Renault Zoe 12 Month Ownership Experience

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In this video I reflect on my first 12 months of ownership of the Renault Zoe ZE50 - my first EV.
This is the latest in a series of videos sharing my knowledge and experience with electric cars. EVs have improved immensely over the last few years, and we are at a point where I think the majority of people can make the switch to electric.
00:00 - Introduction
00:15 - Intent of the video
01:05 - Comfort
02:35 - Driving experience
03:06 - Lack of one pedal driving
03:59 - Refinement
04:20 - Problems
05:00 - Sat nav issues
06:19 - Lane keep assist
06:37 - Auto full beam
06:56 - Retained settings
07:41 - Speed detection failures
08:19 - Winter driving
09:08 - Charging experiences
10:42 - AC charging hack
12:17 - Network improvements
12:56 - Public network pricing
14:32 - Overall thoughts
15:54 - Zoe recommendations
Videos referenced from this one:
Renault Zoe 6 Month Ownership Experience - • Renault Zoe 6 Month Ow...
Renault Zoe - Is It Safe? - • Renault Zoe ZE50 - Is ...
The aim of my channel is to provide knowledge and plain speaking about the transition we all face. I hope you will join me for other videos on the move towards a renewable energy future. I will be covering plenty more about EVs, but will also be sharing my experiences as I look into energy generation and electric heating.

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4 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 77

@clarkwgriswold157 6 месяцев назад

Thanks for your continued feedback. I’m about a week away from taking collection of our used Zoe. Can’t wait.

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

That's great, I hope you enjoy it.

@malcolmfowler8972 6 месяцев назад

I have no plans to sell my Zoe but when I do eventually sell it, the one thing I will really miss is the ability to charge at 22kW AC. Very few EV's have this capability. It is useful having this extra option if DC Rapids aren't available or are a lot more expensive. Using the filters on Zap Map to only display 22kW+ AC chargers shows there are many located conveniently close to motorway junctions.

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

Yes, agreed. There is extra cost and weight in providing this extra capability, but Renault did a great job in limiting this impact by using the motor as part of the charging circuit, a very clever design choice.

@bluethegamer2359 6 месяцев назад

thanks for an amazing 12 month summary

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

Thank you

@BS25999 6 месяцев назад

Thanks, interesting stuff.

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

Thank you

@deutrolige 5 месяцев назад

Great video. I just bought a used 52kw Zoe and loving it, and contrary to what many people think, the long journeys are the best for EVs as you safe a lot of money in comparison to a petrol car😊.😊😊

@theelectrictransition 5 месяцев назад

That's great, I hope that the ZOE treats you well! There are savings to be made, but only if you can avoid using public charging all that much - in the UK, at least. Public charging prices are a bit insane here at the moment. Let's hope Tesla opening up their supercharger network to the general public drives competition, and prices come down. Are you in the UK? There's something about your username that makes me think not. If not, how are public charging prices for you at the moment?

@deutrolige 5 месяцев назад

@@theelectrictransition you're right, I'm not in the UK. I actually live in Denmark. I use a company here in Denmark called Clever, and they have a flat rate for around 90 pounds which give you access to many charging points around the country and also the home charging is included in the price. For me that means huge savings as I do normally drive around 150km everyday, and I was paying a fortune in petrol 🙂

@theelectrictransition 5 месяцев назад

Wow, that is fantastic! There is a lot to be saved in the future in the UK, too, I think, but at the moment, our public charging is very expensive. Most DC rapid chargers are in the order of 79p/kWh (92 euro cents). However, if you are a frequent user, you can pay a subscription of just under £10/month to get it down to more like 50p/kWh

@decimal1815 3 месяца назад

Car parks are a nightmare. Reviewers often ignore this but many of us have to rely on car parks every day for work. I've picked up a couple of scrapes just from leaving the car parked all day in a cramped and busy car park. The spaces are so tight it's inevitable. The 360 camera is great on the Leaf but I've started looking at the Zoe as a replacement just because it's smaller.

@theelectrictransition 3 месяца назад

Yes, true. It's probably not all the fault of the car parks though, as all of the cars have got a lot bigger in the last 15 years - especially wider. If the car park was built a long time ago, then we can't really complain. That the parking sizes haven't changed as they have built newer car parks is perhaps a little more frustrating. More spaces means more revenue, sadly.

