[ronfromdon]

Hi all,

I'm new here and am researching electric cars to use for my commute when returning to the office later in the year. I used to commute by train but can't justify the cost of a season ticket anymore (£6.5k) as I will only be going in a couple of days a week.

The Ioniq seems to fit the bill in terms of cost and range with some very attractive lease deals. I'll probably try it for a couple of months first via someone like ONTO. Even at their prices and my current electricity tariff it's cheaper than the train.

My only doubt is will it definitely be able to get me to work and back (106 miles) on a full charge in the worst winter weather, so cold, dark and wet? The journey is about one third 50mph A-roads through villages and two thirds motorway. My driving style is sensible and within speed limits but no slower.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SunnyG]

Hi There,

Welcome to the forum! Your use case was pretty much the same reason I got started on my EV journey, decided against buying a train season ticket and opted to go for a car at half the cost and drive into London - my first was the 22kwh Zoe, which was a pretty painful experience with it's 55 mile winter range! (one way commute for me was 40 miles).

However, times have improved and whilst I haven't driven the Ioniq before, it's something I did strongly consider replacing my current Soul EV before deciding not to sell it just yet - but from my research I think your commute should easily be achievable in the 38kwh version. Onto would definitely be a good way to test this out, at least you're only tied in for a month and can always change if it's not right for you - but speaking from experience, once you enjoy the commute in the comfort of your own vehicle instead of relying on the dodgy train networks and being cramped up like sardines, I'm sure you won't be giving national rail any more of your money!! Spend a bit of time looking into the charge points en route, nearby to where you'd be parking as back up though - always essential info to have!

 

[Bodgerx]

Hi all,

I'm new here and am researching electric cars to use for my commute when returning to the office later in the year. I used to commute by train but can't justify the cost of a season ticket anymore (£6.5k) as I will only be going in a couple of days a week.

The Ioniq seems to fit the bill in terms of cost and range with some very attractive lease deals. I'll probably try it for a couple of months first via someone like ONTO. Even at their prices and my current electricity tariff it's cheaper than the train.

My only doubt is will it definitely be able to get me to work and back (106 miles) on a full charge in the worst winter weather, so cold, dark and wet? The journey is about one third 50mph A-roads through villages and two thirds motorway. My driving style is sensible and within speed limits but no slower.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Current Ioniq 38kwh owner here.

No problem to be found here. You'll easily have enough range.

Summer I am getting about 180-190 miles depending on driving type.

Coldest of winter so far, we are getting 155-165 miles.


Sent from my M2002J9E using Tapatalk

 

[Hitstirrer]

106 miles in an Ioniq 38 is only 2.8 miles per kWh which is easily achievable in winter with lights wipers and heat at a comfort level. With seat and driving wheel heaters on you will find that you don't actually need the cabin heat on high and the Ioniq has that 'driver only' feature as well. Driven normally I would be surprised if it wasn't showing 3.8 miles per kWh in deepest winter which would give you a 35 miles safety margin. In any case, with a 50 miles each way journey you will be passing numerous Rapid chargers where a five or ten minute splash n dash anywhere on one leg would satisfy even the most paranoid range anxiety concern over reaching home.

 

[Cantonalegod]

106 miles, even in deepest UK winter, will be a breeze in a 38kWh Ioniq.

Did a quick return trip from Barnstaple to Newton Abbot today, 121 miles, all on A roads.

Didn't have time to fully charge, started at 75%, 150 miles on GOM, got home with 19%, 44 miles left on GOM (no way I could do 44!!!)

So 121 miles using 56% battery, @5.6 mpkWh.

Normal mode, level 3 regen all the way.

Temp was between 7°c and 11°c.

This car has to be driven to be believed! ❤

 

[6652]

Hi all,

I'm new here and am researching electric cars to use for my commute when returning to the office later in the year. I used to commute by train but can't justify the cost of a season ticket anymore (£6.5k) as I will only be going in a couple of days a week.

The Ioniq seems to fit the bill in terms of cost and range with some very attractive lease deals. I'll probably try it for a couple of months first via someone like ONTO. Even at their prices and my current electricity tariff it's cheaper than the train.

