Juxtaposition. Penrhyn Castle and the new Electric vehicle

Its been an interesting few days living with the Renault Fluence Electric Vehicle. I have driven it quite a bit with and without the family. This is my first ever dive of an EV and my first iimpression has been really positive in every way except one. (think I would get less attention if I drove a Farrari through the village – it stands out with the decals)

Range anxiety is very real. I was warned of the range aspect by Renault. Even charging the car to the brim over 12 hours you are still only looking at 60miles or so (don’t have a rapid charger at home. We are waiting for new office charger to be fitted next week) For traveling to and from work (perfect) for popping to and from (perfect) Monday I am trying it out in my work mode. Visiting a tenant 40 miles away to help him with a hydro proposal and then 30 miles back to the office and lastly 25 miles back home. On a single charge I will be short by 25 miles. To make sure i will not to be sitting in a lay-bay somewhere in Snowdonia. I have to Plan my recharging. Will see if I can borrow some electricity from the office in Betws-y-Coed.

If I was an urban dweller and commuter then I think this car is a real consideration. My main view is that the car is too heavy and big for what I want. Same running gear as Nissan Leaf but if they could tackle the size and weight then this will become a real contender in the Jones family vehicle replacement policy. I am really looking forward to seeing the Renault Zoe and the few new upgraded EV’s cars coming out this year. 20 min charging and further range and they will have a real contender. Living in Snowdonia I think I know how the first owners of Model T fords felt when they could only get their fuel from pharmacists. But I’m seeing new EV charge points pop up every day (times are a changing). EV’s have to be one of the future options (I am a fan of public transport, better broadband (or any) hub working and so on but I have access to none of this – EV’s are my only option at the moment…but the world is changing

Penrhyn PV’s will be powering the EV charging point (same PV charging as quite a few other mansion sites in Wales)

Thumbs up from the trainee environmentalist. It’s a big comfortable big car. ( I need a small comfortable car!)