What’s life really like with an electric car? Two years in a Renault Zoe should provide the answers

My name is Jim Holder and I’ve bought an electric car.

There, I’ve said it. Standing up in front of the autocar.co.uk crowd and saying that feels fairly momentous, because our readers are notoriously divided as to the merits of such vehicles. Some love them, some hate them; please don’t rush to judge me either way.

Anyway, after some earnest shopping around, I’ve laid down a £75 deposit and will lease a Renault Zoe for the next two years.

Both the rational and emotional sides of me couldn’t be happier. Let me explain why.

The Zoe will be mostly driven by my wife, who currently owns a 2007 vintage Ford C-Max powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine. Despite covering just 100 or so miles per week, the stop-start nature of her travels (school clubs, swim teaching at various locations) means she spends £20-£30 at the pumps every seven days. Now, she will charge the Zoe once a week, at a cost of around £5 – so that’s £100 a month back in the bank.

Likewise, there will be no road tax to pay, no MOT test to cover and, because she is self-employed, there are significant tax savings. Servicing should also be £50 a year cheaper – and without, I hope, the anxious wait to find out what has worn out this time. Furthermore, selling the C-Max should also put £3500 in the bank to accrue some interest, while the ‘free’ charger that comes as part of the deal (but which costs £1000 prior to more Renault and government input) is another bonus.

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