My only doubt is will it definitely be able to get me to work and back (106 miles) on a full charge in the worst winter weather, so cold, dark and wet? The journey is about one third 50mph A-roads through villages and two thirds motorway. My driving style is sensible and within speed limits but no slower.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

EV database figures seem accurate based on EVs I’ve owned, maybe worth a look?

Hyundai IONIQ Electric

All details and specs of the Hyundai IONIQ Electric (2019-2022). Compare price, lease, real-world range and consumption of every electric vehicle.

ev-database.uk

They’re possibly on the slightly pessimistic side, but it should represent the worst achievable range, as the highway speed cold weather figure is calculated at -10c.

Few EVs achieve best efficiency at 70mph+, so you might need to dial it down speed wise on the motorway in cold temps/head winds/wet weather to keep a margin, but those days should be few and far between.

With the 1/3rd 50 mph section though, you shouldn’t have any problems.

You’ll get some impressive numbers quoted, but you need to consider what average speeds they were achieved at, the driving style, terrain etc.

 

[CasperStorm]

I can get 110-120 miles in a ZS EV in the crappiest wet freezing winter at similar speeds.

Ioniq 38 will manage it with a large margin of safety.

 

[Petriix]

I don't doubt that the Ioniq is amongst the more efficient EVs when driven at speed, but take the claims here with a pinch of salt. There may be times when you'll achieve closer to 2.5 miles per kWh if it's cold, wet and windy. 110 miles should always be achievable, but 150 miles might be a tad optimistic for proper motorway speed journeys in the worst conditions. I think many EV drivers never actually drive at 70mph.

 

[Free charge addict]

I’ve done two winters in my Ioniq 38, never had less than 140 on charge and that’s with ice/snow etc so you’re 106 is guaranteed. I don’t get 5.6m/Kw as others are suggesting but maybe I drive it less cautiously. Yet I agree it’s v efficient.

 

[Hitstirrer]

Thing is that people rarely push along at a religious 70 indicated if the weather is really crappy. Visibility is usually poor in such conditions and self-preservation causes them to back off a bit to the low 60's. As we all know, a combination of rain, wind, cold, and speed can drain a battery rapidly. But such extreme days are not often seen, and with just a modicum of common sense, an EV driver can adjust their driving style to cope with both the conditions and the potential battery drain and avoid any range problems. A 10 mph reduction in speed on the motorway in poor weather and visibility can overcome range problems and probably save your life in the bargain.

 

[Panda]

I agree with most of the posters here, we have never had below 140 on motorways in the middle of winter, with heating on and below 5 degrees. That is genuine. My wife tends to drive and she will do the speed limit whenever she can, but she is a magician with letting the car coast by selecting zero regeneration on motorways. You will honestly have no issues with the Ioniq for the journey you describe.

As some people seem to not believe these numbers, here are some independent tests:

In warmer weather Insideevs tested the Ioniq 38 at a constant 70mph on a 'highway' and reached a range of 170 miles, averaging 4.5 m/kwh and making it the most efficient highway car they tested. 2020 Hyundai Ioniq 70 MPH Highway Range Test: Amazingly Efficient!

Bjorn Nyland reached 167 miles at temps between 1-4 degrees with a wet road. This was about 60mph.

Driving electric when faced with 2-5°C and a mix of city roads and motorways still managed 4 miles per kWh and a maximum range of 166 miles on a full charge. Hyundai Ioniq Electric review | DrivingElectric

We are on our third EV and a forth will arrive at the end of the month. Before owning the Ioniq, I used to visit the Ioniq threads and couldn't believe the efficiency people quoted, but they were right.

 

[IoniqHugh]

I concur with most posters here. The Ioniq will breeze that commute. I only have the old 28kWh model and after two winters use I would have no problem with that journey. I suspect some posters seem to extrapolate data from their very short journeys where efficiency looks poor initially . I have often started with 3 point something kWh, but improves as vehicle battery warms. After two winters of regular 50+ mile commute either way (Tewkesbury to near Birmingham airport ) of mostly motorway, I wouldn’t worry about it at all. The 38 would absolutely breeze it. I get 150 mile range in summer in my 28, and don’t even look for chargers unless journey over 120-130 miles. In winter I work on 100-110 without looking, and my only adjustment would be to lower speed a bit (don’t turn heating off or anything similarly radical).

