Top rated electric classic vehicles tips and tricks today
Electric classic cars guides today with revival.autos: Shocking Numbers: The electric classic car Revolution – Before we dive deep into this electrifying topic let’s kick things off with some jaw-dropping statistics: Electric Classics on the Rise: The market for electric classic cars is surging ahead at an astonishing pace with a remarkable 60% increase in sales over last two years. Eco-Conscious Enthusiasts: Classic car collectors are going green. More than 70% of classic car aficionados have expressed interest in owning an electric classic car within next five years. Savings and Sustainability: Electric classic cars aren’t just eco friendly they’re budget friendly too. Owners report 30% lower maintenance costs compared to their gasoline counterparts.
Efficiency Meets Affordability – Operating an electric classic car is a financially sound endeavor. With fewer moving parts and lower fuel costs (electricity is often cheaper than gasoline), these vehicles offer long-term economic benefits that make classic car ownership more accessible. Modern Comforts, Timeless Appeal – Electric classic cars can be equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning, power steering, and advanced entertainment systems. These enhancements preserve the vintage aesthetics while elevating the driving experience, offering the best of both worlds.
The Allure of electric classic cars – Classic cars have an intrinsic charm that transcends time. Their graceful contours, artistic designs, and rich history weave a tapestry that transports us to a bygone era. For enthusiasts, classic cars are more than mere vehicles; they are portals to a different time, where craftsmanship and artistry ruled the road. But how can we preserve this charm while embracing a greener future? The Emergence of electric classic cars – Enter the electric classic car—a concept that gracefully bridges the gap between the past and the present. These cars retain the visual splendor of their classic predecessors but shed the traditional gasoline engine in favor of a modern electric powertrain. It’s a transformation that merges nostalgia with environmental consciousness.
In contrast, electric classic cars come with an additional financial facet conversion process. The process of transforming classic car into an electric vehicle (EV) is a meticulous and labor intensive undertaking. The expense associated with conversion hinges on several factors such as the make and model of the car, the intricacy of the conversion and the specific components employed. While conversion costs can be substantial, they are frequently offset by the prospect of long term savings in operational expenditures.
You’ll pay upwards of £32,000 for a new Kia e-Niro (after the government grant) and, because the e-Niro ticks the boxes in so many ways, there aren’t many discounts to be had by looking towards the used market. That said, a pre-registered model can be picked up from around £30,000, and you can skip the waiting list by doing so. Still not convinced? Maybe a seven-year warranty will bring out your inner Nigel… The Renault Zoe has been a bit of a slow burner. It arrived way back in 2013, when electric cars were still very much the preserve of early adopters and ecomaniacs. The original had a small 22kWh battery, giving it a useable range of around 80 miles or so in the real world. If you only cover low miles and want an affordable electric car that won’t break the bank, the Renault Zoe is one of the best used electric cars out there. But the Zoe was given a significant update in late 2019, with a new 52kWh battery and 136PS motor providing an official range of 245 miles and making it much more useable in the process. Combine that with a thoroughly refreshed interior and improved driving experience, and it’s better than ever.
The Ioniq 5 has its sights firmly set on premium rivals such as the Audi Q4 e-tron, Volkswagen ID.4 and Tesla Model Y. Make no mistake, the Ioniq 5 is impressive across the board, showcasing next-gen electric car tech along with capable performance and charging ability normally reserved for high-end models like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT. Two battery options are available with three power outputs: the entry 58kWh battery is paired with a single 168bhp motor driving the rear wheels, delivering a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds and a range of 238 miles. The 214bhp mid-spec version offers the best range, with a 73kWh battery increasing the total distance able to be covered on a single charge to 280 miles. The top-spec variant uses the same 73kWh battery, but adds a second motor at the front, giving a combined total of 301bhp and 605Nm of torque. Overall range falls slightly to 267 miles, although performance is much improved with 0-62 taking 5.2 seconds.
The Model Y is the small electric SUV many people have been waiting for. Based on the Model 3 saloon, the mid-size SUV boasts a spacious cabin, slick infotainment system and boatloads of practicality thanks to a 117-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet and a whopping 854 litres of boot space as well. Plus, performance is still staggering, thanks to dual-motor setups in both the Long Range and Performance models that are currently available. Prices start from nearly £55,000, but one of the major benefits of Tesla ownership is access to the brand’s extensive Supercharger network. Use one of its latest V3 Superchargers, and you can top up the Model Y’s battery from 0-80% in just 36 minutes.
The undeniably high-end Model S has been out for several years now, though. The longest-range models had a six-figure new price, but unlike contemporary Bentley, Jaguar and BMW saloons they have held their value well. Too well, in fact; last year they started from £25,000 secondhand, now, the cheapest are usually nearer £34,000. Tesla slashed the new price of certain models by up to £30,000 in early 2019, knocking residuals for a time but now the Model S represents terrible value for a secondhand car. Buy a nearly-new one, or wait for prices to settle. Tesla’s tendency to sell upgrades and offer over-the-air updates means that a 2015 Model S may be a very different car by 2022, but with no major changes to the design, and continued reliance on the Supercharger network for efficient charging, the experience of a used Tesla won’t be much different to the rarefied heights of a showroom-fresh example. Just don’t expect to get a full charge overnight from your household socket…
Inside the Model Y is the usual minimalist interior, dominated by a horizontal 15.4-inch touchscreen that acts as the dashboard, infotainment and vehicle management systems, all of which perform very well. When it comes to battery range, the Model Y falls behind the Model 3 but still offers plenty in either Performance or Long Range form, at 298 and 315 miles respectively. Electric cars are not for everybody. Although the public charging infrastructure in the UK is improving quickly, regular long trips in an electric car can still prove problematic. The perfect usage pattern for an EV involves charging at home overnight when electricity tariffs are lower and not needing to top up the battery again during the day. Ideally, you’ll need somewhere to charge at home, but you could get around this if there are EV charging points at work or plenty of public charging points nearby. If you do less than 200 or so miles a week, you could get away without having a home or work charger at all; just visit a public one every few days to top up.
In the world of automobiles, a captivating transformation is unfolding before our eyes—a melding of the future and the past like never before. Electric classic cars, those elegant relics of bygone eras, are getting a modern makeover that’s electrifying the automotive world. In this engaging and informative journey, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of electric classic cars, explore the statistics that make them a compelling choice, and discover how they represent the perfect marriage of yesterday’s elegance and tomorrow’s technology.
