Apologies that it's been a while since I wrote an update on life with our Renault Zoe, bought on PCP and undergoing the rigours of everyday family life in south-west London.
Since delivery 10 weeks ago it has covered 1000 miles, mostly in the hands of my wife, who traded her eight-year-old Ford C-Max for life on the electric superhighway. Well, as the low mileage suggests, perhaps more of the electric urban highway.
The experience so far has been overwhelmingly positive, the Zoe slotting in to our lives seamlessly. There have been no worries about range, or charging times, or space, or ride quality (all supposed shortcomings), just general joy at the instant torque, silent running and modern high-tech kit list that makes the £150 a month lease with battery a steal.
How so, sceptics may ask? The answer lies in the fact that it suits our needs so perfectly. If we lived in the country, commuted far and wide, didn't have a drive or a second car, it just wouldn't work. But none of those things are an issue, so on we motor - even when the sub-zero temperatures reduce full charge range to an eyebrow raising 55 miles.
Yes, I choked at first, but the point is a 25-mile run is as far as we'll typically do. We just have to charge it more than we expected - but even that is painless, and at roughly two hours to 80% full not remotely inconvenient.
You guessed it, I'm a convert. As I said at the beginning of this series, electric cars aren't for everyone, but if they suit you they really suit you.
Previous Renault Zoe blogs:
Buying a Renault Zoe: the joys of doing something different
Buying a Renault Zoe: My name is Jim Holder and I’ve bought an electric car
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