@user-hf7jp2lt5x 5 месяцев назад

The next decade will be interesting with a choice of ev, petrol/diesel, lpg and hydrogen. Personal transport has been through changes before (electric and steam before ice) and it will be interesting to see if ev is the only or indeed the main solution. I see a mix of solutions with ev as one of them. My driving needs suit ev but I look forward to my Mr Fusion and hoverboard.

@theelectrictransition 4 месяца назад

Ah, Mr Fusion, now you are talking! Funnily enough, hoverboard is a word I added to the script for next week's video!

@supersub20 6 месяцев назад

I've had my ZE40 for just over 2 years and put over 50k miles on it. But would never go back to ice as Zoe fits my lifestyle and I use public chargers all the time

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

That's great. Have you found that the public charging network has changed much over that time?

@supersub20 6 месяцев назад

@@theelectrictransition yes I had to rely on Tesco 7 kW and Electric highway then changed to Gridserve 22kW chargers but now they have Connected kerb

@MrKOenigma 6 месяцев назад

@@supersub20in Germany it improved as well, though it's quite expensive now, 2 years ago there were several public charges that were free of charge. Now it's quite expensive to public charge... it's half the price to charge at home. 3 years ago we changed to 2EV 1ice in our household, haven't driven the ice car since, we're going to sell/scrap it soon

@BrianCorry-qc1fm 6 месяцев назад

I have my Zoe for 2.5 years now and 57000 Km from new. Very reliable and cheap overall costs.

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

That's great. It sounds like it is doing you good service :-)

@ValMartinIreland 6 месяцев назад

The big question is does it have a computer game function for escapism? I will stick with my VW Caddy 2 L diesel van 2010. Learning IT gadgetry costs money.

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

Hehehe. Yes, I take your point, although the secondhand market offers some much more affordable entry points to EV learning at the moment.

@roberthartley6629 6 месяцев назад

how did you reeboot the media system? Is it the big screen?

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

Yes, the central screen. You press and hold the onscreen power button, bottom left, for 10 seconds, and when you finally lift your finger off, it reboots

@garybibby2698 5 месяцев назад

70kmh = 40mph. Volkswagen golfs have this same bug - seems logical as a lot of components in VW and Renault are made by Continental so might be related.

@theelectrictransition 5 месяцев назад

That's an interesting thought. 60km/h is a bit closer to 40 mi/h than 70, but you are right - this could be it.

@decimal1815 3 месяца назад

Government should cap public charging costs per kWh at different speeds.

@theelectrictransition 3 месяца назад

It's certainly pretty out of control at the moment, I'm with you on that. You would hope that the problem would be solved by price competition as the networks expand - as people have more choice - but that doesn't appear to be happening at the moment. It doesn't help that we are asked to pay only 5% VAT on home electricity, but 20% VAT on public chargepoints - at least here in the UK. That doesn't account for the whole discrepancy by any means, but it explains a bit of it.

@drakemia4079 5 месяцев назад

We do need increased funding for our grid in all countries and this will get it done and it will be a win win for the future. Electricity is way more efficient for the miles we drive batteries get better and better.

@theelectrictransition 5 месяцев назад

I agree, most countries will need some upgrades to their grids. There will be more energy movement as we switch from centralised power stations to a more distributed grid, although local storage buffers may offer an alternative in some areas - it depends on which is most cost effective in each location

@drakemia4079 5 месяцев назад

@@theelectrictransition I agree

@nepaliman5716 6 месяцев назад

Used zoe vs used mg 5 estate ?

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

They are very different cars, so that is an unusual comparison, but here goes. Journalists have been saying very good things about MGs. They are a relatively new manufacturer, but to compensate, they offer a long warranty to give additional peace of mind - longer than the ZOE. James from Clevely Automotive did a 100,000 mile update on one of their MG5 estates, which they use for mobile servicing. They use them very heavily and seem to be very pleased with them. That's a very good sign. I've not driven an MG, and I am unlikely to drive one much because I find the seats to be uncomfortable, but that is because of my particular back problem. I would suggest test driving one of each and seeing how you get on with them. I think the older MG5s had a fairly slow and basic infotainment system, so be sure to make sure you can live with that if you go for an old one. The refresh/face-lift model has a better system, from what I understand.

@bluefazer600 6 месяцев назад

I bought a used Zoe R135 GT Line 70 plate in Celadon Blue beginning of December and it’s a brilliant car that feels bigger than it is and very well equipped. I can’t charge at home due to living in a flat but I can charge easily near my work using Connected kerb 22kwh chargers. My brother has a MG 5 and it’s very nice to drive but the tech is way behind the Zoe.

