ᐅ BEV – Battery Electric Vehicle Experiences and Recommendations
Created on: 23 Jan 2025 15:14
T
Tolentino
Dear forum members,
I know this is a homebuilding forum, but relevant car forums tend to be either very brand-loyal or strongly critical of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Since I assume there is a significant overlap between homeowners and BEV owners, I’m posting my question here. I chose this subforum because it seemed somewhat related—discussing household technology felt off topic.
I’ll soon be returning my ZOE and am currently exploring options for a replacement. It should again be a small to compact car, with 80-90% urban driving and average daily distances of about 25 km (15.5 miles). Occasionally, I drive 40-50 km (25-31 miles) in the city (about once a month) and very rarely 180 km (112 miles) on highways and country roads.
Absolute exclusions:
Tesla, for ethical reasons
Vehicles with a new price over 50,000 EUR (approx. $53,000), because the financing rate would be too high
Less preferred:
VW Group cars
Obvious SUVs
Another ZOE
Models I am interested in:
Renault 5 (possibly too new and expensive)
Hyundai Kona Electric (this is my upper limit for SUV styling)
MG4
Opel Corsa-e (though it didn’t perform well in ADAC tests)
Mainly looking for personal experience reports.
So, please share your thoughts—thanks in advance!
I know this is a homebuilding forum, but relevant car forums tend to be either very brand-loyal or strongly critical of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Since I assume there is a significant overlap between homeowners and BEV owners, I’m posting my question here. I chose this subforum because it seemed somewhat related—discussing household technology felt off topic.
I’ll soon be returning my ZOE and am currently exploring options for a replacement. It should again be a small to compact car, with 80-90% urban driving and average daily distances of about 25 km (15.5 miles). Occasionally, I drive 40-50 km (25-31 miles) in the city (about once a month) and very rarely 180 km (112 miles) on highways and country roads.
Absolute exclusions:
Tesla, for ethical reasons
Vehicles with a new price over 50,000 EUR (approx. $53,000), because the financing rate would be too high
Less preferred:
VW Group cars
Obvious SUVs
Another ZOE
Models I am interested in:
Renault 5 (possibly too new and expensive)
Hyundai Kona Electric (this is my upper limit for SUV styling)
MG4
Opel Corsa-e (though it didn’t perform well in ADAC tests)
Mainly looking for personal experience reports.
So, please share your thoughts—thanks in advance!
N
nordanney27 Jan 2025 15:40Musketier schrieb:
Is leasing really worth it for less than 3 years? After a year, you’re already looking for a car and test driving again. I would never lease an electric car for more than 2-3 years. Since the technology is advancing so quickly (and the car is relatively affordable), you basically get a new car every two years. Considering this, the choice between a slightly lower monthly payment and having a new car regularly clearly favors shorter contracts.
I don’t keep searching for a new car every time; I just look at the price. Electric cars are all fairly comparable.
W
wiltshire27 Jan 2025 16:13The topic of cars can be viewed in many different ways. For me, it’s more of a gut feeling, and the gut then explains to the head why the decision was "good."
@Tolentino has very clear ideas about what he wants – a small electric vehicle with a discreet appearance (not flashy) that he can drive with minimal risk and predictable monthly fixed costs for the foreseeable future. Since linking offers is not possible here, I can only mention a potential model and its associated lease rate.
The Hyundai Ioniq and the Jeep Avenger came to mind – both available for under €180 (about $195) per month with no down payment, based on 5,000 km (3,100 miles) per month.
@Tolentino has very clear ideas about what he wants – a small electric vehicle with a discreet appearance (not flashy) that he can drive with minimal risk and predictable monthly fixed costs for the foreseeable future. Since linking offers is not possible here, I can only mention a potential model and its associated lease rate.
The Hyundai Ioniq and the Jeep Avenger came to mind – both available for under €180 (about $195) per month with no down payment, based on 5,000 km (3,100 miles) per month.
W
wiltshire27 Jan 2025 16:35Tolentino schrieb:
Honestly, if I were a car, I’d probably be an Inster. 😀That’s funny. If I were a car, I’d be a heavy vehicle with a gentle character, not sporty but with strong torque, very suitable for long distances but with a small luggage compartment.