Latest news with #StuartMasson
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Here's how much cheaper it is to service an EV compared to a petrol, diesel or hybrid car over five years
Electric cars might come with premium prices tags over their petrol, diesel and hybrid equivalents, but cheaper running costs make them particularly appealing to drivers who finance and lease their vehicles rather than buying with cash. Not only are they cheaper to charge than refuelling an internal combustion engine (ICE) alternative, they're also far less expensive to maintain due to having fewer moving parts and longer service intervals. And a new report has exposed just how much motorists can save on servicing over a five-year period if they switch to an EV today. Based on analysis of hundreds of different cars, analysis suggests electric vehicle drivers pay 29 per cent less for servicing over a five-year period. While the average outlay for a petrol, diesel or hybrid model is £5,709, EV owners pay just £4,022, according to calculations by The Car Expert that have been shared exclusively with This is Money. 'While overall servicing costs have risen slightly across the market, the long-term maintenance savings with EVs remain compelling,' explains Stuart Masson, the editorial director at the consumer advice platform. The figures are based on data supplied by automotive analytics provider Clear Vehicle Data, covering more than 600 new and near-new cars currently on sale in the UK. Drawing on official manufacturer servicing schedules, the analysis includes every version of each model – from body styles and trim levels to gearbox and powertrain options – with millions of data points. While servicing costs have increased across the board over the last 12 months due to inflation, rising energy bills and supply chain issues causing delays accessing parts, the data confirms that EVs remain 'significantly cheaper' to maintain than their petrol, diesel or hybrid counterparts. While there are many factors that may contribute to this, one likely explanation is the relative simplicity of EV drivetrains. With fewer moving parts, no oil changes, and a lower number of components that require regular servicing, this reduces the maintenance costs of EVs (though actual costs will still vary by model, usage and manufacturer servicing schedules). EVs also typically have longer mileage intervals. While ICE models usually require a service every year or every 12,000 miles - whichever comes first - some EVs only need a service once they reach 18,000 miles. That said, all manufacturer recommended intervals are yearly. The findings reinforce the notion that electric cars make financial sense long after they leave the forecourt. 'Servicing costs may not be front of mind when choosing a car, but they play a major role in what you'll spend over time, and it's vital that drivers factor that into their decision-making,' Masson added. While EVs might be cheaper to service, there is currently a shortfall of qualified technicians to work on them. The Institute of Motor Industry's latest EV TechSafe certification data published in August showed that 58,800 mechanics in the UK are qualified to work on EVs, which represents less than a quarter (24 per cent) of Britain's automotive workforce. Based on the forecast increase in EVs on UK roads, the IMI is currently predicting a shortfall of 3,000 technicians by 2031. And the gap is expected to reach 16,000 by 2035. The new IMI data also identified a worrying postcode lottery for EV technician availability. While London and the South East have the higher proportion of EVs, the regions do not boast the larger proportion of EV-qualified mechanics. Just 6.1 per cent and 6.4 per cent of professionals in London and the South East respectively are EV-trained. The body's data shows the East of England has the highest rate of EV qualifications (9.5 per cent), while Northern Ireland has the lowest (3.7 per cent). Kevin Finn, executive chair at the IMI said: 'Automotive businesses urgently need to prioritise training more technicians so that the expected rising number of EV owners can find a local technician qualified to work safely on their vehicle.' EV vs ICE servicing costs In the most detailed part of the analysis, EVs were found to be cheaper to service in 95 per cent (53 out of 56) like-for-like model comparisons – often by hundreds of pounds per year. The differences become even clearer when looking at specific model comparisons. Examples include the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, which is 31 per cent cheaper to service over the first three years than the petrol model – and 32 per cent cheaper from years three to five. The Fiat 500e saves drivers even more, with service costs 34 per cent lower than the hybrid version in early ownership and 31 per cent lower in later years. The new all-electric Mini Countryman also delivers strong savings, with maintenance costs reduced by 18 per cent in the first three years, rising to 22 per cent from years three to five when compared to the conventional petrol option. The Fiat 500e (left) saves drivers even more, with service costs 34% lower than the hybrid variant (right) in early ownership and 31% lower in later years The new all-electric Mini Countryman (left) is 18% less expensive for servicing costs in the first three years, rising to 22% from years three to five when compared to the petrol option (right) For fleet managers and higher-mileage drivers, the long-term savings of running an EV will be particularly appealing. Tim Hudson, managing director at Clear Vehicle Data, said: 'Our data shows a clear trend: electric vehicles consistently cost less to maintain, and that gap remains significant in 2025. 'With more EV options available than ever before, the case for switching is stronger – particularly when you consider the measurable impact on running costs for both fleet operators and private buyers. 'As electric models expand across every vehicle segment, it's becoming easier for drivers to choose options that offer real, long-term value.'
