Hello fellow e-tron buyers,
So I have a decision I wish to get some opinions on.
I currently drive an S5, which I adore, but unfortunately I will likely have to give up soon as I am starting a new job in London. My GF was working in London, so had a Mini to use on the weekends (she hates my S5...calls it a boat...), however she is doing the opposite and is getting a job very local (about 10-15miles away), for which she will need to commute by car.
Now, despite owning a rather large petrol car, I have been growing increasingly fond of EVs. As such, the only real option in the Audi fold is the A3 e-tron. To me, trading up the S5 to an A3 e-Tron makes perfect sense as its range is suitable for my GF to do her commute on pure EV, but gives us that option to use the petrol engine for longer commutes (hardly ever do more than 30miles, so not really needed). She loves the A1, and don't know how she feels about the A3, but I'm sure no tax and next to zero fuel costs will convince her!
Now the catch......I live in a victorian terraced where it is impossible to park outside my house (single yellow on my side, and the sum total of 2 spaces on the opposite side of the road which I very rarely get!). Usually I'm parked a few yards away down the surrounding streets. Does the lack of ability to charge the car at night render it pretty pointless? My hope is that my GF can at least charge it at work. In my mind, this at the very least gives her the option to use pure EV one direction.
I guess there is going to be the cost/benefit side to weight up (assume the e-tron is more expensive than its petrol equivalent?), however there is also the 'eco' side to the argument as well, and would spend the little extra if it means I can reduce tail pipe emissions in anyway. Of course there is also the fact that we will likely move again soon, and therefore the option to charge the car at home may present later on. How does charging while using the petrol work? Is it a false economy in that more petrol is consumed to charge?
What do you think is the sensible decision here? To try the e-tron, assuming she can at least charge at work, or just go for a small 1.4 CoD A1/A3?
Sorry for the essay...thanks for anyone that kept reading!
So I have a decision I wish to get some opinions on.
I currently drive an S5, which I adore, but unfortunately I will likely have to give up soon as I am starting a new job in London. My GF was working in London, so had a Mini to use on the weekends (she hates my S5...calls it a boat...), however she is doing the opposite and is getting a job very local (about 10-15miles away), for which she will need to commute by car.
Now, despite owning a rather large petrol car, I have been growing increasingly fond of EVs. As such, the only real option in the Audi fold is the A3 e-tron. To me, trading up the S5 to an A3 e-Tron makes perfect sense as its range is suitable for my GF to do her commute on pure EV, but gives us that option to use the petrol engine for longer commutes (hardly ever do more than 30miles, so not really needed). She loves the A1, and don't know how she feels about the A3, but I'm sure no tax and next to zero fuel costs will convince her!
Now the catch......I live in a victorian terraced where it is impossible to park outside my house (single yellow on my side, and the sum total of 2 spaces on the opposite side of the road which I very rarely get!). Usually I'm parked a few yards away down the surrounding streets. Does the lack of ability to charge the car at night render it pretty pointless? My hope is that my GF can at least charge it at work. In my mind, this at the very least gives her the option to use pure EV one direction.
I guess there is going to be the cost/benefit side to weight up (assume the e-tron is more expensive than its petrol equivalent?), however there is also the 'eco' side to the argument as well, and would spend the little extra if it means I can reduce tail pipe emissions in anyway. Of course there is also the fact that we will likely move again soon, and therefore the option to charge the car at home may present later on. How does charging while using the petrol work? Is it a false economy in that more petrol is consumed to charge?
What do you think is the sensible decision here? To try the e-tron, assuming she can at least charge at work, or just go for a small 1.4 CoD A1/A3?
Sorry for the essay...thanks for anyone that kept reading!
My commute is 11 miles each way, and I can almost always manage one one charge. Though a charger has been installed at work now, so I do use that - free electricity!! It's averaged a calculated 100 mpg over 4,000 miles. Around half those miles are commuting / short journeys on battery power. On long journey (400 miles) it averages around 50mpg if driven normally. I expect more is possible... Driven hard it'll do under 30 I expect!!