@forestdad 6 месяцев назад

This is like old school Top Gear 😂

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

I feel honoured to be mentioned in the same sentence as Top Gear - even if it is the old school version, and isn't intended in an entirely positive way! I am hoping to increase the production budget and start crashing through portacabins any day now.

@kommentato1328 6 месяцев назад

EVs will be great once the batteries are lighter and safer (environment, accident, burning away, production/mining etc.).

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

The statistics on the safety concerns around EVs tell a different story to the one being portrayed in the media. Bear in mind that there is a lot of media hype on the subject, being used for dramatic effect.

@kommentato1328 6 месяцев назад

Yes there is a lot of media hype to force EVs on everybody.@@theelectrictransition

@CRAZYCR1T1C 6 месяцев назад

We are a 2 EV and 1 ice household. Nothing wrong with EV cars. Perfect for everyday use. The let down is the poor charging national infrastructure. Hit and miss on working chargers. Imagine going to fuel stations and finding they have ran out of fuel…. You have to find the next one . Now imagine that only 50 percent of gas stations exist. Lucky there is an ICE to fall back on for long journeys. Anything over 100 miles range trip we just ignore the EVs.

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

I can understand your concern about the infrastructure. However, my experience suggests it has improved quite a lot in the last year. The original electric highway gave public charging a bad name due to sheer bad luck, but other networks have also been sub par in the last few years. However, things have improved a bit recently, and the new public charge point regulations I mentioned in last week's video should also help here in the UK, ensuring reliability remains high into the future.

@tkpeters 6 месяцев назад

It's still ZERO rated by NCAP, I'll stick with my 5 Star EV

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

If it's an EV, then it isn't a concern to me if you chose another make or model. Enjoy.

@tkpeters 6 месяцев назад

@@theelectrictransition Still would like to survive a side impact without my head being exposed by a weak B Pillar in the Zoë

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

For legal reasons, I feel obliged to say that there was absolutely no suggestion of any weakness in the structure of the car. I did a deep dive video on why the score came out as it did; if you are interested in more detail maybe have a watch of that.

@tkpeters 6 месяцев назад

@@theelectrictransition If so, why did the dummies head hit the pole in the side impact test? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HiOs1mCMH4Q.htmlsi=XQqpvN0Re3SWp64h&t=90

@captainnutzlos3816 6 месяцев назад

The zoe is one of the worst ev s ! It has ac charging losses around 22% 🤦‍♂️ Imagine spilling 1/4 of your fueling every time....

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

@captainnutzlos3816 that's an interesting statistic. Is that based on your own measurement, or something you have seen written elsewhere? I am interested in the details. I wonder if this would have been measured when charging on single phase or three phase power, and at what speed. I also wonder what car was involved - which of the motors. The original Continental motors in the Q designated cars was said to be less efficient, although that was in drive efficiency rather than charging efficiency. My measurements on a 7kW single phase EVSE suggest losses of about 4%, although that does seem suspiciously low. More tests required, I think.

@captainnutzlos3816 6 месяцев назад

@@theelectrictransition I had a replacment zoe for my dacia spring, while it was in service. I single phase charged it with 2000 watts from my pv system. the zoe had 41 kwh battery so it should have loaded 50% into it, in 10 hours with 2 kwh charge. But it had only charged around 37%. The temperature was around 17 deges celsius, so no excuse from that. This is not acceptable.

@thecakemonster 6 месяцев назад

@captainnutzlos3816 oh, interesting. Presumably you could see from your system that the car was accepting the amount you expected- that none was going to the grid? If the ZOE couldn't interpret the PWM signal from the charger I think it would have fallen back to charging at a slower rate than the charger was enabling. However, it appears that the default is 6A, which on 220v would only charge the car 32% at best, so those figures don't quite add up. A 240V supply could manage 35% and the percentage readout on the car won't be 100% accurate, so that's possible but still seems a bit low. I have heard it said that the network operator can send a signal to get chargers to switch to low power mode, usually 6A. I wonder if there is a chance that is relevant. I'll have to run a similar test on mine and see what it achieves, although I don't yet have solar, so it'll have to be charged off the grid. However, that removes a variable, so that might be no bad thing.

@captainnutzlos3816 6 месяцев назад

@@thecakemonster I use the ac500 from bluetti with 6x b300s. the inverter can output 5 kwh but here in germany we have 230 volt. As adapter i use juicbooster 2, you can switch between 6 8 10 16 and 32 amps. I charged with 8 amps with 230 volts for 10 hours. Even if its not excatly 2000 watts the charging losses are too high. Usually i charge my dacia spring with the same setup!

