A salary sacrifice scheme for second-hand electric vehicles (EVs) has been launched by Octopus Electric Vehicles.
Octopus’ ‘Nearly New’ salary sacrifice offering aims to make EVs more accessible to the mass market.
Drivers are able to access an electric Renault Zoe, Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Mokka-e for roughly £300 a month, including fuel, insurance and maintenance costs.
Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said: “Used cars make up more than four out of five car sales in the UK, and so to reach net zero transport, we need to build a strong second-hand market for electric cars.
Vauxhall-Mokka-eSUV (Image: media.vauxhall.co.uk)
“As with all tech, the early models are expensive but with a growing fleet of second hand cars, you can now run one of these high tech, green, fun cars for half the price of an old school gas guzzler.”
All of the cars on offer are less than two years old and have been fully serviced.
“Leasing for EVs is an attractive option for people looking to go electric, allowing drivers to switch to the latest tech every few years and take advantage of low fuel costs,” continued Howarth.
“Very few of our drivers ever look back, and now going electric is even more affordable, opening it up to more drivers that may not have previously considered it.”
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Small electric cars make a lot of sense for commuting, city life and slashing your running costs. Here, we pick out the best ones to buy in the UK right now
Electric cars have also come a long way since the infamous G-Wiz arrived on the scene, especially when it comes to the most compact EVs on the market today. Thanks largely to big improvements in the package of EVs and the amount of range available from their batteries, carmakers can build more convincing and usable small zero-emissions models.
Plus, since small EVs have smaller batteries on board, charging them up is quick, and you can expect your running costs to be far cheaper than even the most economical small petrol cars. However, electric cars, even ones this size, are still more expensive to buy than their petrol-powered counterparts, so it’s worth considering the purchase price as well as the running costs when you buy.
Peugeot e-208 (Image: Peugeot)
It’s only a matter of time before the gap closes though, with sub-£20,000 EVs on the way from Volkswagen, Cupra and Renault, to name but a few. If you are concerned about cost, you can check out our list of the cheapest electric cars you can buy right now – but you’re here for the best small electric cars, so read on to find out our top picks.
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Peugeot’s boxy, van-based Rifter has proved a hit with active families
The new electric model is available in two trim levels: allure premium and the GT
Have you noticed how van drivers who whizz past you or sit on your tail always seem to look happy and contented?
That’s because vehicle manufacturers know that ‘white van man’, who almost lives in his vehicle and covers exceptionally long distances, needs very comfortable seats, a high driving position, a practical layout with lots of storage and cubby holes, plenty of cargo space, and a good lick of pace.
That’s why Peugeot’s boxy, van-based Rifter has proved such a hit with active families and couples seeking a no-nonsense vehicle that will carry up to seven people, be flexible enough to load up with leisure equipment, and be no slouch on the road.
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Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas wrote in a note to clients on Friday that global EV sales will grow 50% or more next year, while sales of internal combustion engine vehicles are expected to grow 2% to 5%. He also predicted that global EV penetration will rise from 4% to 31% by 2030.
Those predictions may or may not come true, but one thing is certain and that is 2021 is shaping up to be a critical year for EV adoption. Mercedes-Benz just announced its Tuscaloosa plant will build large, electric SUVs starting from 2022 as part of what it calls its electric-vehicle “fireworks display”. Aiming to take the lead in premium EVs from Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA), Mercedes-Benz announced plans to deliver eight new all-electric models starting from early 2022.
But near-term, Europe remains the most fertile EV ground. Stricter emission regulations and government subsidies that make these vehicles much more affordable are speeding up the de-adoption of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Here are six electric vehicles that could bring on the “ICEpocalypse” to European roads.
Volkswagen’s ID.3 And ID.4
Volkswagen’s (Pink: VWAGY) ID3 was the top-selling EV in Europe only one month after being launched. But Europe has been shifting toward larger vehicles, so the ID.4 should grow in popularity quickly and, with its highly competitive price considering the range and specs, it should give the ID.3 a run for its money.
Renault ZOE
ZOE (Pink: RNLSY) has been the top-selling electric vehicle on the continent in most of the last decade. As it continues to improve and range increases, the ZOE should replace the Clio, which sold 230,000 units in Europe during the first 10 months of the year. Although the ZOE, which was the top-selling EV in Europe until the ID3 came along and took its throne in October, was at 73,403 units, it’s only a matter of time before it reaches 100,000 in European sales per year. But it needs to fend off the competition and grow a backbone.
