KILOWATT HALF HOUR | EPISODE 11: THE MOST EXPENSIVE SEATBELTS IN THE WORLD

EV Channels Review

This episode of Kilowatt Half Hour delves into the practicalities and curiosities of EV ownership. The team discusses the potential departure of a beloved Nissan Leaf due to range limitations and increasing service costs, highlighting common pain points for long-term EV owners. A significant portion is dedicated to the surprising affordability of certain EVs on lease deals, with the Ora Funky Cat, Vauxhall Corsa Electric, Citroen e-C4, and Peugeot e-208 all mentioned as sub-£200/month options, challenging initial perceptions of their value. Nicola shares her experience driving the new Peugeot e-208 in Barcelona, praising its styling and features, though noting its premium price point for the top-spec model and a debate over its 'yellow' paint color. The discussion touches on efficiency figures, with Nicola's spirited driving resulting in a lower-than-expected 3 miles/kWh, prompting a need for UK testing. Mike recounts an expensive week of running costs for his BMW i3, including a significant insurance hike and a road tax penalty attributed to optional blue seatbelts pushing the car's list price over £40,000, leading to a £2,500 extra cost over five years. Tom shares a nail-biting experience driving his Toyota bZ4X to just 2% battery, emphasizing the reliance on public charging infrastructure. The episode also briefly touches on the BYD Seal's market positioning and potential future BYD models in the UK, as well as early impressions of the Fisker Ocean. Finally, the team addresses listener feedback on the Kia Niro EV, defending it against claims of being boring and highlighting its lower 'bong' count compared to the Hyundai Kona, while also noting the significant impact of cold weather on range without a heat pump.