I've gone from a R110 ZE40 to a R110 ZE50 Iconic.The interior and spec is another level.I chose not to go for the 135 with rapid charging from experience of the 40-I'm in N.Ireland,and my thus far longest one way trip was covered without a charging stop.I use the all Island 22kw network-perfect for Zoe's needs.My closest rapid charger is 25 miles away-in Donegal. Closest NI chargers are 40+ miles away,and I'm able to comfortably bypass them on trips to Belfast or Dublin.(I visited Ballintoy Harbour and the Dark Hedges,(Game of Thrones locations here) last week..I was still at 60% on the way home afterwards.I can rely on destination charging.If you're regularly on motorways in Mainland UK,the rapid charge capability would be more useful there. I'm loving the car,the only issue is removal of functions I had in the 40 (and my Q210 before that) -remote preheat and the charge hatch release are gone,replaced by a boot release,and "here I am" lights activation.A new app replaced ZE services,which is still being worked on-as yet there's no remote aircon control.Having fob heating or a functional aircon app was what I was waiting for when I first went EV.No more having to go out on a freezing morning to run the car to get it warmed up..It's not a dealbreaker,but it feels like a step back when everything else had moved forward..
I've part ex'd my ZE40 for a ZE50. I didn't really shop around I just went with my local dealer who is within walking distance anyway. The best thing is the dealer is DSG who have an excellent reputation for servicing Zoe EVs. My considerations were getting rid of battery rental, 5 years warranty and a pretty decent finance deal plus new ZE50 owners say the ZE50 is a better car than the ZE40
Yes, buy a new Zoe. It truly is a good car. The first generation Zoe (from 2012) was very much ahead of the time, but is on some points a little outdated now. The actual Zoe (‘new’ Zoe) Is really and totally up to date, better than a lot of it’s newer competitors and that for a really reasonable price.
Let me throw in another option the Peugeot e208. Battery slightly smaller than the Zoe, but you have 100kW charging. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the Zoe limited to 50kW?
My thoughts exactly. I seem to remember Bjørn Teslabjørn Nyland only getting around 45kW briefly with the ZE50, whereas the Peugeot got great speeds (though 100kW only for a spell).
Trond, he was getting 90+ kWh for quite a while , so even though the range of the Zoe is better, I think the faster charging may make it a quicker long distance car. Assuming you find a 100kW charger.
Chances are you'll not be disappointed but it might be a close run affair. I ummed and arrred for many months, oscillating between the Honda e in glorious yellow and with those innovative door cameras replacing mirrors (the latter now looking extremely old-fashioned), and the new Renault Zoe. Finally, by a less than a paper-thin margin, I decided on the French contender. I collect this coming Tuesday. The two clinch factors for me are the gorgeous design - pleasing from every angle - and the 'comforting' range. I'm trying not to be fazed by Renault's well documented beyond appalling record for poor build quality and unreliability but it nags away at the back of my mind. Its bad reputation is founded not on idle gossip but hard evidence from thousands of users via more than one respected motoring media customer satisfaction survey. Collectively, powerful expressions of real world experience... In one such journal in 2019 Renault came penultimate bottom out of 37 manufacturers...! That fact speaks for itself. The 2020 Zoe's build quality is, by all accounts, better than its predecessors whilst a 5-year warranty goes some way to assuaging my fears but even so I must say the tell-tale tinny sound that assails the ear when shutting boot and doors doesn't exactly inspire confidence in this sphere... Seat support isn't top notch either; as for the idea behind the utterly pointless plethora of colour options for the display screen, in my view it's stupidity on stilts; I wonder the bright spark responsible didn't go the whole hog and incorporate artificial candle-lighting at one and the same time. Also, choose your dealer with t h e very greatest care - some of them shouldn't be in business at all in my opinion. One specialist ev trader to whom I spoke in the course of my research all but poleaxed me when he declared that his firm lately no longer stocks the brand due to lack of confidence in the marque in general and too many lacklustre encounters with the Renault dealer network in particular. (M Tourette, are you listening?) In February this year I myself despatched into eternal orbit the fifth-rate dealer with whom I placed my original order, the maker financially compensating me in the process. The dealership in question wasn't on its toes by a long chalk, metaphorically speaking they hadn't even got their shoes on. I parted company urging that they 'Fall awake'. The second dealer is as an eagle to an eel, proving consummately professional. A ruby among the rubble. I wish you well in your double search.
Epic response there David! I'm also not keen on the Renault brand and its quailty reputation, but credit to the Zoe for being a cut above (even though mine leaked). Can't disagree with you on the design and I think the new one is an improvement. Agree on the dealers, but I haven't seen much better out of any of our local dealers (any brand). I think they have it too easy. So far the dealer I'm talking with is quite positive.
@@eviain Thanks for your compliments. Incidentally, I've just added a few comments here and there to what you've already perused. I wholeheartedly agree with your observations that all dealers have it too easy. Heaven fotbid that they should actually have to sweat to secure an order. Without wearing you with the entire saga, the first dealer was most unhelpful and indeed obstructive because (learning from long experience and resolutely determined to be proactive on this occasion so as not to have history repeat itself) I asked that they comply, in writing, with four oh-so-simple requirements. They demured and for their pains earned a bollocking from Renault HQ and the loss of my custom, along with the previously mentioned monetary compensation from Renault. I put precisely the same demands to dealer number two and they acquiesced in under two hours... I loathe dealers and aleays make one hundred percent sure they're on the ball or watch out in my case. I tolerate not the slightest shilly-shallying. I look forward to your future videos and hearing how you progress. It's likely that as there are many cancellations around (my car has been diverted from its originally intended destination) you could secure a vehicle fairly soon if you go the new Zoe route. I waited only a few weeks for mine. I've no idea what the lead time is if you have to order via the factory.
