Alex Lambert discusses his Seat Mii Electric and explains why it is the perfect first step into the world of electric vehicles.  

Tell us about your EV?

I have a Seat Mii Electric. It’s a small, quite basic town car. This is my first EV; 95% of my journeys are short commutes to work but beyond that, only a small percentage ever going beyond 50 miles. I had been considering an electric vehicle for a while but they are still quite expensive to buy. I saw a good leasing deal on the Mii whilst looking for my next car so I decided to go for it!

What do you like about the exterior of your car?

It just looks like a normal car; it would perhaps be nice if it was a little bolder but being conservative makes it easier to change from ICE to EV.

What about the inside?

The radio heating controls etc. are physical buttons and not a fiddly touch screen. Some might dislike the lack of an ‘infotainment system, however, it comes with a mount for your phone, so it’s easy enough to use Android Auto and Google Maps on there anyway.

What do other people think of your car?

People are surprised about how quiet it is and how nippy it is from a standing start. They also like the environmental credentials.

What do you like most about it?

It’s a simple car, easy to use, cheap to run and I have to spend less time at the petrol station. I can plug is in and do more interesting things whilst it is charging. I also don’t wake the family or the neighbours up when working anti-social shifts!

Is there anything you don’t like?

The range is not the greatest but perfectly adequate for my intended purpose. The interior plastics do feel a little cheap, but the car is at the budget end of the EV market. I am also finding that the car will only charge at the advertised 7.2kW if on 3 phase electricity. This is something I have taken up with Seat UK but do not have an official response yet.

If you could go back to the time you bought it, would you go for something different?

No – I am very happy with the deal I got, it’s a great car for the money and an easy first step into the world of EV’s.

Read more:
Living with… The small but sufficient Seat Mii Electric

From a futuristic exterior to a host of technical glitches, Erin Parnell of Eternally Cherished UK, reviews her very own Volkswagen ID.3.

Tell us about your EV?

I am on my second EV. My first was a VW E-Golf. The range was not that great, but it served its purpose which was to save me money on my daily commute which was 144-mile round trip. I now have an VW ID.3 Life which is by far superior, although a little glitchy. We have had to take it in to be looked at 4 or 5 times since we purchased it in December 2020 for various things including issues with the key recognition. However, overall, very happy with the car.

What do you like about the exterior of your car?

I think the exterior is quite unique and easily identifiable and futuristic. The headlights are great and have LED matrix lights which is great for driving at night.

What about the inside?

The ambient lighting which can be set to any colour is a lovely touch for those interested in these small details. It is very comfortable. The inside has a great digital display, although getting used to no gear stick was interesting as it is now on the top right-hand side of the steering wheel, which took some getting used to.

What do other people think of your car?

We often have people walking about our car, and when walking past our driveway. I think a lot more people are considering EVs now, and with the ID.3 being net carbon neutral we are doing good things for the environment.

What do you like most about it?

I like the range the car has, and we took our first long trip with it a little while ago. We were pretty stressed at first but found fast chargers on the motorway and it was fab.

Is there anything you don’t like?

I don’t like all the glitches; I think with new technology you will always get glitches, but it is a bit annoying having to take it back to the dealership every few months with something new.

If you could go back to the time you bought it, would you go for something different?

No, I really enjoy it and for the value for money, it is good. There is now a plethora of EVs to choose from and the update in the technology since we had the E-Golf is excellent.

Read more:
Living with… The good but glitchy Volkswagen ID.3

Despite its popularity and esteem, James, 32 from Stoke, shares her disappointing experience with the Tesla Model 3.

Tell us about your EV?

It’s a blue Tesla Model 3 from 2020.

What do you like about the exterior of your car?

Very little, although if it’s someone’s first encounter with a Tesla, they think it’s cool. It wears off, though.

What about the inside?

The inside is pretty smart and minimalistic. I really like it. Very comfy, and the console is brilliant. As is the steering wheel and electric seats.

What do other people think of your car?

Friends love it, and always want to test drive it. I do let them, and they find it so much better than a combustion engine car to drive.

What do you like most about it?

The drive is really nice. Much better than a combustion engine car. Driving home using adaptive cruise control after a hard day at work is bliss. Not having to constantly slow down and speed up on the motorway takes a lot of the stress of driving away from the commute.