The improved Renault Zoe has a longer range and posher interior (Image: Renault)
Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y
Tesla’s Model 3 is the top selling EV in the world. In Europe, it is second on the top-selling list. It’s not exactly on track to beat 100,000 sales in 2020, but Tesla is determined to win over Europe considering its ambitious developments at its upcoming Berlin factory. However, it has been ordered again to suspend its preparations due to a successful court injunction by environmentalists. This time round, Tesla was stopped by snakes and lizards. But its Model Y will arrive to Europe eventually and it is probably going to sell considerably better than the Model 3, due to its features and an overall preference for its class of vehicle.
Peugeot e-208
Peugeot’s (Pink: PUGOY) 208 was the 7th best-selling vehicles in the first 10 months of the year. So, while the e-208 had only about 25,000 sales in that time period, it could gradually rise up the rankings as tech improves, range increases, and cost drops in the coming year. It is considered by many as one of the best European EV offerings on the market, a testament to Peugeot’s upswing.
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Seemingly from nowhere, French automaker PSA has assaulted a tardy Volkswagen to deliver what could be the people’s electric car.
Yes, the Renault Zoe and the Nissan Leaf, along with strong EV players from Hyundai and Kia, rule the sub-€40,000 EV roost in Europe, but the 210-year-old Peugeot has surprised the market.
Peugeot e-208 (Image: Peugeot)
PSA has already proven itself well managed to weather the Covid-19 pandemic, with a first half profit of €595 million despite its biggest markets being locked down for months.
And now figures have emerged showing its e-208, the all-electric version of its mass-volume small hatchback, stunning the market in Europe.
The e-208, which is built on the same production lines as the combustion-powered 208 models, achieved orders of 17 percent of Peugeot’s 208 model mix across its 10 biggest European markets in June.
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Peugeot has dived into the electric car market with the excellent e-208 supermini. We check it out in GT trim.
What’s new?
Peugeot has taken the plunge and entered the EV market with two stylish offerings – the e-208 supermini and the e-2008 crossover.
Peugeot e-208 (Image: Peugeot)
The French manufacturer has taken a different route from rivals like Renault and Volkswagen, making the electric version just another option in the range, rather than a specialised vehicle like the Renault Zoe, Nissan Leaf or VW’s forthcoming ID.3.
It’s fair to say this is definitely not tokenism from Peugeot; the e-208 is an excellent car that’s been clearly made with the belief that the day of the zero-emissions car has finally dawned.
It fits brilliantly into the new 208 range and makes a strong statement that not only is Peugeot committed to electrification, but that electric vehicles are actually its very future.
In short, if you’re interested in a smaller electric car, the e-208 should be at the top of your consideration list: it’s stylish, fast, bursting with tech and has an excellent official range of 211 miles – more than enough for most drivers. Should you need juice away from home, it will charge to 80% in half an hour.
Plus, it has Peugeot’s brilliant 3D iCockpit system that brings everything into the driver’s eyeline in a fabulously innovative way.
What does it look like?
Impressive, actually – just like the new 208 in general. It will appeal to a range of buyers, young and old, with or without families.
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Experts are predicting that 2020 will be the year of the electric car as sales continue to rise.
Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the number of battery-electric vehicles registered in November increased by 228.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2018 – with over 4500 new EVs hitting the roads.
So far this year, nearly 14,000 electric cars have been registered in the UK, compared to 38,500 plug-in hybrids and nearly 80,000 hybrids. Mild hybrids have also seen a dramatic increase in popularity, with registrations of mild-hybrid diesels increasing by more than 450 per cent last month.
Peugeot e-208 (Image: Peugeot)
Car manufacturers are rushing to launch new electric cars in a bid to meet new emission targets set by European Union legislators. By 2021, they face strict fines if their average CO2 emissions for each car exceed 95g/km. By selling more electric vehicles (with zero tailpipe emissions) and hybrids (with reduced tailpipe emissions), average CO2 emissions will drop.
Kia recently admitted that it has 3000 customers on a waiting list for the e-Niro – something it says it intends to clear in the first half of 2020, despite previously having to halt orders as it couldn’t keep up with demand.