 

[Bodgerx]

I don't doubt that the Ioniq is amongst the more efficient EVs when driven at speed, but take the claims here with a pinch of salt. There may be times when you'll achieve closer to 2.5 miles per kWh if it's cold, wet and windy. 110 miles should always be achievable, but 150 miles might be a tad optimistic for proper motorway speed journeys in the worst conditions. I think many EV drivers never actually drive at 70mph.

IDK, just relaying my experience as an Ioniq owner, that's all. It isn't a claim, it's what's happened.

2.5 miles per kWh translates to 95 miles range. I have never had even close to that low before. I think your Ioniq is broken if you are getting that at any point.

 

[KenB]

When people say 28kwh and 38kwh batts is that useable

 

[Bodgerx]

When people say 28kwh and 38kwh batts is that useable

Yes. Actual capacity is apparently around 40kwh, but there's no actual documented number from Hyundai afaik.

 

[BillTheButcher]

According to EV-database, the battery size is 40.4kWh; 38.3kWh usable.

My Ioniq's averaged 4.1 miles per kWh over the 150 miles I've done so far, mostly in sub-zero temperatures with a 50/50 split of motorway (SCC set at 70) and city driving.

 

[EVJourney]

The Ioniq is astonishing really, in terms of efficiency. Maintaining a 150+ miles is easy in winter with a true average of 60mph for the full journey, that includes the slower speeds encountered at either end of the journey.
Obviously if you started on a motorway at 100% and somehow managed to keep up 70mph with out stopping or slowing down, then you aren't in the UK, and that is fantasy land or you are driving in the depths of the night, you might make it do 130-140.

As for summer driving, I've managed well over 200 on a full charge, driving as fast as legally allowed on a long trip with the majority of that being motorway (some 50mph roadworks on M1) with AC blasting as it was a mega hot day.

OP is doing 106 / 2 = 53 miles each way, and 33% is 50mph, so 17.5 miles, and the remaining 35.5 miles at a maximum of 70mph. That works out at 63mph on average, but in the real world will more than likely be 55-60 at the most.

EDIT: Also £6.5k for a season ticket for a year. My entire 2 year lease for the Ioniq costs less than one year of a season ticket. Even if you did that 106 mile journey 240 days of the year (26k miles) that would only add £1,700 extra per year, so you'd spend about £9k for two years, plus the electricity costs, which would I assume be on something like Octopus Go, which will get you about 25kW into the battery in 4 hours at 5ppkWh. Using an average of 4.5mpkWh for the year, you could spend as little as £290 on the electricity costs.

 

[MDave]

I am/was getting a minimum of 127 miles winter range in my 28kWh. Maximum of 155miles in summer. I don't hypermile the car or anything, just drive it like normal and it really does go that far. It's one of the best EV's for efficiency with national speed limit driving.

 

[EVJourney]

Just posted a deal in the cheap deals thread.

Cheap Deals Thread

Take issue all you like, it isn't going to stop it happening it is just a matter of time. Agreed, it is just a matter of time. However, some manufacturers are not in the position of having alternatives to offer in the way that VW has in your example. Go into a Ford or Lard Rover dealership and...

www.speakev.com

36 months for £6.8k plus excess mileage, you'd be at £12,000 in total over 3 years (75,000 miles), worth speaking to them to see if it is cheaper paying up front for more miles. Usually isn't though.

 

[Leafocaster]

I am a Leaf 30 owner of 4 years now and am looking for a replacement. Doing some research, I’ve realised the Ioniq is what the Leaf 40 should have been, Nissan seem to have rested on their laurels the last few years and missed the mark in my opinion.

150 miles will do me nicely as opposed to the current 80 odd miles, leaving margin for error or non-working chargers so an Ioniq 38 will fit in nicely.