Is it worth it for me?

rom

Currently I do 17k km/y

My commute is 15km

Home owner so would be able to charge it at home.

Would be replacing a 2011 Corolla that has 190 road tax. Its mileage is just north of 100km so no idea what I would get for trade in or if I should sell privately?

With saving money over time in running costs to offset the depreciating value of a car what could I expect to do here.

I have two kids 4 and 7 so they need car seats. When I was in the leaf before it seemed very tight and them kicking me in the back wold get annoying.

Like the 2011 car won't last forever. Fill the car about 60 euro twice a month. With road tax and fuel saving I expect maybe 1300 euro a year saving? So I don't mind putting a bit more money with that.

Carzone says the Corolla is about 10k euro.

Alkers

Are you thinking of changing your car anyway? If you're contemplating a new car in any case it is a no-brainer but Vs keeping your existing car or buying another second hand car will depend on your financial situation also. Do you have any budget to put towards a new car (along with selling your existing car)?

Do you have a second car in the family or can you live with one car? Apart from your commute what other car needs have you?

rom

Simona1986 wrote: »

Are you thinking of changing your car anyway? If you're contemplating a new car in any case it is a no-brainer but Vs keeping your existing car or buying another second hand car will depend on your financial situation also. Do you have any budget to put towards a new car (along with selling your existing car)?

Do you have a second car in the family or can you live with one car? Apart from your commute what other car needs have you?

2 cars currently. Would give the octavia to the wife.
My needs aren't really much to be honest other than getting to and from work. Come the summer my wife will be doing all the dropping and collecting going forward so it would be super rare the kids are in my car.

- Needs are really drive to and from work (I live quite central and don't drive much outside of that)
- Workplace even has charging points
- Ideally a bit of legroom at the back for the kids seats.
- Boot space not really relevant as other car is an estate.
- would like to make use of any grants to get a plug at home etc
- I am insured on wife's car and visa versa. She also has a very short commute so mainly room for the kids seats which are the group 3 ones for older kids. 2 kids.

grudgehugger

rom wrote: »

2 cars currently. Would give the octavia to the wife.
My needs aren't really much to be honest other than getting to and from work. Come the summer my wife will be doing all the dropping and collecting going forward so it would be super rare the kids are in my car.

- Needs are really drive to and from work (I live quite central and don't drive much outside of that)
- Workplace even has charging points
- Ideally a bit of legroom at the back for the kids seats.
- Boot space not really relevant as other car is an estate.
- would like to make use of any grants to get a plug at home etc
- I am insured on wife's car and visa versa. She also has a very short commute so mainly room for the kids seats which are the group 3 ones for older kids. 2 kids.

I bought the new Leaf 6 months ago. Primary use is my work commute (75km round trip). Have second car as well.

I’m budgeting to save approx €1500 a year based on 20k mileage and home charging so your €1300 sounds fair to me.

As it happens, have two boys 4 and 7 myself. Car seats fit fine and boot reasonably spacious (we drove it to Cork for a weekend away and fitted a kids bike and scooter in...)

If the sums work, I’d definitely go for it.

ELM327

In your use case I'd strongly suggest an Outlander PHEV. Daily range easily covered on electricity only but you have the backup of a petrol engine for longer trips.

Should not be much more than 4-5k more than your current car for an early model.

Soarer

rom wrote: »

2 cars currently. Would give the octavia to the wife.
My needs aren't really much to be honest other than getting to and from work. Come the summer my wife will be doing all the dropping and collecting going forward so it would be super rare the kids are in my car.

- Needs are really drive to and from work (I live quite central and don't drive much outside of that)
- Workplace even has charging points
- Ideally a bit of legroom at the back for the kids seats.
- Boot space not really relevant as other car is an estate.
- would like to make use of any grants to get a plug at home etc
- I am insured on wife's car and visa versa. She also has a very short commute so mainly room for the kids seats which are the group 3 ones for older kids. 2 kids.

If you do go EV, I'd suggest giving it to your wife for the summer while she deals with the kids. That's exactly what EVs are designed for, and you'll save another small fortune in fuel.
There's no point in having the EV sitting in work with you, while she's stopping and starting her ICE doing all small journeys.

IMO.

Zenith74

The Leaf is worth another look I think. They're bigger than they look on the outside, I've had two kids seats in the back and am 6', never noticed a squeeze in the back or any kicking. And they're great value for the kind of driving you do.

Personally I'd try and stretch to a low mileage 2014/15 Tekna/SVE spec as you'll get lots of fun gadgets. You might pay €14-15k for one. But if you'd prefer not to add so much to your current car, a lower spec 2014 can be had for €11k.

You will be eligible for the SEAI Home Charger grant.

Lantus

Is the 15km a day correct? 75km a week. Let's say 100km a week which is within the realms of 7l/100km. At 1.40 unleaded is 9.20 a week. Let's say 10eu a week. That's 40 a month but your spending 120? 3 times that.....

