This week's EV bargain that I'm not buying

Just beware on jap imports typically the radio/ infotainment system including menus for charging etc will be Japanese language only. There are Irish companies offering to swap out or reprogram them but it's not exactly easy. If you buy from an auction photo online you can't check battery condition, and then you need to pay whatever import taxes. That said lots of hybrid taxis are Japanese imports so it may make financial sense. You may also pay insurance premium for insuring a Japanese import as sometimes repair parts are specific to the Japanese model and no available from scrapyards here.

In terms of bargains you do need to set up email alerts on the likes of done deal, but as said cheapest is not always best long term cost of ownership. The Kona does good bang for buck but it's relatively small so not ideal family transport. It's also missing some modern "must have" features such as adaptive cruise control at least on most (all?) Irish models.

€/km range is a good benchmark in terms of total cost of ownership but beware the actual ownership cost is depreciation, so what is lowest depreciating car that does not break down regularly. The sweet spot for ICE is typically 2 to 10 years old, where deprecation is low and if you get a car with a reliable engine it should not cost lots in breakdown and unplanned maintenance. EVs are a bit different but brands like leaf have good aftermarket availability, and lots of online guides on how to repair. Even as scrap the leaf is worth a lot when broken down. I know most older EVs are becoming worth more than depreciating, so total cost of ownership is hardly anything if you can live with the reduced range.

That's exactly my point. The guys doing these conversions just need to sit down with the insurance companies and get a broad agreement - does it need to be declared, or does it not.

If the insurance companies or whatever regulator oversees them says it doesn't need to be declared, then sorted.

But they haven't provided that assurance, because presumably they can't.

Well I suppose that answers the question.

anyone who values range as their no.1 priority in an EV (like I would, in the Dublin commuter belt) is going to be looking at something like the 2nd hand Kona - that’s exactly the type of answer I had in mind, or I suppose a Soul and the rest of that family maybe too. Thanks

450km range for the price of a 2nd hand Golf.

Well I do days with 350km round trips on motorways, hence 450km summer range would probably cover my winter needs. I’m glad you like your old Renault. I used to have one too

Just beware the Kona sometimes only achieves 270km range in worst case winter conditions at full motorway speed 120+km/h in winter with a headwind . If using it for a 350km daily you might need to slow down in the month of January if your whole trip is motorway at full speed. During lockdown with the roads quiet suddenly the commute was fast for me. If it's typical Dublin rush hour and not off peak shift travel you should be ok all year round. If suddenly stuck you could stop to charge. Slowing down to 110km/h when it's icy would probably suffice.

Yeah I mean realistically if the garage doing the battery swap is certified by some professional body (SIMI I guess???) then there should be no problems with insurance.

I think if you can show some sort of evidence from the garage that the car is roadworthy and they're willing to stand over the modification then it should be fine

But claiming you don't need to even speak to your insurance provider... not so fine IMO

amaziongly, the battery still seems to work as it powered up the dash and central console. Was thinking about a home energy storage solution.