@thecakemonster 6 месяцев назад

@@captainnutzlos3816 Useful information, thanks. In Germany do you have the system whereby the network can switch the EVSE/adapter into a lower power mode? I believe it might be used in Hungary, but I'm not sure what other European countries might have demand response systems in place of this nature.

@hcw199 5 месяцев назад

Zoe is a girls car with a girls name.

@theelectrictransition 5 месяцев назад

It's a car, and I'm glad to have found one in which I can get comfortable. That's far from a given, for me.

@grenvillebamford1205 6 месяцев назад

If the majority of people made to switch to EV's there would be complete chaos trying to charge them. Do some research and you will find that most car manufacturers world wide are winding down or completely stopping production of EV's and there are hundreds of thousands unsold just left in fields. The market has virtually saturated and everyone who wanted and EV have already made that choice. The majority of people understand an EV is absolutely useless for their needs.

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

Some manufacturers are slowing their production, that much is true. That's because their offerings are not sufficiently attractive in comparison to the competition - mainly, they are too expensive, because they are not yet able to build at sufficient scale. Do not confuse some manufacturers struggling with the market stopping. The growth in sales has certainly slowed, but it has not stopped, and there are a couple of obvious reasons for why that is happening - leasing and interest rates to name but two. Of course there would be chaos if everyone switched overnight - but that's not a realistic scenario. It would take many years to replace the entire ICE fleet even if we switched to 100% EV sales overnight - which is also unrealistic. The charging infrastructure only needs to keep pace with the market. There may be some periods where that might be a challenge, but far from unachievable. There is a difference between what people think EVs are good for and what the latest actually are good for. EVs would suit a lot of people now, they just haven't realised it yet.

@discoverkenya 6 месяцев назад

Right!!! You tell him, those multi billion dollar RnD vehicles and new platforms are being halted as we speak because they just aren’t selling. Scores of fields across swathes of land littered with unsold EVs. From the tip of Johh o’Groats, Scotland to bottom of Cape Agulhas, South Africa. We must speak out against the evil EVs

@andytunnicliffe7223 6 месяцев назад

Are you the elected representative of the majority? Thought not. Perhaps it’s you that needs to do some research before spouting hyperbole.

@jamesstanley7263 6 месяцев назад

I’m walking into a showroom tomorrow to either buy an e-208 or a Zoe. So….

@grenvillebamford1205 6 месяцев назад

Just take your head out of your ass and do just a little research , don’t bother replying I’m deleting this brain dead thread.@@andytunnicliffe7223

@sevenus82 6 месяцев назад

Ok. Now take all these talking ppints and c😅ver them wirh relevant B roll footage and you might grow tour channel. The way it is now is puting people to sleep within first three minutes of video. You are talking too flat to capture and hold viewer's attention.

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

Yes, a very fair point. Unfortunately, I was very cold, and getting it recorded at all was a trial! I shall try to do better in future

@JamieBrigden 6 месяцев назад

@@theelectrictransition Don't worry about recording it all outside either. You can do parts of it outside like you are, parts of it voice recorded later and B roll can be all for the parts you talk about, all done later. Talking about the seats? Show, a B roll. Talking about a scratch you got? B Roll!

@Nightmareof94 6 месяцев назад

Ugly slow and not as efficient as a ice

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

The ZOE is one of the slowest of the EVs that's true, but that doesn't make it slow. Maybe you need to try an EV to see for yourself. I'd be interested in seeing the research which has proven EVs to be less efficient than ICE. That's not something that fits with my understanding of the energy involved in the construction and use of each. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but at the end of the day, they are just cars. There is no reason why there cannot be one that you like the look of.

@kburns4695 6 месяцев назад

I love the look of my Zoe and its got the nippiest acceleration of any car that I've ever had! Much zippier than similar sized ICE Corsa for example

@andytunnicliffe7223 6 месяцев назад

Your first two assertions are subjective, the last blatantly untrue.

@noelgillett346 6 месяцев назад

electric cars are a trap. the fire issue alone should be sufficient to avoid this ruinous tech, and ample cause to both accuse and convict the establishment of crimes against humanity. any other conclusion is absurd. there are no adults anymore.

@theelectrictransition 6 месяцев назад

The fire issue to which you refer is mostly not an issue at all, it is mostly misinformation. EVs are 90-95% less likely to catch fire than ICE cars. Furthermore, the number of fires where the battery was involved - the concern you are raising - have been really low. Extraordinarily low.