[Dusty1]

Hi everyone,

I have been considering switching to an ev for a few months but with recent changes to grants and increased electricity prices I am not so sure there is the same cost saving to be had.

I do around 20k miles a year with most of that being work trips from Glasgow to Yorkshire/ Lancashire twice a month. I reckon approx 30% charging would need to be public rapids while away with the rest home charging. I know with a bit of planning I can pick hotels with chargers to help reduce the reliance on rapids but using the 30% as a worse case.

I was looking at the e niro long range before the grant changes have it out of my budget. Now thinking of the new zs EV long range but am not sure if I am getting any benefit to my existing Kia Ceed if electric prices go up significantly. Am currently paying 17p/KW but that deal finishes and in a couple of months just in time for whatever the new call is 😡.

Any advice from experienced EV drivers would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[hunnymonster]

Work out your cost per mile in your ICE car.

1kWh of electricity will definitely get you 3 miles in all but the most inefficient of EVs (with the most leaden of feet)

When I worked it out (for me) the breakeven point (where electricity costs more per mile than petrol) was electricity @ 49p/kWh (that was petrol @ 138)

If your ICE mpg is low the breakeven point will be much higher.

 

[proddick]

Have you driven an EV yet? Generally once someone drives one they understand why 95% of people who get one don't go back to ICE. Fuel savings, which should still be possible despite rising electric costs, aren't the only reason to drive one IMO.

Once your fix ends, you could get low cost overnight charging with Octopus Go. That would reduce the 70% of your "fuel" costs substantially and compensate for higher rates for the 30% public charging.

 

[donald]

Hi everyone,

I have been considering switching to an ev for a few months but with recent changes to grants and increased electricity prices I am not so sure there is the same cost saving to be had.

I do around 20k miles a year with most of that being work trips from Glasgow to Yorkshire/ Lancashire twice a month. I reckon approx 30% charging would need to be public rapids while away with the rest home charging. I know with a bit of planning I can pick hotels with chargers to help reduce the reliance on rapids but using the 30% as a worse case.

I was looking at the e niro long range before the grant changes have it out of my budget. Now thinking of the new zs EV long range but am not sure if I am getting any benefit to my existing Kia Ceed if electric prices go up significantly. Am currently paying 17p/KW but that deal finishes and in a couple of months just in time for whatever the new call is 😡.

Any advice from experienced EV drivers would be helpful.

Thanks

Forget about the running costs, compared to depreciation and other stuff, whether one is a bit cheaper than the other is not actually a big deal, unless you are doing more than 20k miles a year.

(I mean, obviously you'll need to compare with an efficient modern car, not some 20mpg banger.)

Really, it will boil down to whether you like the car, and are prepared to stump up the purchase overhead for 'that'. Many of us have done exactly that in favour of a BEV. Try a few, see what you think. There are some sh!t BEVs out there, and there are some super ones, just like any other sort of car.

10k miles a year is going to be £1,000 running costs plus or minus 3~4 £hundred, whatever you choose. If a few £00 is enough to make you change your mind on a >£30k car, then something's gone wrong in your thinking.

20 k a year, hmmm .. you should see some gains going BEV but not going to change your life. What car is it, anything you don't like about it?

Try a few. Pick the one you like, or stick with what you have if it doesn't blow you away like a new car should. Forget what it is powered by.

 

[dk6780]

Have you driven an EV yet? Generally once someone drives one they understand why 95% of people who get one don't go back to ICE. Fuel savings, which should still be possible despite rising electric costs, aren't the only reason to drive one IMO.

BEV shouldn't be about saving money, but about reducing your carbon footprint. I've no idea whether your mileage is truly necessary, but it represents a significant amount of emissions. Do your bit by reducing your emissions, be it driving less, driving more economically, and/or driving a BEV.
Oh, and they are generally very enjoyable to drive particularly long distances once you have worked out your charging options.

 

[Cheshirecat]

Welcome to the forum….and ditto what @dk6780 said

 

[cah197]

BEV shouldn't be about saving money, but about reducing your carbon footprint. I've no idea whether your mileage is truly necessary, but it represents a significant amount of emissions. Do your bit by reducing your emissions, be it driving less, driving more economically, and/or driving a BEV.
Oh, and they are generally very enjoyable to drive particularly long distances once you have worked out your charging options.

I think we all have slightly different reasons for going BEV.

But I agree the motivation should not be about saving money, that’s merely an associated benefit.

Especially now when you consider depreciation is very low for EVs.

 

[Bydandie]

BEV shouldn't be about saving money, but about reducing your carbon footprint.

That’s a very binary statement, it can be both or either - but it’s really odd to tell someone why they should be buying an EV, does it matter as long as they buy one?

To the OP, you’ll still save money compared to an ICE even with the current standard variable prices - and second hand prices are starting to drop from their peak so now is the time to buy. You’re also better jumping ship now before you start getting chargers with dedicated smart meters.

 

[Rau1327]

If you get your order in sharpish and you might be in time to claim the grant for the charger installation. While the money is there you might as well get it, unless the manufacturer is footing the bill.

The cost argument is one compelling one but it shouldn’t be your only motivation. As mentioned above you can work out where your break even p per kWh is by working out the pence per mile of your current car and comparing it at different kwh price points. It will vary a lot based on model - my petrol automatic is pretty thirsty unless you’re on a long trip (where the torque converter has a locking mechanism in 6th) so break even across the year was up at the mid 50s pence per kWh. This includes the finance cost compared model for model.

The other benefit is that EVs are just, IMO at any rate, so much nicer places to be. Quieter, easier, smooth and punchy - usually with tons of kit as well. Your mileage for this will vary but there’s a reason fee EV drivers turn back.

