Our reader would like to replace her old Scénic with an electric model, which will cost much less to use. But when buying, its budget is limited. Here are our ideas and tips for changing vehicles.
Aude’s research
“After a Toyota Corolla which I adored for its reliability and simplicity, I switched to a Scénic, which I also really appreciate. But this vehicle is aging and has exceeded 200,000 km. Gasoline is likely to become even more expensive and I will have expenses.
As I do a lot of kilometers but always with short trips, I tell myself that switching to an electric car would be interesting. I live in a house, I can recharge easily at home.
I’m mainly looking for a reliable and big enough car, but I have a fair budget, that’s why I turned to a second-hand Leaf. But if there are other suggestions, I am at your disposal”.
Automobile-Propre’s choices
The Nissan Leaf, the economical formula
After having had a Corolla and a Scénic, Aude wishes to have a family vehicle. We therefore put aside the electric city cars here. But there is indeed a second-hand electric family vehicle at a low price, the Nissan Leaf. Logic, it is finally the first modern electric vehicle launched, before the Zoé. Nissan therefore had a few years in advance, which makes it possible to find older copies.
There are announcements of the first generation model for less than 10,000 €. It is however with the small battery of the beginnings 24 kWh, attention therefore to the real autonomy, of the order of 100 to 150 km. Between 10,000 and 12,000 €, we have first generation models with a 30 kWh battery, which are already more versatile. The models have an average of 75,000 km on the clock. Be careful though, for fast charging, the Leaf plugs into ChaDeMo, a type of socket that is not available on all charging stations.
But we think it’s better to go for second-generation second-hand cars, which have a 40 kWh battery and a WLTP range of 280 km. Copies are now under €20,000. These models were launched in 2018, so they have the advantage of having a battery always guaranteed. Note that there is a bonus of €1,000 on used cars and that the scrapping bonus is possible.
Read also
How to choose the right used electric car?
The Hyundai Kona
Suffice to say, it’s more expensive! Even with the small 39 kWh battery. It must be said that the offer is quite rare, we feel that the opportunities for this model go quickly (and we find even fewer Kia e-Niro). The Kona has the advantage of being spacious and having low fuel consumption. There are models at just over 20,000 €.
It seems out of budget. But then we draw attention to the calculation of this budget. Because with the electric, the “fuel” part will melt. Traveling 100 km will require around €3 for electricity. However, with a thermal block, it will be more like 10/12 €. It is therefore a gain to be taken into account for the total budget to be allocated to the vehicle. Better: it is possible to have free refills, for example with your loyalty card at Carrefour. Free refueling at the gas station, we can dream!
In addition, the maintenance of an electric vehicle is less expensive than a thermal vehicle, with few unpleasant surprises on the engine.
Dare to be new with the MG 4!
Aude has a constrained budget which makes her think logically of a second-hand model. But she explained to us that she could adjust this budget according to the duration of the car and the battery. We then thought of a new vehicle, which allows you to leave with complete peace of mind over the life of the vehicle!
The choice is quickly seen, with the MG 4, a compact, therefore suitable for expected family use. Its price is attractive: 29,990 € in the basic version, but it is well equipped and announces a range in the WLTP mixed cycle of 350 km, which is therefore suitable for the short journeys mentioned by Aude.
And that’s an unaided price. The bonus is €5,000, or even €7,000 for half of the less well-off households. To this can be added the scrapping bonus if the Scénic d’Aude is in the nails of the system (petrol before 2006, diesel before 2011).
Moreover, taking into account the bonus of €7,000, MG puts forward a long-term rental offer of 48 months from €249 per month. So if Aude leaves for a rental formula or a loan over a longer period, she can approach her budget of 200 € per month.
L’alternative : le GPL
It is clear that the supply of reasonably priced electric family models is still limited, especially as demand is driving up prices for second-hand cars. We then tried an alternative solution, LPG. The advantage is to have a liter at €1 instead of €1.80, which helps to lower the fuel budget. In addition, this engine is found on the low-cost family car par excellence, the Dacia Duster. There are first-generation models at €12/13,000, and there are even second-generation models, more modern and comfortable, at €15,000 (with around 75,000 km on the clock).
Need advice when choosing a new vehicle? Automobile-propre journalists are there to answer your questions. Email them to this address:
vosquestions[at]automobile-propre.com