Is there anything you don’t like?

The body seems to have been put together very haphazardly. Various things have gone wrong, such as door windows constantly dropping down a few millimeters, which makes for lots of road noise on the motorway. I have had this looked at several times, but it keeps doing it. Also, the windscreen has cracked TWICE while sitting in my car in the winter, waiting for it to heat up. I was told by someone at Tesla that they had seen this before (lateral cracks when heating windscreen), but when I got to the service centre (both times), they insisted that it was a stone chip. I had to pay twice for this.

If you could go back to the time you bought it, would you go for something different?

Yes, I would find a traditional manufacturer that has decades of experience building car bodies, but now fully electric. Something like a Polestar, or VW.

Review sourced on behalf of ChooseMyCar.

Read more:
Living with…The oddly troublesome Tesla Model 3

Aldo Bosco talks to EV Powered about his Tesla Model 3 Long Range and why he finally made the move over to electric.

Tell us about your EV?

I drive a Tesla Model 3 Long Range. I decided to go electric as a commitment to the planet. In the past, I’ve always driven Bentley’s, Ferrari’s and Audi’s, but I wanted to make a difference. After researching for over a year, I decided on the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and must say I love it.

What do you like about the exterior of your car?

I love the look of this car. The exterior looks very modern and its body is very streamlined. I think the car really stands out from the crowd.

What about the inside?

I would say the inside of this car is minimalist. I don’t miss all the clocks and dials that I used to have on my other cars, and to be honest I never used them anyway!

What do other people think of your car?

Most of the people who have seen my car tend to like it!

What do you like most about it?

What I like most is the feeling that I haven’t compromised on the driving experience. In fact, it’s faster and handles like a race car, all whilst being zero emissions.

Is there anything you don’t like?

There is not a single thing I dislike about this car. However, I did feel it was expensive at just under £50,000 used.

If you could go back to the time you bought it, would you go for something different?

I would only ever have another Tesla. Perhaps next time the S model.

Read more:
Living with…The unrivalled Tesla Model 3 Long Range

Glen Allen talks to EV Powered about his Renault Zoe and why he chose it as his very first electric vehicle.

Tell us about your EV

I have a 2021 ZE50 Iconic. We are new to electric vehicles and the Zoe has been around for around eight years so we thought it would be a good choice for ‘first timers’ and we were not wrong.

What do you like about the exterior of your car?

The Zoe looks smart with LED headlights and its C style running lights. I like how the charge point is at the front for easy access and its Celadon Blue colour is also very nice.

What about the inside?

The interior has been updated from the ZE40 with faux leather and recycled materials in the seats, with other soft touch materials. I just love the 10” customisable dash with the car information and the infotech screen is great with the integrated satnav, Android Auto and a phone charging mat. The car also now has B mode for better range which is helpful.

What do other people think of your car?

We’ve had a lot of interest from friends, family and neighbours. We have had a lot of people ask about how it works, how it drives and how charging works etc. The whole family loves the car and some are even considering opting for an electric vehicle for their next car.

What do you like most about it?

Just the joy of driving a pure electric vehicle. It’s cheaper to run, better for the environment and it’s fun to drive. It’s nice being the first EV driver in the close as well…

Is there anything you don’t like?

There are a couple of things. Firstly, the pedestrian horn or Zoe noise is a weird sound. It can be disabled and although it’s safer to keep it activated, the sound could definitely be improved.

Also, the rear fog light is too low on the car for pedestrians to see you wanting to reverse.

If you could go back to the time you bought it, would you go for something different?

Not at all. The Zoe fits our budget and it has a good commuting mileage and is a great-looking electric vehicle with history. Overall, it has been really reliable for us.

Read more:
Living with… Our very first electric vehicle, the Renault Zoe

James Bolton shares his thoughts on his Polestar 2 and talks EV Powered through the best and worst parts of the Volvo spin-off.

Tell us about your EV?

I have a 2021 Polestar 2 in thunder grey.

What do you like about the exterior of your car?

I love the 20” alloys and the exterior of the vehicle has a real curb appeal. It has very muscular lines with a powerful stance and, being a crossover, it’s slightly higher than a normal car but doesn’t look like a normal Eurobox. The lights, although they’re Volvo, still look futuristic, especially the rear one that makes you feel a little like Knight Rider in the dark.

