Episode 97: Will electricity prices go up & how far does the iX3 go in the real-world?
About this episode
The discussion covers a wide range of EV topics including Tom's detailed leasing journey for a Mini Cooper Born, Vicky's positive real-world experience with the BMW iX3 and its impressive range, and insights into the luxurious Mercedes VLE van. They also explore rising electricity prices affecting EV tariffs, the debate over ZEV mandates and industry challenges, and platform sharing among car brands. Listeners' comments on sliding rear seats, retro EV designs, and brand differentiation add depth. The episode blends practical buying advice, industry news, and listener engagement with a light, conversational tone.
Ginny, Tom and Vicky are back with another episode of the Kilowatt Half Hour, diving into the world of EVs with their usual mix of insight and inane banter. This week: spreadsheets (yes, really), conferences and rising fuel and energy prices—plus why electric driving still stacks up.
There’s talk of real-world range in the BMW iX3, a new “Barnard’s Bargain”, and reactions from the ZEV conference. As always, your comments and questions spark debates on everything from efficiency and sliding rear seats to retro design and platform sharing.
It’s informative, irreverent and more entertaining than it has any right to be. ⚡
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nissan Leaf
"So my wife got a new job so she needed a new car to finally replace the leaf that we had for 10 years or something."
The Renault Leaf is an electric car that runs on batteries instead of gas. It's one of the first popular electric cars that many people use for everyday driving.
The Renault Leaf is a pioneering electric vehicle (EV) that has been widely popular as an affordable and practical electric car since its introduction. It is known for its role in making electric mobility accessible to a broad audience.
leasing
"And we had a I wanted to lease because I knew that was the most sensible way of doing it and much cheaper than the other ways."
Leasing a car means you pay money every month to use it for a few years, but you don't own it at the end. It's like renting a car for a long time.
Leasing is a method of acquiring a car by paying monthly fees to use the vehicle for a set period, typically with lower upfront costs than buying. It often includes mileage limits and requires returning the car at lease end.
Alpine A290
"... And the first car we came up with was an Alpine A290 because an Alpine A290 was actually cheaper than ..."
The Alpine A290 is an old French sports car that was light and fast. It was cheaper than some other sports cars when it was new.
The Alpine A290 is a historic lightweight sports car from the French brand Alpine, celebrated for its racing heritage and affordability compared to other sports cars of its time. It is often mentioned in discussions about classic and affordable performance cars.
5 Renault 5
"... Alpine A290 was actually cheaper than a top spec Renault 5. And she wanted the top spec one because of heat..."
The 5 E-Tech Electric is a new electric car made by Renault that looks like an old Renault 5. It runs on batteries instead of petrol.
The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is a modern electric reinterpretation of the classic Renault 5, offering advanced electric powertrain technology and retro-inspired design. It is notable for combining nostalgic styling with contemporary electric mobility.
heated seats
"And she wanted the top spec one because of heated seats. So it was cheaper to have the Alpine that must have that."
Heated seats are car seats that can get warm to keep you cozy when it's cold outside.
Heated seats are a comfort feature in cars that use electrical heating elements embedded in the seats to provide warmth to occupants, especially useful in cold climates.
servicing requirements
"So then I did a little bit of research because I was ready to press the button on the Alpine and you have to have it serviced an Alpine dealer. You can't have it serviced a Renault dealer."
Servicing requirements are rules about where and how you have to take your car for check-ups and repairs to keep it working well.
Servicing requirements refer to the maintenance rules set by manufacturers or dealers, such as where a car must be serviced to maintain warranty or performance. Some brands require servicing at specific dealerships.
real world range
""More importantly, real world range. So I've been doing lots of different kinds of driving. I did a big long journey last week. And I'm getting about 370-ish real world miles out of it on fairly steady motorway journeys.""
Real world range means how far an electric car can really go on one battery charge when you drive it normally, not just what the numbers say on paper.
Real world range refers to the actual distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge under typical driving conditions, which often differs from the manufacturer's estimated range due to factors like driving style, weather, and accessory use.
efficiency mode
""But I'm not using efficiency mode. I'm just tootling around with the air con on. I like a massage seat. So I'm not really making any huge efforts to really get the best efficiency.""
Efficiency mode is a special setting in electric cars that helps save battery power so the car can go farther before needing to recharge.
Efficiency mode is a driving setting in many electric vehicles that optimizes power consumption by adjusting throttle response, climate control, and other systems to maximize driving range.
