Steve drives an MG ZS EV 45kWh 2020.
This is Steve’s second electric car, he’s owned the MG ZS EV 3-4 years and drives under 5,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 10,000-20,000 miles and he achieves 170 miles from a full charge.
Why did you choose the MG ZS EV?
- Better drive
- smoother and more relaxing, in my mind
- if I need a quick burst of acceleration it’s there!
- much cheaper to run too
- I know I’m doing a little for the environment!
- I have solar and home batteries and this mean I can run my car on 100% clean energy from mid-Spring to mid-Autumn and on cheap a rate green tariff electric in the winter
- I’ve owned two EVs and a family member also owns one and they’ve never had a problem with the ‘EV’ side of the car, just CAR problems.
Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car
- Seats are comfortable
- the sunroof is great
- it’s got a big boot for it’s size.
Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car
- Charging flap in the wrong place
- no battery percentage indicator
- info screen is clunky.
Compared to when you first bought the car, does your battery still charge at the same rate & do you still get the same range?
Yes
Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?
Power steering fault (not EV-related and under warranty). It took two months to sort sadly because of a part shortage after Covid. That was over a year ago now and all has been well since and never had any problems.
What are the standout technological features of the car?
- Regen
- I hardly use the brakes
- the motor is quite and smooth.
Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car
There is room for a ‘Frunk’ but MG missed a trick here so I made one myself. I keep the charging cables in there.
What’s the biggest or funniest myth you’ve heard about EVs?
- Mining cobalt – Cobalt is being used less and less in EVs and looks like it will end up to be 0%. Most ICE drivers don’t even realise that cobalt is used to refine oil.
- EVs are still dirty because of the power they take from the grid – this is true to a point, but the grid is the greenest it’s EVER been and is only getting greener. If you’re lucky enough to be able to have solar you can be 100% green.
- The grid can’t cope if everyone plugs in! – because EVERYONE is going to plug in at the VERY same time? As the tech rapidly improves and the uptake increases the grid has said that EVs can only help with balancing the grid.
- The battery only lasts 5 years and then it goes to landfill because it can’t be recycled – EV batteries have many uses after they are removed from cars such as home or office storage. MANY parts can be recycled after that.
- ALL EVs catch fire! – do ICE cars never catch fire?
What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?
Hyundai IONIQ 5 will be my next car. I lease my car and my lease is up. I test drove a load of cars and did my sums and the IONIQ 5 is the one for me this time.
Home charging unit – outline both positive & negative elements
myenergi zappi – plug-in, go to bed & wake to a full charge. It can divert solar to my car and it works with smart tariffs. It also looks good on the wall.
I find the charger can be a bit tech-heavy – too many menus to go through sometimes and every now and again it fails but this is only now & then.
Electricity supplier & tariff – outline both positive & negative elements
Octopus – they seem to me to be very helpful and selling tariffs that are right for me also! I have no negatives!
Do you use public charging networks?
No
Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running an MG ZS EV
I’d rather not go into details but I save a tonne load on ‘fuel’, tax & servicing.
See other MG ZS EV Owner Reviews here
