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Check out the latest video all about the EV Experience Centre from the ‘Fully Charged Show’, the YouTube channel hosted by Robert Llewellyn and dedicated to renewable energy, electric cars and more.
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One of the most recent additions to our electric vehicle fleet is the Volkswagen e-Golf, a fantastic pure electric car that is already proving to be popular with visitors. Below is our original video showcasing the features of this electric car.
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We are pleased to announce that the new generation 2018 Nissan LEAF has now joined our test drive fleet, and is now available for short-term 20 minute test drives as of today (11th April 2018).
Premiered at the EV Experience Centre in November last year, the new Nissan LEAF offers a range of 235 miles (NEDC) with a 40kW battery and impressive features such as ProPILOT and e-Pedal mode.
The new model of one of the most popular electric cars currently on the market will be available for free 20-minute test drives alongside one of our EV Gurus, with our visitors getting the chance to experience the car first-hand as well as try out the charging infrastructure and ask any questions they may have about the vehicle or EV ownership.
Proving a popular vehicle, we recommend booking your test drive with us, either by giving us a call on 01908 229 339 or sending us an email on enquiries@evexperiencecentre.co.uk, or you’re welcome to just pop into the Centre on the weekend, after work or on your lunch break and we’ll do our best to get you into this amazing pure electric car.
The EV Experience Centre will also be receiving a second 2018 Nissan LEAF this month, which will be available for long-term test drives for 4 days, 3 nights from just £50. Available dates to be confirmed.
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The team at the EV Experience Centre were honoured to receive a visit from the Mayor of Milton Keynes, David Hopkins, to discuss the uptake of electric vehicles as well as the charging infrastructure available. Visiting alongside Head of Transport Innovation at MK Council, Brian Matthews, they were greeted by Ted Foster, Centre Manager, who showed them around the electric vehicles and charge points on display in the Centre.
The Mayor had the chance to meet some of the EV Gurus; and ask them some questions, before being shown our dedicated electric vehicle charging bays outside and some of the cars we have available for short-term and long-term test drives. He was also given a quick tutorial on how to use a POLAR Fastcharge unit by EV Guru, Jamie, and the different options to connect to public charge points currently available to EV drivers.
As an added bonus, Mayor Hopkins will be spending the week in one of the Centre’s long-term test drive vehicles, the BMW i3, to give him a proper chance to experience the car and lifestyle for himself.
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Our focus at the EV Experience Centre is the visitors and helping them make their decision about electric cars, as well as give them a better understanding of the industry, models and lifestyle. Sian Whyte visited the Centre not long after we launched last year, and has since gone on to purchase a Renault Zoe after experiencing a short term test drive; find out about her EVEC experience below:
Read more “‘My trip to the EV Experience Centre’”
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The EV Experience Centre has a fleet of fun and innovative electric vehicles ready for visitors to try and experience for themselves. One of our most popular vehicles is the Renault Zoe, a pure electric with an NEDC range of 250 miles. Below is our original video introducing all the features of this fantastic electric car.
Our Renault Zoes is available for both short term and long term test drives; visit our website to book your test drive, or just give us a call on 01908 229 339.
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This month, we sent out EV Gurus, David and Bianca, on an adventure to Wales in the Kia Optima Sportswagon PHEV, a fairly recent edition to the EV Experience Centre’s electric vehicle fleet. The journey would be just over 600 miles overall, but to add an additional challenge to the adventure, the EV Gurus did little planning prior to setting off.
“We left the EV Experience Centre in Milton Keynes mid-morning heading towards Snowdonia National Park, and the first thing we noticed was how quiet the car was, even with a petrol engine on the go. Driving in Hybrid mode for the entire journey, we particularly enjoyed setting the on-board screen to see the energy flow of the engine and battery, a feature we highly recommend as there’s much you can learn.
We travelled from Milton Keynes to Bewts-y-coed in Snowdonia National Park, then on to Pen-y-pass for a hike up half of Snowdonia. Halted by the wind and rain, we were happy to head back to the luxury of heated seats and steering wheel. Warmed up, we drove back into Bewts-y-coed then on to Llandudno to turn in for the night.
The following morning, we adventured more in the Optima Sportswagon, travelling to Aberystwyth then on to Fishguard before reluctantly heading back to Milton Keynes.
