I'm curious how folks find these electric R5s in the real world. I've just returned one as a hire car having unwittingly booked an electric car. I took it on with an open mind having raised the fact we had a 90km journey from Lisbon to Nazare.. no problem, range is 160km I was told. Enroute the car tried to divert us as charge was dropping, I declined, it was late, we'd been delayed 2 hours already with our flight and wanted to get to our digs for the night. Arrived with 5 percent charge...
The charging system in Portugal seems challenging with many chargers out of action, in use, not compatible, signal issues not connecting with the App requiring a physical card which you can't just obtain right away or at all as a non resident. Costs were also high with the App taking a cut, fees for charging and using the charging space. Range was abysmal and frankly felt like a noose around the neck with the uncertainty of where to get another charge, where the car will make it too and how slow you have to travel to even remotely maintain the predicted range.
Aside from all that I must say it was a pleasant enough environment to sit in, so smooth and quiet. But just not viable for our use on this holiday in this country. Different scenario charging at home on slow ac charge I suppose would result in way more affordable use but that wasn't a ln option on holiday. Returned it for a Seat Ibiza with a 3 pot, gearstick and petrol tank.
The engagement with the driving experience is palpable. Not a great car but 570km tank range and no stress of how to, where to and whether it will 'fill up' or not.
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