EV FAQ

Where did you get your motor insurance?

Eagle Star, a member of the Zurich Financial Services Group. Tel. 08705 298800. The provide fleet cover for a number of local authorities who run Peugeot and Citroen EVs. With these EVs, ownership of the battery stays with the manufacturer, Peugeot. Peugeot specify that the motor insurance must include cover for the batteries to a value of Ł7500. has to cover this split ownership of the whole vehicle. Eagle Star did not have any problem with this.

For costs, see Report 2: contents.

Peugeot (Coventry, UK) are not selling their Peugeot 106 electric to individuals. How did you manage to get one?

An interesting one. I believe ours is the only privately-owned Peugeot electric in the country. Persistence and uniqueness. Of all the organisations active with EVs, CCCC was the only one involved with tackling the interesting issue of a charging point on the public footpath. Powershift seek to promote alternatively fuelled vehicles in commercial fleets. This means by LPG (liquid petroleum gas) and battery electric. Because Powershift awarded a grant, Peugeot regarded this as meaning CCCC was a fleet, a fleet of one.

Can I get an on-street charging point with reserved parking?

Maybe.

How fast does your EV go?

The Peugeot electric has a maximum speed of 56 mph (90 kph). I have driven it on the A3 out of London. There are 3 lanes. Some other vehicles are going at this speed in the slow lane. But for the rest of London, this maximum is not even approach. So this limit is not a problem.

What is the range of your EV?

About 44 miles. Within a few months of use, we built up confidence in the batter meter (state-of-charge meter) on the dashboard. We've taken it down to less than 10%, and got home without a problem.

How long does it take to charge up your EV?

This question is asked as if the battery is almost flat, as if comparing to a fuel tank that is almost empty. We don't run the car like that.

Why did you persist with the on-street charging?

It was a point worth making. The precedent has been set. A way through the bureaucracy has been made. It is possible. Next, the charging point has continued to serve its function without fault since 1999. This is an important trial to have started. If electric vehicles begin to be encouraged to a greater extent, then their charging at the roadside has been proven to be possible.

Can I buy an EV from Peugeot for private use?

Peugeot seem to be making it difficult. When journalists ask, Peugeot's answers are surprisingly vague!

Certainly Peugeot are concerned that:

buyers understand the limitations in range on one charge,
buyers can sort out a charging point or points,
their EVs are based within driving distance of the limited number of service centres that have EV training and equipment,
these EVs continue to stay within driving distance of a service centre.

It seems that fleet operators fulfil these requirements and are Peugeot's preferred customers for EVs.

Does running an electric car cost more?

Yes and no. See Report 2: contents costs.

Electricity is cheap but the battery lease appears expensive. Note that local authorities are starting to buy these vehicles, not only for their green credentials but also because they make financial sense when all costs are considered.