities with vehicles that are part of a fleet and kept at works car parks. 

Basic Transport for the basic travel needs. 

 

France has been doing subsidies for low earners to their credit but the scheme was oversubscribed and quickly exhausted.

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2023/07/13/an-electric-car-for-100-a-month-the-government-is-still-trying-to-make-it-work_6051261_19.html

Not sure the name translates ie Zity.  

It is needed for those doing community nursing, mid wives etc where 45p a mile for the first 10k miles just does not cut it any more.

 

23 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Hmmm, not keen on the red/black contrast - maybe it'll look better in another colour way.

anything other than the base polar white is a £650 option ;o) 

 

 

Stonewash Blue

 

 

Lightening Grey



Baby Poo Brown Safari Beige

 

 

Khaki

2 minutes ago, lol-lol said:

 

 

Not sure the name translates ie Zity.  

 

 

 

I suspect it's a play on City (& yes I'm aware the French for City is Ville but.....)

1 minute ago, Winston_Woof said:

anything other than the base polar white is a £650 option ;o) 

 

 

Stonewash Blue

 

 

Lightening Grey



Baby Poo Brown Safari Beige

 

 

Khaki

Actually quite like the Polar white look.

Driving a manual in London jams is horrendous starting and stopping all the time causes the clutch plates to get very hot and distorted leading to jerky progess in deed and by the end of day working in those conditions did my left knee in. Automatics are king in traffic. 

 

5 minutes ago, Graham Butcher said:

Driving a manual in London jams is horrendous starting and stopping all the time causes the clutch plates to get very hot and distorted leading to jerky progess in deed and by the end of day working in those conditions did my left knee in. Automatics are king in traffic. 

especially when you have the sort of excellent Active Cruise Control the Superb (and other Skodas) has

10 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Actually quite like the Polar white look.

does seem to be the best option and if you want a different colour (say zingy orange or lime green or black) then £650 is a chunk towards a wrap (which will also protect the paint work)