Tim Nicholls drives a Citroën E-C4 Shine 50kWh 2021.

This is Tim’s first electric car, he’s owned the Citroën E-C4 1-2 years and drives 5,000-10,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 5,000-10,000 miles and he achieves 190 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the Citroën E-C4?

Great style and comfort. Excellent value for money especially as a heat pump is standard. Easy to drive and simple regen. Heads up display. Reasonable sized boot and excellent storage up front. Good acceleration even in Eco. Pretty decent tech for the money.

Are you seriously considering your first or next EV? Then visit Electric Road’s CAR FINDER to get the right car for you!

Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car

• Great value
• different style
• superbly comfortable
• good acceleration even in Eco
• simple & effective single regen
• reasonable sized boot for size
• good tech controls with real buttons
• a lot of tech for the money
• heat pump is standard
• excellent air conditioning.

Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car

• Range could be better
• heating non-existent in Eco mode
• no over the air updates (have to get done manually, often by dealer)
• my early car has no battery percentage except when charging (later cars do)
• range remaining a bit inaccurate
• telephone dialling a bit laborious but realise its multi-lingual
• found voice dialling easier
• driving in ‘Normal’ gobbles range as does exceeding 56mph.

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

On delivery, one rear door wouldn’t open from the inside. This was quickly rectified by the dealer. Occasional software hiccups including not charging correctly but all was rectified by dealers at no charge.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

Heat pump as standard, voice commands work well with plenty of driving safety choices. Rain sensitive wipers and auto dimming headlights. Speed limiter control is semi-automatic and is much better than on other far more expensive cars. Rear view and 360 view cameras, side sensors so you avoid hitting the kerb, front sensors too. Navigation shows where there are charging points and where traffic congestion is, ambience lighting, ‘get you home’ headlight delay & a heated steering wheel which is an economical way to heat the car.

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

There is a slide out drawer for your tablet and cradle for your phone. The heat pump too!

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

• Renault Megane E-Tech Techno – beautiful style, great technology & a bigger boot. Comfortable and really speedy. Multi-choice regen and I like the drive lever on the steering wheel. Heating excellent compared to mine.
• Citroën E-C4 X – larger boot and more room in the back
• Potentially the new Hyundai Kona Electric which has just been announced. Much more interesting styling than the old one or indeed than the KIA Niro EV. It has a much bigger boot size now. More up-to-date tech too.

Do you charge your electric car from home?

No

Do you use public charging networks?

Yes

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

On long journeys, GRIDSERVE are simple to use and reasonably priced. Locally, I use bp (it’s better to be registered with them through their app) and if out of use (extremely rare) I use Osprey which is very good but expensive.

Yes, I’ve had to queue on the motorway in summer but it can be quite social while you are waiting. At the local one I rely on the bp app to tell me if it’s available. Zap-Map isn’t bad but if drivers don’t log on it’s not accurate. If the bp machine decides to be silly (it’s heavily used, especially by travellers passing through) bp customer services are good. They take charge of the machine and it is soon working again.

I think there is an unwritten rule between EV drivers not to push in front. I did have one instance of a guy with an MG4 EV who tried to push in front and connect his car whilst I was on the phone to bp to sort out an anomaly. The machine completely stopped, BP basically told him to desist immediately!

Insurer – outline both positive & negative elements

Saga – very simple to get a quote. They specialise in EVs and are cheaper than say, Direct Line.

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running an electric car

Charging is cheaper than diesel by a huge margin, particularly when fuel prices rose. Lease is £100 p/m cheaper than PCP on my last car (a Peugeot 3008) and I don’t have to worry about the trade in value either. No road tax. My first service was just £70. An enormous saving from a combustion car.

See other owner reviews here