BMW iX3
"But I mean, I love the iX3 and I think it's going to sell so well. It's great value for money for what you're getting in many respects."
The BMW iX3 is a fully electric SUV, meaning it runs only on electricity and doesn’t use gas. It’s made by BMW and is designed to be fun to drive while being environmentally friendly.
The BMW iX3 is an all-electric SUV from BMW, representing their approach to electric mobility with a focus on combining BMW's driving dynamics with electric powertrain technology.
long term test
"We're going to get one in as a long term test. And I really want to try and get 500 miles out of it."
A long term test means using a car for a long time to see how it works in everyday life, not just for a quick drive.
A long term test involves using a vehicle over an extended period to evaluate its performance, reliability, and real-world usability beyond initial impressions or short test drives.
rapid charge
"This now means that all of these people who can't charge at home, you know, you could put you could rapid charge your car once every couple of weeks now and be running around on that kind of range."
Rapid charging means plugging in your electric car to a special charger that fills up the battery really fast, so you don't have to wait long to keep driving.
Rapid charging refers to high-power electric vehicle charging that can replenish the battery much faster than standard charging, typically using DC fast chargers. It allows EV drivers to quickly add significant range during short stops.
self parking tech
"And Vicky, you'll be pleased to hear it has some clever self parking tech because I know how much you love that because you struggle with parking. I do not struggle with parking. I will not have this said publicly."
Self parking tech helps the car park itself. The car uses cameras and sensors to find a parking spot and can steer into it without the driver doing much work.
Self parking technology refers to systems in modern cars that assist or fully automate the parking process. These systems use sensors and cameras to detect parking spaces and steer the car into the spot with minimal or no driver input, making parking easier and safer.
self-driving car
"And I hate the sensation of the car driving itself, sitting in the driving seat and having the wheel spinning itself as the car goes into it. Honestly, it makes me shiver. I hate it, but I sort of had to restrain myself and let the car do its thing. And it was impressive."
A self-driving car is a car that can drive itself without you needing to steer or control it. It uses special technology to see the road and decide what to do.
A self-driving car is a vehicle equipped with technology that allows it to navigate and operate without human input. These cars use sensors, cameras, and software to control steering, acceleration, and braking autonomously.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
"Am I the only one that I don't get the passenger screen thing that seems to be in everything like the CLA, not just Mercedes, but all all cars."
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a small luxury car that has fancy features like screens for passengers to use while riding.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a compact luxury sedan known for its stylish design and advanced technology features, including modern infotainment systems with passenger screens.
ZEV mandate
"And they were saying that they felt like the ZEV mandate, which if you don't know what the ZEV mandate is, the ZEV mandate is basically targets that have been put in place that car makers have to make around selling electric vehicles. So it basically is percentages of their overall sales and it ramps up every year. So they were saying the ZEV mandate, they think needs to be looked at, needs to be consulted on."
The ZEV mandate is a rule that says car companies have to sell more electric cars every year to help reduce pollution and protect the environment.
The ZEV mandate (Zero Emission Vehicle mandate) is a regulatory requirement that car manufacturers must sell a certain percentage of electric or zero-emission vehicles each year. The target percentage increases over time to encourage the adoption of cleaner vehicles.
electric vehicles
"Should they be mandated? Should they be forced to sell electric vehicles? Discussing the comments, I guess, is one for everybody out there."
Electric vehicles are cars that use electricity from batteries to move instead of gas or diesel. They are better for the environment because they don't produce smoke from the tailpipe.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are cars powered entirely or partially by electricity stored in batteries, rather than relying solely on internal combustion engines using petrol or diesel. They produce zero tailpipe emissions and are a key part of reducing environmental impact in transportation.
Honda E
"And I think the Honda E was probably very ahead of its time. But yeah, at the moment, Honda seems to be extremely..."
The Honda E is a small electric car made by Honda that looks cool and has lots of tech inside. It was one of the first electric cars designed mainly for city driving.
The Honda E is a compact electric city car produced by Honda, known for its retro-modern styling and advanced technology features. It was considered ahead of its time for its focus on urban electric mobility and digital interior.
grants
"But looking at Japanese and cars that do have grants, the Nissan Leaf is now on the leasing list. £333 a month for 8,000 miles over four years, which I thought was pretty good if you look at its competitors."
Grants are money given by the government to help people buy electric cars, so the cars cost less.
Grants are financial incentives provided by governments or organizations to encourage the purchase of electric or low-emission vehicles. They reduce the effective cost to the buyer.
retro design
"Les Halliwell said, please tell Citroen to go retro. There is a lot to go for."