The ecological benefit is there too - the only downside is the inconvenience of the charging network and that’s down to us as individuals to decide if we can live with it.

 

[WrinklyBob]

Hi everyone,

I have been considering switching to an ev for a few months but with recent changes to grants and increased electricity prices I am not so sure there is the same cost saving to be had.

I do around 20k miles a year with most of that being work trips from Glasgow to Yorkshire/ Lancashire twice a month. I reckon approx 30% charging would need to be public rapids while away with the rest home charging. I know with a bit of planning I can pick hotels with chargers to help reduce the reliance on rapids but using the 30% as a worse case.

I was looking at the e niro long range before the grant changes have it out of my budget. Now thinking of the new zs EV long range but am not sure if I am getting any benefit to my existing Kia Ceed if electric prices go up significantly. Am currently paying 17p/KW but that deal finishes and in a couple of months just in time for whatever the new call is 😡.

Any advice from experienced EV drivers would be helpful.

Thanks

If you are in Scotland There is the interest-free loan - or has that changed?

 

[donald]

Let's not argue about what BEVs are about. Pretty sure we are all mindful of all of the potential benefits, and deficits, but weigh them differently.

They are clearly a superior solution to ICE, the question is merely does one have the money/income to put it on one's short list for 'next car'?

 

[cah197]

Let's not argue about what BEVs are about. Pretty sure we are all mindful of all of the potential benefits, and deficits, but weigh them differently.

They are clearly a superior solution to ICE, the question is merely does one have the money/income to put it on one's short list for 'next car'?

How are you? Are you OK?

You seem to have broken out into a series of considerate, well balanced and thoughtful posts.

(If someone has stolen your login, then just wink twice for help)

 

[Jimlad]

Get yourself on octopus go and pay 7.5p / kwh to charge.

Also, its not just about money...EVs are nicer to drive and save carbon emissions.

No Brainer

 

[donald]

If you are in Scotland There is the interest-free loan - or has that changed?

There is interest free loan in England too ... there is no interest in offering a loan ...

 

[donald]

How are you? Are you OK?

You seem to have broken out into a series of considerate, well balanced and thoughtful posts.

(If someone has stolen your login, then just wink twice for help)

I've never changed. Have you broken out into someone who's started reading to the end of my posts? You're getting soft in your old age.

 

[GerryP]

Get yourself on octopus go and pay 7.5p / kwh to charge.

And pay over 30p/kwh at every other time for the privilege. Unless you can move your usage to overnight its not a money saver.
Plus they arent currently accepting new customers..

 

[Snax]

On a purely shadefreude point, I regularly enjoy laughing at petrol prices. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

my octopus tariff is locked in for a few more months.

my thinking is the best time to buy an EV is yesterday!

 

[freddym]

Hi everyone,

I have been considering switching to an ev for a few months but with recent changes to grants and increased electricity prices I am not so sure there is the same cost saving to be had.

I do around 20k miles a year with most of that being work trips from Glasgow to Yorkshire/ Lancashire twice a month. I reckon approx 30% charging would need to be public rapids while away with the rest home charging. I know with a bit of planning I can pick hotels with chargers to help reduce the reliance on rapids but using the 30% as a worse case.

I was looking at the e niro long range before the grant changes have it out of my budget. Now thinking of the new zs EV long range but am not sure if I am getting any benefit to my existing Kia Ceed if electric prices go up significantly. Am currently paying 17p/KW but that deal finishes and in a couple of months just in time for whatever the new call is 😡.

Any advice from experienced EV drivers would be helpful.

Thanks

Your main cost saving is doing your bit to avoid wrecking the planet. You can look your children and grandchildren in the eye and say yes I did my bit ( and stopped burning fossil fuels).

 

[donald]

Your main cost saving is doing your bit to avoid wrecking the planet.

Too dogmatic. If that were true, don't have a car at all. BEVs have a 'lesser' impact, it is not 'zero' impact. All you are doing with BEVs is reducing the effect 'per unit' so more people can have them to the same effect in total.

 

[GarryL]

Hi everyone,

I have been considering switching to an ev for a few months but with recent changes to grants and increased electricity prices I am not so sure there is the same cost saving to be had.

I do around 20k miles a year with most of that being work trips from Glasgow to Yorkshire/ Lancashire twice a month. I reckon approx 30% charging would need to be public rapids while away with the rest home charging. I know with a bit of planning I can pick hotels with chargers to help reduce the reliance on rapids but using the 30% as a worse case.

I was looking at the e niro long range before the grant changes have it out of my budget. Now thinking of the new zs EV long range but am not sure if I am getting any benefit to my existing Kia Ceed if electric prices go up significantly. Am currently paying 17p/KW but that deal finishes and in a couple of months just in time for whatever the new call is 😡.

Any advice from experienced EV drivers would be helpful.

Thanks

Hi, I also moved from a Kia Ceed to an EV. I do about 9k miles a year, and am saving closer to £1k a year on running costs over the Ceed. The potential savings at 20k miles a year are very significant.

However, the flip side is:

• mine was a petrol Ceed that got 35 mpg (most are diesel and more efficient)
• it was also out of warranty and maintenance costs were rising
• 90% of my EV charging is at home or free, so my average kWh price is cheaper than what you expect to see
• once purchase cost is factored in, I will not make a saving overall compared with my normal car buying MO, which was to buy used. This is the first new car I ever bought

In my view the green arguments are compelling but I think it's great that some people see economic benefits from EV ownership too. At the end of the day, what you think is unimportant. It's what you do that matters.

Kind regards
- Garry