What about the inside?

The interior is just right for me as I like a cockpit style with everything to hand. I’m not ready for cars without a dash binnacle just yet and having all the information right in front of me makes it easier in my opinion. The panoramic sunroof is awesome, too.

I also have to say the build quality is fantastic and touchwood as yet having covered over 6000 miles have not had any issues.

What do other people think of your car?

Other people ask me all the time about the car when I stop places and they all seem to love it. I can see other road users staring and often slowing down to have a second look. Kids are always pointing it out to their pals so that feels good, too.

What do you like most about it?

There’s a lot to love about the Polestar 2 but to pin it down to just three points, I’d say the unassuming power it has, the ride comfort and the ease of use with Google Assistant.

Is there anything you don’t like?

There are a few, tiny things that grate me, silly things like storage and the cup holder situation but I can live with them.

If you could go back to the time you bought it, would you go for something different?

I’m happy with my car and my choice, I’m part of a small group and that feels special.

Read more:
Living with… The exclusive and explosive Polestar 2

Shane Grobler talks to EV Powered about his very first electric vehicle. the Peugeot E-2008 GT, and why it ticks all the boxes for him.

Tell us about your EV?

I drive the 2020 version of the Peugeot E-2008 GT.

What do you like about the exterior of your car?

The new Peugeot 2008 design has a much more visual impact than its predecessor. I have never been a fan of the previous model’s shape but the new version has a more aggressive look and the claw-like lights give it a mean-looking stance. I certainly feel it stands out from the average-looking SUV.

What about the inside?

The interior is stylish and futuristic. I’m a big fan of in-car tech and the E-2008 has loads of it.  The i-Cockpit has a range of customisable layouts and all the information really stands out, making it easy to see important information at a glance.

I have seen some people complain about space inside the E-2000 GT, however, I’m 6ft3 and fit comfortably with no space issues. The centre console screen is easy enough to use, and although some may say it’s maybe not as high tech as a BMW or Mercedes, it has everything I need and the integration with Apple CarPlay works seamlessly.

What do other people think of your car?

I’ve had the typical first comments – “It must be really slow,” “the range is terrible” etc, all of which have come from people who have never driven an electric vehicle.

I have taken a few friends for a drive and after experiencing the instant power on acceleration, I think I may have changed a few minds. Yes, the range isn’t great but no electric vehicle in this price bracket is able to achieve over 300 miles on a charge. However, as the infrastructure is getting better, I suspect range anxiety will become less of an issue for most. All in all, most of the comments I have received are that it’s a great looking car and that it drives brilliantly. Most people are impressed with it.

What do you like most about it?

Being able to just charge up overnight and be ready to go in the morning. The preheat function is great which means I never have to get into a cold, icy car. Overall, I just really like the drive and performance of an electric vehicle.

Is there anything you don’t like?

Not at the moment. I’ve only had this car for six months but so far, so good!

If you could go back to the time you bought it, would you go for something different?

This is my first one so I don’t have any other to compare it to, but I really like the Peugeot E-2008 GT and so no, I wouldn’t go for something different just yet.

Read more:
Living with… The powerful and punchy Peugeot E-2008 GT

Jamie Walkinshaw, an ‘EV Guru’ from the EV Experience Centre in Milton Keynes, talks to EV Powered about his Tesla Model 3 and what makes it so special.

Tell us about your EV?

I drive a 2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, the final revision before the 2021 refresh. A remarkably short-run batch that switched all internal USBs to USB-c, and included wireless charging for the first time.

What do you like about the exterior of your car?

The exterior of the Model 3 is what first drew me to it, as the body styling captured everything I liked about my previous ICE saloons but with Tesla’s trademark minimalism. I would also be remiss if I did not mention my Model 3 is Tesla’s range-topping Multi-Coat Red, standing out among it’s far more ordinary peers. The featureless nose on the 3 results in it looking like an imaginary Porsche competitor to the Mercedes C-class.

What about the inside?

The internal design appealed to the ex-BMW i3 owner in me, as someone that doesn’t enjoy having a road atlas to navigate my dashboard, the Model 3’s layout (or lack thereof) is a welcome breath of fresh air. I also adore the Wonka Elevator-esque glasshouse that the Model 3 houses you in, meaning that the interior never feels cramped or dark, making it feel as though I have double the space to play with.

