Why does the average Ukrainian user choose an electric car instead of a gasoline or diesel car? Our main reason is not the same as in most countries of the world: saving at the gas station. It’s actually cheaper to charge an electric car battery than to fill up a diesel or petrol tank, although the savings vary greatly depending on where you charge.
True, the favorable picture will be disrupted if we calculate the profitability of a family electric car in full – with depreciation of the car, degradation of the battery and its possible replacement or overhaul, subsequent sale, etc. But this is a topic for a separate study, and here we will recall the significant advantages of electric vehicles for Ukraine. This means more comfortable and even friendlier management, less ongoing worries with repairs and service, and even, to some extent, prestige.
Electric vehicles are represented quite widely on the Ukrainian secondary market. There are both imported copies from Europe and repaired “cue balls” from overseas, and in addition, you can stumble upon one of the cars that was once purchased from an official dealer in our country.
Volkswagen e-Golf
$10 700 – 26 200
If not for the price, this would be one of the most interesting options. Of course: that same reference car – the Golf, still fresh in its seventh generation, and with all the advantages of an electric drive. Despite the fact that even the presence of batteries did not affect the space in the cabin and trunk. There are two versions of cars on the market – with batteries of 24 kWh (the declared range for the new battery is 190 km) and 35 kWh (promised 300 km).
The car turned out to be dynamic – 10.4 s to 100 km/h, the designers did not seriously limit energy consumption for acceleration. There are used e-Golfs available on the market for both the European and American markets, and the supply is large and there are almost new examples in excellent condition.
Nissan Leaf II
$9 000 – 31 000
The Leaf was one of the first cars designed specifically as an electric vehicle, and for a long time it was the most popular in the world. The second-generation car inherited all the best qualities of the pioneer: accessibility, simplicity, reliability, and the capacity of a comfortable body. Starting this year, the car is sold in Ukraine through the Nissan dealer network. Official cars have a 40 kWh battery (389 km in the city and 270 km in the combined cycle).
But from abroad we also receive “European” copies in the Leaf e+ version with a 62 kWh battery. Since Leafs have been present in the country for about 10 years, they are known at service stations and are not afraid to repair not only the crew part, but also electricity and even the battery (it was the Leaf owners who once introduced the word “canned food” into the use of electricians).
Mitsubishi i-MiEV/Peugeot iOn/Citroën C-Zero
$4 500 – 9 500
This baby is a real Japanese, because at first it was a Mitsubishi i petrol kei car for the domestic market, which was then successfully electrified. Despite its modest size, the car has a fairly advanced electric drive system: forced cooling of the engine (liquid!) and batteries, and the ability to heat it in the last winter. In Europe the car is known as Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero.
The official range from one charge is 160 – 100 km (depending on the version and standard of measurement) is relatively small, but for a day or two it is quite sufficient for a small car. On the move, the car is quite lively, even with four adults in the cabin. The market offer is rich, especially if you do not make a difference between all three brands.
BMW i3
$10 000 – 31 000
In many ways, a unique car: B-class premium segment, carbon fiber body designed purely for electric drive, aluminum frame and the ability to have its own gasoline charger in the trunk. A battery hidden in the floor with a capacity of 19 kWh, 27 kWh or 39 kWh should provide a range of 130-359 km.
The REX package is equipped with a kind of gas generator, and if you start it, the mileage will increase as much as there is enough gasoline in the tank. Despite its good-natured appearance, the car has a sporty character, even not in the Sport version, accelerating to hundreds in 7.3 seconds. This successful car was sold all over the world, which is why you can find both American and European versions of it in Ukraine.
Renault Zoe
$7 200 – 20 000
A small European B-class car that looks like an ordinary hatchback. But unlike some competitors, it was never ordinary: Zoe was immediately created as an electric car. The battery capacity varied over the years, from 22 kWh to 52 kWh, respectively, the range varied from 210 to 385 km. At one time, it was the most common electric car in Europe, and in some countries you could not pay for the battery, but rent it separately. According to Ukrainian standards, Zoe is certainly small, but in its B-segment it is very good. Quite a few of these cars are sold on the secondary market, including after several years of leasing in one of the European countries.
In short
An electric car is an interesting and promising, but very specific transport. When choosing it, you will first have to take into account the mode in which it will work for you – in order to link the actual range of the electric machine and the possibility of recharging its battery. And after that you will deal with roominess, dynamics, comfort and other consumer considerations.
2023-11-01 05:20:30
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