I have a 19 plate ZE40(battery lease) and for me,much as i love the interior , engine,lights etc improvements i just cant justify an upgrade for such a small increase in range ,30 - 40 miles.Now if they had continued the battery lease on the 50 i could have been interested but given DSG wanted my car plus more than i paid for my car to upgrade it was nogo. The biggest problem for me is that the ZE40 is just so competent at what it does for a very small buy in price and although i would love the upgraded tech etc from the 50 i think i would rather keep my money in the bank and wait for the ZE60 or the rumored MGZS EV 60. to get a meaningful increase in range.
I know I commented on one of your previous videos that I didn’t think the ZE50 was worth the upgrade but I found myself in a similar situation. I was offered £1500 within what my 2019 ZE40 cost me as part exchange on a ZE50 and couldn’t resist. Ordered the end of February just before lockdown and it arrived at the dealer on Thursday, hopefully ready for collection this week. Flame Red R135 GT line with CCS. For me the addition of CCS and the improved range were the main factors as we have a ZE20 as our second vehicle so this will make some of the longer journeys shorter. The uncertainty with the future of Type 2 AC at some charging locations was also a concern. I’m also looking forward to the smaller quality of life improvements like CarPlay, B mode, improved lights etc. I would say go for it if you can, there are lots of ZE40 owners upgrading for similar reasons, the cost is frequently working out the same or lower. How does your Leaf compare to your current Zoe in terms of range?
Robert Hunt agree with all of the above Robert! The leaf is probably a little lower on range compared to the Zoe a combination of slightly smaller battery, heavier and more powerful motor I suppose.
We're looking to get our first EV. I really like the new Zoe look, the fact that it includes lots of recycled materials etc. However my main concern is the size of the car. We've got a small ICE estate car at present. Is going to a Zoe going to be too big a jump?
Matthew Jordan tough one! We went from a 55 plate golf and honestly it’s not that much smaller, however our children are small so any lack of space in the back isn’t noticed. For an EV the boot is up there I think the leaf and e-nero are bigger. Depends how often you max out ur space currently
@@eviain Thanks. We don't take too many long trips. Our kids are 8 and 4. Ensuring they have ample room is important. We'd look to keep the car for c5 years (our normal pattern). I guess I need to go see one and take a test drive.
Great video, if you really want a new Zoe the ZE50 for sure is vastly improved over the ZE40 so go for it. However I think there are now better EVs that are cheaper than the Zoe including the VW ID.3, Corsa E, MG and e208.
Thanks EV-J Interesting points, I'm not sure the Corsa E and MG are really in the same size segment. But the e208 definitely is, i'm just not so keen on the fangs look at the front. As a long time VW fan I'd love an ID VW, but I think the list prices on those probably more reflect reality, and like for like the options list would probably add hansomly to the tab. I might be wrong, perhaps an assumption that has put of many a would be VW buyer. However I didn't think they'd managed to boot them up yet anyway and were still all at wolfsburg with engineers mashing CTR-ALT-DEL them until they worked??
@@eviain You are very mistaken about Volkswagen and the ID.3. In my 27 years of buying new cars, I would have never considered a VW because of the things you have mentioned such as options list. However the ID.3 1st will be my first EV and first VW. In Portugal the cheapest ZE50 with CCS is 34,490 euros, this is the one without all of the options. My ID.3 1st at only 3,000€ more at 39,017 € is in a different league. The standard options are far superior to that of the ZE50 and the ID.3 1st has 204CV, same interior space of a Passat, bigger boot than a Golf, full internet connectivity free for 2 years, 2000 kwh charging for free, ACC and more. There is no way the Zoe can compete. So you mention the ID.3 software issues, the software on my ID.3 1st when it is delivered in September will be better than the Zoe, and next year it will only get better. The cheapest version of the ID.3 will be 30,000 € with 45 kwh battery but the car will still be better than the ZE50. Renault has to lower their prices, because the Zoe is currently overpriced. The ID.3 is in a different league, buy your ZE50 now but do not cry when you see the ID.3s on the streets next year for the same price. Watch my channel I have done my research. Loved your video btw, just giving my opinion.
EV Journey must say I’m looking forward to seeing the ID3 I think that will be a contender for me when the leaf is up, as I can’t say it’s a car I have warmed to at all. Zoe should be good for the misses either the one we have or a new one. Will definitely be turning in to your ID3 experiences
I traded up with DSG MORECAMBE from my 40, much better ride. I paid minimum battery lease on the 40, even though I did 10k miles a year, Renault don't charge you for going over the mileage Allowance, I like the extra power and top speed is now 90.
@@eviain And eco mode is now 65mph which is easier on motorways and long dual carriage ways. I also bought the cable tidy tray at £155, very expensive but hides my 25m extension cable, granny charger and type 2 cable.
Nigel Weir Hi Nigel, yes it has been somewhat on hold hopefully it will be getting back on track as the lock down eases up. Although there still seems to be some technical issues to overcome, probably time for an update video on this!
Hi Iain, I am in a similar dilemma. Do I trade in my 22kWh Zoe for (say) a used BMW i3s, or do I take £6k from the government for my 11 year old Honda Civic diesel and buy a new EV?