The movement of all relevant information to the centre screen also helps with the airy feeling of the cabin, meaning that your view beyond the steering wheel is nothing but road, which while this adds to the beauty of driving, it also makes parking a doddle!

What do other people think of your car?

The cliche response everyone gives to experiencing a Tesla for the first time is their look of wonder, confusion, and then inevitably the question “is this the fast one?” I have yet to be met with a negative response to my Model 3, apart from that it is not entirely friendly to those over 6ft tall! Something I have rapidly come to realise however is that the Model 3 is far from intuitive! It has become something of a rite of passage for passengers to figure out the door handles before being able to enter, and the fun doesn’t stop there. With the Model 3’s absence of interior door handles most first-timers will find themselves trapped until they inevitably find their way to the exit buttons, often finding the emergency exit latch long before the intended one!

What do you like most about it?

My favourite thing about my Model 3 is how confident I feel when driving it. With all-wheel-drive electric traction control, it has handled weather that would stimy any other vehicle I have driven, couple that together with its instant (and slightly excessive) power, and you get a machine that does it all: Transports you and your loved ones from A to B in utmost comfort, with the power to take any emerge/roundabout gap with ease, while also allowing you to cut loose on the weekend like it’s a sports car half it’s size.

Is there anything you don’t like?

Aside from buying it 3 months before the model refresh!? My only dislike is the wheels, in that there genuinely seem to be zero attractive options. The 19″ alloys are a silvered ordinary, while the 18″ Aero Wheels issued as standard are currently occupying a begrudging ‘it’ll do’ space in my mind until the funds are available to move to something a little more adventurous.

If you could go back to the time, you bought it, would you go for something different?

Absolutely not. I suppose my only regret is not waiting for the refresh, but who was to know?

While there is an infinite number of ICE vehicles I could have stepped into that could race harder, or allow for more space/adventurous interiors, there is nothing on the market that offers the package that the Model 3 does. I would be choosing a ‘racey’ two-door space-less coupe, or a wafty executive saloon, buying a Tesla allows you to say: “Why choose?”

Read more:
Living with…The truly tremendous Tesla Model 3 Long Range

Phil Jones, the UK managing director of electronics firm Brother, shares his experience with the company’s promotional BMW i8.

Tell us about your EV?

It’s a 2018 BMW i8 which we acquired to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the business. The intent was to use it to take around our dealer network as well as exhibitions and trade events.

What do you like about the exterior of your car?

I always liked the lines of the i8, particularly the rear wings and butterfly doors but felt it could be accentuated. We did a full wrap of the vehicle in a gold chrome and gloss black which absolutely changed the exterior look of the vehicle for the better.

What about the inside?

I was a little disappointed in the cabin. I’d been a BMW owner for about twenty years and it was like a slightly upgraded 5 series cabin. I thought the designers should have been more adventurous on the inside.

What do other people think of your car?

It did exactly what we thought it would, arrest attention. You can’t take it anywhere without people wanting a picture or a discussion about the wrap or performance of the car. Pre-pandemic there was always someone inside it having a picture taken, which is exactly what we wanted. It’s featured in trade magazines and shows and thousands of images on social media.

What do you like most about it?

Performance wise it’s a very easy car to drive and has great balance. You can potter around in it no problem, yet you also have high performance if you need it. I love the conversations the car starts too.

Is there anything you don’t like?

Cabin and boot space. There isn’t really much room to put anything which makes overnight stays a challenge!

If you could go back to the time you bought it, would you go for something different?

No. We wanted an electric sports car which would be a real head turner and at the time, this was the vehicle which met all of our criteria.

What are Brother’s fleet plans regarding electric cars?

We plan to migrate the fleet over to EV as soon as viable.

We conducted a study only in the last two months to see if we had reached a tipping point to begin that migration, however, the governments withdrawal of the plug-in car grant for vehicles over £35,000 meant we couldn’t make the financials work at this time.

We do expect this to change as manufacturers bring more offerings to market, prices come down and battery ranges increase. It’s being kept under close review.

What does the current fleet consist of currently?

The fleet is around fifty vehicles, mostly of German origin across the three well known Marques.  We currently have three EV’s with the remainder being PHEV.

Read more:
Living with… The picturesque but impractical BMW i8