EV For elderly parents

Cyrus · 21-02-2026 10:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124253101#Comment_124253101

Purely out of interest what is it about a hybrid that appeals to them ? Or rather what is it about an EV that they don't like

rock22 · 21-02-2026 10:30AM

Close to your parents age and thinking about changing from Skoda diesel, 2012, to an EV, so this thread is very interesting to me.

I can understand the desire to move away from diesel if the annual mileage has declined as the same applies to myself. And on paper i see the advantage of an EV.

But I don't understand any advantage regarding hybrids. It seems, to my uneducated eye. that the car had the complications of an EV and ICE engine and no real advantage over either. An I missing some thing here?

I too don't like the idea of a touchscreen and would prefer buttons .

Just in reply to the op, all VW cars, i.e. Skoda, VW, Audi, etc., seem to share a lot of switch gear and any suitable model might be easier for your mother to adopt to. The boot of my car (Superb) has two options, a small boot opening suitable for most things and a hatchback type opening which lifts the whole of the rear and allows a much larger load. That feature, the usual smaller boot, might suit you mother. Not sure what modern cars have this.

...Ghost... · 21-02-2026 10:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124253122#Comment_124253122

I don't see any advantage to mild hybrid, as it just doubles up on the complexity of 2 drivetrains and adds a miniscule battery for either advertising snake oil, or improving the MPG. Problem is the tiny battery will have a far higher cycle frequency compared to a BEV, or even a modern PHEV and as such will become useless and the MPG will become much lower over a small number of years as the hybrid battery dies.

Cabin and UI designs are separate to drivetrains and big UI screens seems to be the fashionable thing. I like the large screens personally, but I understand why others don't. I've added buttons and physical controls with aftermarket items which have satisfied my needs, but I appreciate not everyone will be knowledgeable or even interested in these options.

Flinty997 · 21-02-2026 11:50AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124253122#Comment_124253122

I originally wanted a Phev but ended up getting an BEV. Have it a a few years now. I don't see any point to the Phev. Any long journey the BEV can do. On ninebark use you'll be charging the PHEV much more often and slower than a BEV.

But the market (which mostly fears the unknown) prefers the PHEV so they have better resale. So you'd have consider that.

If I was doing long journeys with any frequency, I just buy a non hybrid petrol.

Flinty997 · 21-02-2026 12:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124252282#Comment_124252282

I think a person has to want to embrace the new, want to embrace an EV to switch to it.

The battery thing is a bit like mobile phone. It's not an issue because your almost never out of range of home. It's a mindset issue.

Travelling beyond the range of home requires practice of using public chargers. That comes down to a desire to embrace the new.

autumnalcore · 21-02-2026 01:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124253170#Comment_124253170

Depends how long you're keeping the car I guess. If you're planning on driving it til it drops I can see the advantage of the Toyota e-cvt hybrids over a normal ICE no gearbox, no slush box, no clutch, no timing belt plenty around with over 500k on them.

Conversely couple of friend have hybrid Skodas with conventional DSG gearbox, timing belt with continuous servicing, short gearbox life expectancy and massive bills when it goes wrong. So yeah would rather a manual ICE Skoda than deal with that.

But if you're the type of person that gets a new car every couple of years none of that is likely to concern you.

EV For elderly parents

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