Anyway. For your mileage a free car is ideal. Save up like mad and a 2nd hand leaf could be a nice replacement when the time comes. To be fair any ice would compete at such low mileage.

Black_Knight

Lantus wrote: »

Is the 15km a day correct? 75km a week. Let's say 100km a week which is within the realms of 7l/100km. At 1.40 unleaded is 9.20 a week. Let's say 10eu a week. That's 40 a month but your spending 120? 3 times that.....

Maybe he gets to work really fast! And i'd assume it's 15km each way + some/lots of weekend driving.

OP, I drive much less than you now (so long Dublin) and im probably better off in an EV. I've all my milage and fuel costs logged, and from the stats, the motor forum would hang me out to dry. Last year I did about 9000km, costing ~€850. Tax is €390, and i'll be doing yearly NCTs now (€50). Total... €1300.
EV charging at the house on day rates would be ~€215 for the year, and €120 tax. Even more savings if I switch to a night rate (though im not sure if there's a cost from ESB for that), and I typically run the dishwasher/washing machine/tumble dryer at night anyways).
Both cars will depreciate (the new one moreso), but while im not in an EV, i'm basically spending an extra €1000 a year.

Now I just need an (affordable) EV that can do my 220-240km trip back home without having to stop.

unkel

Black_Knight wrote: »

Now I just need an (affordable) EV that can do my 220-240km trip back home without having to stop.

In winter only Kona and the Teslas can do 240km. Unless in your book €37k is affordable, forget it.

What is your route and why do you insist you do not want to stop?

Lantus

Black_Knight wrote: »

OP, I drive much less than you now (so long Dublin) and im probably better off in an EV. I've all my milage and fuel costs logged, and from the stats, the motor forum would hang me out to dry. Last year I did about 9000km, costing ~€850. Tax is €390, and i'll be doing yearly NCTs now (€50). Total... €1300.
EV charging at the house on day rates would be ~€215 for the year, and €120 tax. Even more savings if I switch to a night rate (though im not sure if there's a cost from ESB for that), and I typically run the dishwasher/washing machine/tumble dryer at night anyways).
Both cars will depreciate (the new one moreso), but while im not in an EV, i'm basically spending an extra €1000 a year.

Now I just need an (affordable) EV that can do my 220-240km trip back home without having to stop.

1000 a year isn't too bad. What do you spend on loan repayments on your current car compared to that of a new or ideally used, if feasible EV?

Stealthirl

If your only going to use it for a 15Km commute why not look at a L24 with the 6.6 if you want the faster charging on SCP. Drive it for a while and then if you want go for a L40 when they come down in price. I was using about €140 a month of diesel but now even just charging at home im saving over €100 a month. Last month i did over 2K km costing me just under €50.

My plan is to likely pick up a 2018 L40 in 2 years

Black_Knight

unkel wrote: »

In winter only Kona and the Teslas can do 240km. Unless in your book €37k is affordable, forget it.

What is your route and why do you insist you do not want to stop?

€37k is not affordable, and not value after reading all about the irish spec Kona. Wifey says no

Route would be Cork to Athlone. Not saying I wouldn't stop, but I don't want to have to stop.

Lantus wrote: »

1000 a year isn't too bad. What do you spend on loan repayments on your current car compared to that of a new or ideally used, if feasible EV?

Zero. Car is mine and always has been. I've never taken finance to buy a car, hence 37k not being affordable.

fricatus

Black_Knight wrote: »

Route would be Cork to Athlone. Not saying I wouldn't stop, but I don't want to have to stop.

I sort of felt the same before having an EV, but now I just accept that I may have to stop, and schedule that into my journey. There are plenty of fast chargers on your route, and by the time you've gone to the loo and got a coffee, you're usually juiced up enough to get going again. It's worth it for always having fuel that's about 1/5 the cost of petrol or diesel.

Black_Knight wrote: »

Zero. Car is mine and always has been. I've never taken finance to buy a car, hence 37k not being affordable.

I hear where you're coming from here, however people shouldn't be afraid of finance if the overall cost savings justify it. I got finance for my Ioniq, which I never would have done for an ICE car - reason being that I was saving nearly €2700 a year on diesel and tax, so overall I was better off. That might be less the case for you with your lower mileage, but the point still stands.

Lantus

fricatus wrote: »

It's worth it for always having fuel that's about 1/5 the cost of petrol or diesel.

I hear where you're coming from here, however people shouldn't be afraid of finance if the overall cost savings justify it. I got finance for my Ioniq, which I never would have done for an ICE car - reason being that I was saving nearly €2700 a year on diesel and tax, so overall I was better off. That might be less the case for you with your lower mileage, but the point still stands.