NZ Autocar
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Driving the 2025 Omoda C7 PHEV from Shanghai to Wuhu
Driving a 2025 Omoda C7 PHEV from Shanghai to Wuhu was a test of the vehicle and the mettle of motoring journalists from nine countries, who were challenged to equal or better the car's claimed range of 1200km. I was joined by expatriate Australian, Stuart Masson, The Car Expert UK editorial director in the #4 Team Australia car, with Omoda Jaecoo product manager Alaric Wang and Omoda Jaecoo UK PR representative Hannah Burgess. Following the Auto Shanghai show, the Omoda brand gathered the teams at the historic Shanghai Glass Museum on the outskirts of the city for the official start of the endurance marathon. To ensure there was no cheating, the Omoda staff asked the journalists to officially seal both the fuel filler flap and the EV port flap with some ceremonial tape. The two-day endurance marathon saw the teams challenged by torrential weather, miscreant motorists and pedestrians and some very dodgy truck driving on local roads. However, the standard of driving on the tolled, high-speed highways was far superior. The #4 car left Shanghai with 59km on the odometer, 97 per cent battery charge and the distance to empty reading 1109km. From Shanghai, the drive route headed through Hangzhou and onto Qiandao Lake on day one, then onto Xuancheng and finally Wuhu. The car arrived in Wuhu with 822km on the odometer, 19km of battery range and 414km distance to empty for a range total of 1177km. A team from Brazil won the Omoda C7 endurance challenge with a total driving range of 1457km, while a team from Italy scored the worst result with a total driving range of 1119km. Read more Omoda 7 PHEV another crossover with huge weekend range After the event concluded, the nine teams were greeted at Omoda Jaecoo headquarters by the brand's chief executive Mr Shawn Xu. Xu thanked the media for their efforts and confirmed that the Omoda Jaecoo brand will continue to develop its super hybrid technology to bring yet more fuel-efficient vehicles to export markets. Omoda C7 PHEV facts and figures At 4.6 metres long with a 2700mm wheelbase, the mid-size Omoda 7 PHEV offers comfortable seating for four people, and rear legroom that is usually found in much larger vehicles. The boot will accommodate two full-size and two carry-on-sized suitcases. The #4 Team Australia car offered a similar level of interior comfort and specification as the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit, which NZ Autocar recently drove in Australia. The uniquely quartic-shaped steering wheel and seats were finished in a light grey leather-like upholstery, and the full-length sunroof is likely to be offered on export vehicles. A positive note about the C7 is that it is one of the few cars where the head-up display is visible through prescription polarised sunglasses. Two unique party tricks exclusive to the C7 were the ability of the central screen to move across the dashboard and park itself directly across from the front seat passenger. The other was the climate control system's ability to ionise the air quality and also allow the choice of three fragrances for the cabin. The Omoda C7 uses the same 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain as the Jaecoo J7 PHEV, with the manufacturer claiming outputs of 105kW/215Nm for the Miller Cycle petrol engine and 150kW/310Nm for the electric motor. Combined output is reputedly 258kW/524Nm. In hybrid mode, the two units work in unison to deliver a total claimed driving range of 1200km. Power is sent to the front wheels via a single-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). The powertrain offers various driving modes including pure electric, series, parallel and energy recovery. Ordinarily, it allows drivers to enjoy pure electric operation at low speeds and is ideal for city commutes under 40km/h while providing efficient fuel performance at speeds above 80km/h. Travelling up to 90km on a charge, the Lithium Iron Phosphate battery has a capacity of 18.3kWh and can be charged from 30-80 per cent at up to 40kW on a DC fast charger in 20 minutes. Above 30 per cent charge, the C7 can run as a pure EV up to speeds of 120km/h. Omoda C7 PHEV driving impressions Much like its sibling the Jaecoo J7 PHEV, the Omoda 7 is quiet and powerful and sits solidly on the road, with excellent steering response and strong brakes. At the legal limit of 120km/h on the Chinese highways, it felt composed and quiet. Even when torrential rain hit on the first day's run between Shanghai and Quindao Lake, the C7 didn't flinch, it just kept calm and carried on. The high-quality interior impressed with its fit and finish, and the overall build quality of the car was excellent for what we understood was a pre-production vehicle. It augurs well for the future of the brand here. The Omoda C7 PHEV is expected to land in New Zealand in the first quarter of 2026, but final specifications and prices are yet to be confirmed.
