Max B drives a Volkswagen e-up! (First Edition) 2014 electric car.

This is Max’s first electric car, he’s owned the e-up! between 4-5 years and drives between 5,000-10,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 60,000-70,000 miles and he achieves 80 miles range from a full charge.

Rate your e-up! out of 5.

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Why did you choose the e-up!?

When I bought this, my first EV back in 2019, I knew very little about electric cars. I had an alert set up on eBay that would tell me if any cheap EVs popped up. I was already happily driving a petrol VW Up! When the e-up! surfaced I bid £6,500 on it and won!

Positives 

• Fantastically efficient
• Very fun go-kart like handling
• I love the styling.

Negatives 

• Limited range
• Antiquated entertainment
• Alloys easily damaged.

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

Just a new 12v battery at 55k miles.

What are the standout tech features of your e-up!?

It really isn’t a techy car. It has analogue dials and a traditional handbrake! Part of its charm I guess!

Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car.

The V1 had e-Sound only as an optional extra. Mine doesn’t have it so I fitted a wireless doorbell to assist when driving through quiet streets. Previously, I had to wind down the windows and cough politely to shift pedestrians.

What electric car are you interested in next and why?

I’d like the 2020 e-up! Same car, better infotainment and double the range.

What home charging unit do you use? Would you recommend it to others and why?

Pod Point – very basic unit but has worked well for four years and last year, scheduled charging via the app was added.

Rate your home charging unit out of 5.

What home electricity supplier & tariff do you use? Would you recommend it to others and why?

Octopus Go – because it’s pretty much the go-to tariff for EV drivers!

Rate your electricity supplier out of 5.

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

Gridserve – simple and reliable but sadly massively oversubscribed.

List your top 3 favourite public charging networks (in order of preference).

• Gridserve
• Pod Point
• Osprey.

Who do you insure your electric car with? Would you recommend them to others and why?

Direct Line – they’ve always beaten other quotes.

Rate your insurance provider out of 5.

Estimate how much money you save per month owning and running an electric car compared to a petrol/diesel car.

£100.

See other Volkswagen e-up! Owner Reviews here