I drive 25k a year and it costs me 1500 in diesel or 30 a week on a 50 week year (holidays)

Impressed that saving which presumably excludes your current elec cost which let's say is 700 a year so say 3400 a year you were spending on diesel.

Some mileage at say 50k+ a year you have replaced with an ioniq or your diesel was very inefficient and or high performance....

As black Knight correctly implied from my comment there is a huge payback curve to break even on a modern EV.

You may save money after 5 or 7 years depending on your capital cost and mileage.

It's like the fella that saves 50eu a month on his elec after installing a 10k solar pv system.

There are savings to be made but people need to scrutinise the figures. Hybrid offers slender to no real saving unless we can believe Toyota advert where the customer claimed she drove for 5 weeks without filling up. Plus it's so much better for her children's future. Are we that stupid we will fall for that?

KCross

Lantus wrote: »

As black Knight correctly implied from my comment there is a huge payback curve to break even on a modern EV.

You may save money after 5 or 7 years depending on your capital cost and mileage.

Thats a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" argument though.

As you said, it depends on what your mileage is but also what car you would be buying anyway.

If you are driving a €2k car and upgrading to a €38k Kona its hard to justify it but so is going from a €2k car to a €38k BMW (or whatever car you choose to pick).


You've got to compare like for like, not bangernomics to new (which can work too)


Savings start immediately and its just a case of buying at the price point that you would be buying at anyway. If you are stretching your financial means to get on the EV ladder then you need to take a closer look at the figures alright.


TL;DR: I dont think the payback time is huge at all. Every mile I drive is payback.

unkel

Black_Knight wrote: »

Route would be Cork to Athlone. Not saying I wouldn't stop, but I don't want to have to stop.

Cork city centre to Athlone is 213km according to Google maps. With gentle driving you can make that in cheaper to buy EVs like Ioniq and Leaf40 (buy for around the €23k mark second hand in private sale or bring in from the UK)

Or just drive it at the speed limit for a 10-20 minute stop in the middle...

Lantus

KCross wrote: »

Thats a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" argument though.

As you said, it depends on what your mileage is but also what car you would be buying anyway.

If you are driving a €2k car and upgrading to a €38k Kona its hard to justify it but so is going from a €2k car to a €38k BMW (or whatever car you choose to pick).


You've got to compare like for like, not bangernomics to new (which can work too)


Savings start immediately and its just a case of buying at the price point that you would be buying at anyway. If you are stretching your financial means to get on the EV ladder then you need to take a closer look at the figures alright.


TL;DR: I dont think the payback time is huge at all. Every mile I drive is payback.

100% correct. If your normal car spend is 40k an EV is no issue and savings are real. If you normally budget 15k but will stretch to 30k or more! to save money then be very careful. Run your numbers and compare the alternative scenarios to get the full picture.

fricatus

Lantus wrote: »

I drive 25k a year and it costs me 1500 in diesel or 30 a week on a 50 week year (holidays)

Impressed that saving which presumably excludes your current elec cost which let's say is 700 a year so say 3400 a year you were spending on diesel.

Some mileage at say 50k+ a year you have replaced with an ioniq or your diesel was very inefficient and or high performance....

No, my saving was on both diesel and tax...I was driving over 20,000 miles a year in a Honda Accord 2.2 at a cost of about 11c per mile in diesel. The diesel cost €2,200, minus €400 in electricity gives a saving of €1,800. The tax on the '05 2.2 diesel was €994, and on the new car it's €120, so a saving of €874 to bring us up to €2674.

Black_Knight

Lantus wrote: »

100% correct. If your normal car spend is 40k an EV is no issue and savings are real. If you normally budget 15k but will stretch to 30k or more! to save money then be very careful. Run your numbers and compare the alternative scenarios to get the full picture.

Yeah. I'm more the latter. ~€20k is what i'd typically spend on our "main" car (in my sig), but if our main car is just doing 8-9km a year the 2.0tdi isn't really needed.

Had planned to keep the current car for another year, maybe 2, but considering the frequent 10 minute drives to and from work it's only asking to give trouble with the DPF. Then that's 1-2 years where i'm spending an extra €1k running that car, and 1-2 years more depreciation on it. If a 2nd hand Ioniq suits our needs now, I don't see what's to be gained in waiting 1-2 years. If I wait, sure, i'll get a newer EV for the same money, and hopefully a few extra KM from it, but at the cost of €1k a year in lost savings, and more depreciation on my current car.

Black_Knight

fricatus wrote: »

I hear where you're coming from here, however people shouldn't be afraid of finance if the overall cost savings justify it. I got finance for my Ioniq, which I never would have done for an ICE car - reason being that I was saving nearly €2700 a year on diesel and tax, so overall I was better off. That might be less the case for you with your lower mileage, but the point still stands.

Interesting perspective. Fuel savings vs. finance cost. I don't think my wife will buy it... and she doesn't have to... she just has to finance it.