Glen currently runs a Renault Zoe ZE50 Iconic 2021.
Glen has owned the Zoe for 12 months and does approx. 7,000-8,000 miles annually. The Zoe is Glen’s first electric car and he’s already done 7,400+ miles at the time of writing.
What was the last ICE car you owned?
Citroen C3
What got you into an EV in the first place?
We considered a Renault Captur when our PCP finished on the C3, however, with further increasing prices and environmental issues we decided to test drive the Zoe. The joy of driving a car with no emissions and the fact it would work out cheaper than our current petrol vehicle was a no brainer. We ordered one soon after the test drive. I had been doing some research on the Zoe beforehand so I had an idea what we were getting into with charging, servicing and the car specification.
Initially, what did you find most confusing about EV ownership and how did you solve that?
There was no confusion, it’s pretty simple, charge from home, keep the battery topped up just in case I needed to use the 245 mile range. I set up Pod Point and various other apps on my phone for charging out and about. YouTube vloggers such as Emma Jackman was great to watch in the learning days!
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What sources of information helped you e.g. people, groups, websites etc?
Living with a Renault Zoe by Emma Jackson, Renault’s own self-help videos & Zap-Map. Pod Point apps are good, however not always accurate!
What events would you recommend?
Try and get to as many local & national meet ups to share best practice and experiences and meet new friends.
What needs to happen to get more people driving an EV?
Has to be an improved charging infrastructure. Charging from home is not a problem, the issue is if you have to travel outside your vehicle range. The adverts on TV do not show the reality; recently on my trip to Cornwall, 2 in 3 charging stations were faulty. There are great things happening i.e. Gridserve charging stations etc. but I live in Newton Abbot, Devon and there is ONE public charger in the whole town! Also, the confusion about how to access the chargers i.e. app, phone, RFID card etc just needs simplifying. You have to plan your journey with some detail to avoid frustration and delays.
Who is your EV hero/guru and why?
Has to be Emma Jackson, bless her soul!
What are your top 3 pieces of advice for those people considering their first EV?
1. How you plan to use it is crucial
2. Consider range and charging over looks and spec
3. Get a good home charger with a competitive night-time tariff
4. Don’t be afraid of the long journeys, plan them well and enjoy the trip!
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