A Carnoustie hotel manager has warned of electric car troubles and losses of more than £10,000 pounds.
Kinloch Arms Hotel boss Rob Alcock is warning drivers to “think twice” before forking out for an electric vehicle.
He bought his car in Dundee four months ago – its value has now dropped by almost a third.
“I can’t understand how an electric car can lose so much value in such a short amount of time,” he said.
“That’s a massive drop. They (the dealer) just couldn’t offer an explanation.
“I feel as though I have been conned.”
Earlier this month, when attempting to return the car, his dealer told him it had depreciated a whopping £11,600.
The value dropped from £31,000 to £19,400.
Rob has driven a little more than 3,000 miles in it.
According to the AA, a new car will lose between 10 and 40% in the first year.
Electric cars are arguably far better for the environment.
Wider uptake remains key to cutting damaging emissions and delivering cleaner air. The UK Government has recommitted to banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030.
“I thought I would do my bit, and be a bit more eco-friendly,” Rob explained.
“The government was encouraging people to go electric.
“I tried to do the right thing and it has come back and bit me on the a**e.”
EV driver had to make ‘massive sacrifice’
The range on his vehicle is advertised as 209 miles, but Rob claims he has never got more than 120 on a single charge.
“It’s restricted how far I can go,” he said.
“I went to Inverness last weekend and I didn’t dare go in the car. I didn’t know whether it would get there.”
I’ve done 3,000 miles in that car – 3,000 uncomfortable, restrictive miles – I wanted to go back to a diesel car.”
Rob Alcock, manager of Kinloch Arms Hotel, Carnoustie
In order to maintain the electric vehicle’s battery, Rob now keeps the heating off.
“If you turn the heating on in your car, it is a massive drain on the battery. So at the moment I’m driving my car with no heating on. It’s very uncomfortable.
“You can’t have all the comforts that you think you’d have with a £30,000 car,” he added.
“It’s a massive sacrifice.”
This prompted Rob to trade in the electric car. But after hearing the shocking price drop, he has not yet made a trade.
“I’ve done 3,000 miles in that car – 3,000 uncomfortable, restrictive miles – I wanted to go back to a diesel car.”
Now, he is warning other drivers to heed his advice and stay away from the E-revolution.
“Think twice before you buy one,” Rob warned.
“Because (a) they don’t do the range they say they can do, and (b) they cost so much money. And it’s so much money you can lose.”
The dealership has been approached for comment.
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