EV for learner

Blackcurrent Lemsip

I'm considering getting an EV for my daughter who is currently learning to drive.

Her test is in the end of August and shes doing three hours of lessons a week so I'm thinking she'll pass.

Anyway I considering an EV. I never had an EV but have owned a hybrid in the past (GS450h)

Are they suitable for a new driver?
Is handling much different?
Is the Leaf the best?
It would be used in Galway city during the week and needs to be able to drive back to Wicklow whenever she wants to come home. So range would be important. There are charging points in NUIG afaik

I know nothing about them but they are the future so it is sensible or not to consider one.
Budget would be 10k or less

Thanks in advance

zilog_jones

You're not going to find any EV for under 10k that will do Galway to Wicklow! A 24 kWh Nissan Leaf of that age has a range of around 110-120 km.

Turbohymac

Possibly wont be able to drive a manual transmission either.. for what its worth I'd get her a small decent petrol with manual transmission till she passes test..otherwise a restricted license..

Blackcurrent Lemsip

zilog_jones wrote: »

You're not going to find any EV for under 10k that will do Galway to Wicklow! A 24 kWh Nissan Leaf of that age has a range of around 110-120 km.

Ah ok it was just an idea. So you'd be looking at 60 KWH to be safe?

Gumbo

Blackcurrent Lemsip wrote: »

Ah ok it was just an idea. So you'd be looking at 60 KWH to be safe?

what's the distance?
Is it all motorway driving?
Will she have access to charging at both ends?

slave1

Blackcurrent Lemsip wrote: »

Ah ok it was just an idea. So you'd be looking at 60 KWH to be safe?

Yes, or circa €39k, as others have said a nice low cc ICE would be perfect

...Ghost...

A small petrol car for the budget and distance is what she needs.

Someone said her license would be restricted. This is true, she would not be able to drive a manual if she took the test in an automatic, but I don't think that matters much anymore. There are plenty of automatic cars on the market and EVs are auto too.

You would have to increase the budget to get something like a Nissan Leaf 30kWh. Cheapest one I see in the UK is £12k (so say €13,500 to get back to Ireland). Its a 2016 mid spec.

The con would be that on the Galway-Wicklow trips, she would have to stop off for 20-30 minutes to top up the battery at a rapid charger and obviously it is above budget.

The pros are that you pay no VRT to bring it home. The tax is 120 a year and the running costs are lower, which helps to recoup the higher purchase cost over time. The cost of her longer commutes will be the coffee she buys at the service station, as it's currently free to charge on the network, but when they bring in fees for charging, that will be a good thing.

My sister in law got her first car about a month ago. She passed her test in a Leaf 24 and bought a Leaf 30 shortly after.

slave1

...Ghost... wrote: »

The con would be that on the Galway-Wicklow trips, she would have to stop off for 20-30 minutes to top up the battery at a rapid charger and obviously it is above budget.

If travelling on the motorway then two stops each way, especially in Winter in a L30

80sDiesel

I was trying to get my wife an automatic as in future all cars* will be auto and I figured it would be easier to pass. Lost that battle.

...Ghost...

slave1 wrote: »

If travelling on the motorway then two stops each way, especially in Winter in a L30

It depends on the total distance, but I am sure there would be occasions where 2 stops would be needed. I think most of the time a single stop would be fine if speed is kept around 100kph.

Shefwedfan

Insurance, tax, tolls, fuel etc are all cheaper

Ok to travel from Galway to Wicklow will be a pain but can be managed. Depends on how many times she would want to come home.

Auto only, I wouldn't even consider that an issue

Budget is, you will only get a Gen 1 Leaf 24kWh for that budget or maybe a Zoe