Retro design means making a new car look like an old or classic one, which some people really like because it reminds them of the past.
Retro design in cars refers to styling that draws inspiration from classic or vintage models, often to evoke nostalgia or heritage. It can be a marketing strategy to appeal to enthusiasts or differentiate a brand's lineup.
Citroën 2CV
"I'd love to see an EV 2CV too, though I feel something so slab sided might be too challenging for any designer"
The Citroën 2CV is an old, simple car from France that many people remember because of its unique look. Sometimes people talk about making electric versions of it because it looks cool and different.
The Citroën 2CV is a classic French economy car produced from 1948 to 1990, known for its minimalist design and utilitarian nature. It has a distinctive slab-sided shape and is often referenced in discussions about retro or heritage-inspired electric vehicle designs.
low CD factor
"might be too challenging for any designer with a brief to produce a low CD factor."
A low CD factor means a car is shaped to cut through the air easily, so it doesn't use as much energy to move. This helps electric cars go farther on a single charge.
The term 'low CD factor' refers to a vehicle's low drag coefficient, which means it is designed to reduce air resistance and improve aerodynamic efficiency. This is especially important for electric vehicles to maximize range and efficiency.
Mini
"You know, it didn't tap into it in the same way. And I think, you know, I think you could argue, Mini, did Mini do it? I think Mini did it. But do they do it now?"
Mini is a car company that makes small, cool-looking cars. They also make electric cars now, which run on batteries instead of gas.
Mini is a British automotive marque known for its small, stylish cars that combine retro design with modern technology. The brand has expanded into electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its lineup, aiming to maintain its distinctive character while adopting new powertrains.
platform sharing
"Does anyone care about platform sharing? So we had a question in, so, at OB Smith 1A,"
Platform sharing means that different car companies use the same basic parts to build their cars. This helps them save money and make cars faster.
Platform sharing is when different car brands use the same underlying vehicle architecture, including chassis, engines, or other components, to reduce development costs and speed up production. This practice is common among automotive groups that own multiple brands.
Austin Allegro
"I remember Lotus Esprit having Austin Allegro door handles, and they actually looked cool at the time."
The Austin Allegro was a small car made in Britain a long time ago. Some parts from it were used on other cars.
The Austin Allegro was a compact family car produced by British Leyland in the 1970s and early 1980s. It is known for its distinctive styling and was a common source of parts for other British cars.
Stellantis
"I think the Stellantis EVs are quite appealing, but only make sense at the discounted prices."
Stellantis is a big car company that owns many different car brands. They make many kinds of cars, including electric ones.
Stellantis is a large automotive group formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. It owns many brands including Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, Jeep, and others, and produces a range of electric vehicles.
EV (electric vehicle)
"I think the Stellantis EVs are quite appealing, but only make sense at the discounted prices."
An EV is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas or diesel. It uses batteries to move.
EV stands for electric vehicle, which is a car powered entirely or primarily by electricity stored in batteries rather than by an internal combustion engine.
Peugeot e-208
"The E208 is still the nicest looking car. Like, you loved your E208, didn't you, Ginny?"
The Peugeot e-208 is a small electric car made by Peugeot. It looks nice and can drive a good distance on electricity.
The Peugeot e-208 is an electric version of the Peugeot 208 supermini, produced by Stellantis. It is known for its stylish design and practical electric range.
Alfa Romeo
"it's very clever for them to be able to make a Citroen and an Alfa Romeo using those same bits and make them drive differently,"
Alfa Romeo is a car brand from Italy that makes sporty cars. They sometimes use the same parts as other cars but make their cars feel different to drive.
Alfa Romeo is an Italian automotive brand known for sporty and stylish cars. It shares platforms and components with other brands but tunes its cars to have a distinctive driving experience.
Volkswagen Group
"And having seen, you know, the VW group's small cars, again, they're different. They are, they're going to feel and look different."
Volkswagen Group is a big car company from Germany that makes many different car brands and types, from cheap to fancy cars.
Volkswagen Group is a major German automotive manufacturer owning brands like Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and others, known for producing a wide range of vehicles from economy cars to luxury models.
Jeep
"has a completely different touch screen system to the Jeep, to the Peugeot, to this kind of thing."
Jeep is a famous car brand that makes SUVs and off-road cars. It is part of the same company as the EC5.
Jeep is a well-known automotive brand specializing in SUVs and off-road vehicles, now part of Stellantis. It is mentioned here to highlight differences in touchscreen systems across brands.
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