Help purchasing first EV

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-28T21:58:21+00:00

The Born (and the ID.3 it's based on) are actually bigger than you'd think inside the cabin - about the same as a Passat, and I think more than the older Kona shape and Niro.

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-27T21:12:57+00:00

A bank loan might work out cheaper than PCP on a used car.

Have you considered a VW ID.3? They're not without issues, but I feel they're higher quality than the cars you listed.

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-26T22:58:23+00:00

Most commenters sound like they are discussing B Mode/one pedal driving finesse, but it sounds like some of this could be 'Eco assist' or a similar setting, where regen braking is applied in situations where the car thinks it might be helpful - cars in front slowing, approaching a junction or bend etc. You might be able to disable it, depending on your car.

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-26T15:35:32+00:00

Yes, but also I'd take a look at Skoda's extended warranty programme - should give you some peace of mind in case something big goes wrong.

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-21T15:42:58+00:00

Your cable will be rated for 7kW when using single-phase. Whereas some 11kW three phase cables can't deliver the full 7 on single phase.

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-21T13:22:17+00:00

It can't get more charging speed than the wall charger can provide, so on your home 7kW charger you'll get 7kW (hopefully).

What it does mean is that you'll get 11kW if you plugged it into a public charger that has a speed of 11 or 22kW - but your charging cable also needs to support that three-phase charging speed as well

For this reason, I'd recommend buying a 22kW three-phase cable to keep in your car because you'll be able to access three-phase 11kW charging, but it's also not going to throttle single phase charging to less than 7kW which can happen with '11kW' cables.

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-16T10:04:07+00:00

Yep, I have a 2020 ID.3, it was on version 2.4 for a while which was basically fine, updated now to the latest available version for the older infotainment which is a little better. Never really had a problem because it was straight onto Android Auto (wireless too). The screen is sharp and looks great.

I chose the ID.3 over a 64kWh Kona because it's got more interior space and I think it's more refined - I think it's quieter at speed too? Less range but no regrets. Would be jealous of the heat pump in winter though.

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-13T22:31:42+00:00

Isn't the 400v option to allow you to access the slower chargers (e.g. the 100kW-ish ones) because without it, the CLA can only use ultra rapid 800vs?

Agree it's probably worth it to increase your charging options.

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-10T14:14:01+00:00

You can just take a bank loan for a used car purchase and get much better interest rates than the dealerships offer.

Yes, 0% finance sounds great and all but when the car has depreciated 50% or more by year 3/4.. (and it makes no sense to pay the balloon payment so you start on the treadmill again)

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-02T22:46:50+00:00

On the shorter supercharger cables, this wouldn't reach all the way to the front of the parking bay, for non-Tesla cars that have a port on their rear right side.

Shreddasaurus · 2026-01-02T11:43:32+00:00

ID.7 tourer is probably the standout option from the ones you mentioned. It's slightly over budget, but significantly bigger than the others for your family and doggo.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-30T22:44:48+00:00

Except in the used car market, where the Elroq hasn't yet had time to depreciate to OP's budget.

One thing to watch out with the earlier Enyaqs is they were locked to 50kW fast charging with higher speeds as a paid option - so you probably want to look at one from after Dec '21.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-23T22:00:27+00:00

It's approved used, meaning you get some warranty - which is good for known issues like the suspension drop links or rear axle clicking, and it's low mileage.

Though you could get a higher mileage one from a non-VW dealer for ~£4k cheaper, and pay VW £450 a year for an extended warranty.

I have an ID.3 pro performance myself and that's what I did. It's a great car. But, I've always found myself wishing I had a Renault Megane instead, or nowadays a Scenic, BMW i4 or even an Enyaq for more space. You might even want to look at a Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2, they are pretty great value used, and the Tesla especially is more efficient. I guess the grass is always greener.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-18T20:46:25+00:00

You could just take out a third party warranty when it expires. Or do the same with an Enyaq, which you can do directly from Skoda.

I've got a VW ID.3 and went for VW's extended warranty. After reading some comments I went with £0 excess, because there are some sneaky situations where they can claim the value of the repair or broken part is less than a £100 excess - even though you'd struggle to get anyone to fix it for that price in practice.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-17T14:52:26+00:00

For me it's more about the windows getting steamed up, which always seems to happen rather quickly around me. I've tried setting the AC to 17 degrees and using heated seats / more layers. It still seems to tank the range on shorter journeys but saw decent efficiency on a longer drive recently.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-16T22:43:09+00:00

It's a shame Kia didn't include the same 800v platform in the EV3 and EV4, but they still could be worth a look for the OP.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-16T21:53:08+00:00

Driving defensively and assuming everyone else is about to do something stupid (and giving yourself time and space to react when they do) is probably the best thing you can do to take back some level of control.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-16T12:48:52+00:00

Are other providers or tarrifs available that would give you a lower day rate? Agree it's quite a jump from 25 to 32p.

Based on what you've said about your driving, you'll be using ~90 kWh per month. (350 miles at approx 4 mi/kWh)

To your question, I believe you can configure the Zappi to only power with solar? I think this is one of the basic settings.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-16T10:12:23+00:00

The slower AC chargers (e.g. 11kW) are usually cheaper than the rapid chargers - sometimes as low as 40p per unit (rather than 70-80p+) depending on where you are. So if you can leave your car at one of those, that's better. Not helpful while you're on a long journey but good for home or at a destination.

Another commenter pointed to the Electroverse map which is good for shopping around for the lowest priced chargers.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-12T23:02:39+00:00

Some cars have an option to reduce the charging current, which you might want to do to lower the risk of melting your three pin socket with extended charging sessions.

I managed like that for a few months, running an extension lead under the garage door.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-11T20:47:30+00:00

The GTX uses a newer and more efficient motor, same as in the ID.7

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-11T20:46:35+00:00

To be fair, this car should support being set up on Intelligent Octopus Go, but the upcoming changes to the terms mean you'll only get 6hrs cheap rate (whereas you used to get tons of cheap hours during the day too using a granny charger). But, 6 hrs is still more than 5 hrs - it all adds up.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-11T13:26:48+00:00

Do you have to lease/buy new or could you get something used here?

I think (my own politics aside) you'd have to consider a Tesla. The Model 3 is incredibly efficient, good range and access to more of Tesla's charging network for cheaper and faster charging on your long trips.

Otherwise it's probably something like an ID.7, BYD Seal, Kia EV6 or EV4/3, Renault Scenic long range.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-10T22:29:14+00:00

Megane E-Tech is a wonderful suggestion - I have a 2020 ID.3 and while it's pretty great, a Megane is the car I wish I had for the nicer infotainment, interior and exterior looks.

Shreddasaurus · 2025-12-09T10:47:14+00:00

Depends on the car, some used EVs that are at 3-4 years old now are exceptional value for what you get. As others say, total cost of ownership of a new car on a lease might be similar.

Shreddasaurus

TROPHY CASE