Overall, driving the Kia Optima Sportswagon PHEV was a joy to drive and we were sad to hand it back. Easy to operate and with straight forward and driver-friendsly features, the Optima’s dirve was smooth and comfortable, and with only one spec you always know what you’re getting for your money. You have the option to drive in fully electric or in hybrid; after spending plenty of time on the road in hybrid mode we learnt that the hybrid system keeps the battery fairly constant ensuring you always have something left. We also discovered that the car will begin in electric mode before switching to predominantly petrol however when there is higher demand for power (e.g. steep hills) the car will use both in unison. The regenerative braking is also adjustable by altering your pressure on the brake pedal, pressing lightly will use a little amount of regen, more pressure will use more, while pressing hard will simply just use the brakes.”
Over the course of the two days, Bianca and David covered 643 miles, spending £72.80 on petrol overall. The car was also able to give us averages on their speed and driving style; which we’ve included below:
Average consumption on motorways – 55mpg
Average consumption on country roads – 42mpg
Average consumption on rough country roads – 31mpg
Driving style:
62% economical
36% normal
2% aggressive
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We hear the term ‘Range Anxiety’ a lot at the EV Experience Centre, with a fair few of our visitors worried about running out of battery while driving.
As a team, we aim to challenge these perceptions, which is why we decided to send EV Guru, Bianca, on a road trip in a pure electric car to experience for herself long distance electric driving.
Going from the EV Experience Centre in Milton Keynes to Aberdeen, Bianca chose to take one of the most popular EVs currently on the market, a Nissan LEAF. With a range of 155 miles (NEDC) and with a trip of approximately 490 miles ahead of her, Bianca would have a good chance to experience the charging infrastructures available in the UK, as well as the performance of this compact pure electric hatchback.
“I travelled up from Milton Keynes to Aberdeen in a Nissan LEAF, which is fully electric. On my route up I stopped to charge 7 times, each stop lasting 30-40 minutes, the perfect amount of time for a coffee.
I found that even on my days off I couldn’t stop working! Along the way I ran into several EV owners and EV enthusiasts who were very interested in my journey and the car too. I enjoyed being able to chat with them and share the information I knew. It was very interesting to hear what EV owners thought about their cars and the infrastructure which was generally very positive. It was even better to chat to those that were a little sceptical of the electric vehicle future, explaining what I knew and that I was travelling over 400 miles in a fully electric car made those fears and doubts start to fade and their interest grew, some are even looking at getting an EV or PHEV now!
On my way back down to Milton Keynes, I stopped 7 times again, only encountering 2 charging issues, which made the adventure all the more interesting, however when I encounter issues the customer service teams over the phone were always very friendly and helpful, which made the experience very pleasant.
Overall, I really enjoyed my experience and the hiccups along the way.”
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Fleet management company, LeasePlan UK hosted its first electric car event at the EV Experience Centre this month, aimed at providing information on how firms can transform their fleets to zero-emissions and low emissions vehicles.
Attended by fleet decision makers, the event included talks from LeasePlan UK’s managing director, Matt Dyer, and CEO, Tex Gunning via live video link.
The event was a great opportunity for the EV Experience Centre team to promote the benefits of adding electric vehicles to company fleets as well as the necessary infrastructure available.
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As a special treat for all our visitors, the EV Experience Centre is holding a New Year competition giving visitors the chance to win a week in a BMW i8. From 1st January to 28th February 2018, every test driver will be entered into a prize draw, with anyone having a 20-minute test drive entered into the draw once while long-term test drives will have their chances doubled with their details entered twice.
To be in for a chance to win, entrants can book their test drive, in any vehicle on the EV Experience Centre fleet, online or over the phone, or by just popping into the Centre during January and February.
While anyone who is 21 years old with a full UK driving licence can test drive a car at the EV Experience Centre, drivers must be 30 years or older to be in for a chance to win a week in the BMW i8.
The EV Experience Centre offers free 20-minute test drives in a fleet of electric cars from partner manufacturers, including the BMW i3, Kia Soul EV, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Nissan LEAF, Renault ZOE and Volkswagen e-up.
Accompanied by one of our knowledgeable EV Gurus, you’ll be walked through the vehicle as well as shown the different charging options available to electric vehicle drivers and the particular test driver car.
Also available are long-term test drives, which can be booked for either 7-days from £75, or 4-days for just £50.
Book your test drive now!
*BMW i8 competition now ended with winner chosen. Thank you to all entrants!