Volkswagen is set to launch its new electric ID range with the ID.3 hatchback, while the Volkswagen Up, SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo city cars are also going electric-only for 2020. Vauxhall’s new Corsa is available as a pure-electric model, as is the closely-related Peugeot 208.
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Peugeot’s first-ever electric car will have a range of up to 211 miles and start from £25,050
Prices have been revealed for the new Peugeot e-208, the brand’s first electric car. It’ll start from £25,050 (after the Government’s £3,500 plug-in car grant), which is around £1,500 less than the Vauxhall Corsa-e but slightly more than the Renault ZOE. First deliveries will take place in early 2020.
Peugeot is offering the e-208 in the same trim levels as the petrol and diesel versions, to help normalise electric cars. All versions feature active safety braking with pedestrian detection, heated door mirrors and LED daytime running lights. The e-208 also features cabin pre-heating and automatic air conditioning but the entry-level Active does miss out on the alloy wheels that come with petrol and diesel models.
Peugeot e-208 (Image: Peugeot)
Moving up from Active (from £25,050) to Allure (£26,250) brings a lot more equipment, including alloy wheels, leather-effect seats, Peugeot’s i-Cockpit system, a head-up display and LED rear lights. GT Line starts from £28,100 and features front and rear parking assistance, ambient lighting, night-time automatic emergency braking, full LED headlights and styling upgrades. The e-208 is also available in GT trim level for £29,650, which emphasises its range-topping status with equipment like automated parking assistance, semi-autonomous driving capability, heated front seats, sat nav and a 10-inch touchscreen.
While it’s priced similarly to other electric cars, the e-208 is much more expensive than the petrol and diesel versions of the new Peugeot 208, which cost between £16,250 and £22,200 depending on engine and spec. The Vauxhall Corsa-e, which shares the e-208’s underpinnings, can be had for £270 per month after a £5,550 deposit, so it’s likely that Peugeot will offer a similar PCP finance deal.
Peugeot hopes to draw buyers to the brand’s first mass-market full-electric vehicle — the e-208 — with a long-term battery warranty and lease rates that are comparable to internal combustion versions.
The favorable terms are part of Peugeot’s ambitions to have the e-208 account for 15 percent of its new small hatchback’s global volume.
Last year, Peugeot sold about 230,000 208s in Europe and 295,000 globally. Europe is expected to be the No. 1 market for the EV, which goes on sale at the end of 2019 (gasoline and diesel versions of the new-generation 208 will go on sale this spring). IHS Markit forecasts that Peugeot will produce about 350,000 208s in 2020, with the e-208 making up a significant portion of that extra volume.
Peugeot e-208 (Image: Peugeot)
Sales prices for the 208 will be announced this spring, but Peugeot is already promoting a 48-month, 60,000-km, 299 euro-a-month lease for the e-208, with a down payment of 2,400 euros. The company says the terms compare favorably to gasoline versions (269 euros a month) and diesel versions (289 euros a month) of the 208 when the cost of fuel is taken into consideration.
“When you add usage costs, the electric version is actually less expensive,” Sylvain Chereau, Peugeot’s EV director, told Automotive News Europe. “TCO (total cost of ownership) is the central message to our customers.” Volkswagen is promoting a similar plan for its ID range of electric vehicles, with the first model expected to go on sale in 2020.
Peugeot e-208 to be another great EV after the Tesla Model 3 available in the UK
Peugeot has opened reservations for the all-new 208 and its electric version e-208 in the UK. The French subcompact EV can be reserved online with a £500 deposit.
Orders will be taken from late summer, while deliveries in the UK are expected in early 2020.
Peugeot e-208 (Image: Peugeot)
General sales in Europe should start later this year, starting from France of course, where e-208 needs to stand up against the Renault ZOE.
“Following unprecedented levels of interest from customers and prospects alike captivated by the freedom to choose a powertrain without having to compromise on technology, looks, or driving pleasure, reservations for the all-new PEUGEOT 208 have now opened, with customers able to reserve online with a £500 deposit, all from the comfort of their own home.
Eager buyers can place a deposit on the GT Line PureTech 100 S&S 8-speed automatic (EAT8), BlueHDi 100 6-speed manual or the 100% electric e-208 model. Actual orders for the all-new PEUGEOT 208 range can be placed from late summer 2019, with the car going on UK sale in early 2020.”
