Current fleet
Tales from the battery-powered vehicles in the EV Fleet World car park
Škoda Enyaq 85 Edition
FINAL REPORT
List Price
BiK
3.5mpkWh
Efficiency
miles (Range)
miles (On fleet)
I always dread the departure of any long-term test car, but I was particularly mournful about the loss of the Enyaq. Partly because it’s such a practical, reliable and roomy car that just makes daily life a lot easier. And partly because electric motoring is just so much more fun and enjoyable in general.
In its six-odd months with us, Škoda’s electric SUV has proved why it’s a hit with fleet and consumer drivers and why it’s won a raft of awards. Relaxing to drive and with a long range, it’s also smart looking and well equipped with plenty of tech.
Bar the initial problem with one of the sensors connecting to the 12V battery, its time with us has been incident-free. It’s also proved hard-wearing and gone back looking unscathed despite extensive use as a load lugger for both work and family life.
The comprehensive onboard space and practical features have been much appreciated. The Škoda has proved very handy as a support car for two family holidays, loaded up with everything from e-bike batteries to wetsuits and backpacks.
In fact, all it was missing for me was an extra two seats that would have come in jolly handy on various occasions. However, Škoda is filling this void in its line-up in 2026 with the arrival of a flagship seven-seat electric SUV as the production version of the Vision 7S concept. I’m personally counting down the weeks already.
Natalie Middleton
Renault Scenic E-Tech Iconic
FIRST REPORT
List Price
BiK
N/A
Efficiency
miles (Range)
N/A
miles (On fleet)
I’m going to start the opening report on this Renault Scenic E-Tech with an immediate confession. I’m not entering into my six-month ownership of this new Scenic entirely from a neutral standpoint. I have had a soft spot for it ever since its original introduction in 1996 in people-carrier form. Mainly because of its sheer practicality and clever touches that made living with it as a family that much easier.
Of course, the world has moved on somewhat in the past 28 years and so have car buyers. MPVs are out, the car-buying public has switched to SUVs and crossovers – and, in turn, so has this new Scenic.
That’s not the only change either. Following the lead of the Megane E-Tech and with the new 5 coming soon, the Scenic has now embraced full-electric power. This is the 87kWh battery model, although a smaller 61kWh version is also available to add extra choice and a more tempting lower price at the same time.
With a 369-mile range however, this Scenic looks like the right car at the right time, especially having bagged the European Car of the Year award in early 2024. And, with the highly desirable 5 and new 4 coming out, plus an electric Twingo having been teased in prototype form, there’s no doubt that Renault is rapidly re-establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the EV world.
Perhaps more importantly too, the Scenic represents another rung for Renault’s EV family. With all of the brand’s other electric cars, there’s now another EV model further up for a customer to potentially go into.
Numerous surveys have shown that very few EV drivers return back to an ICE car, but also that they tend to be less loyal to a particular brand than before too. This way, it’s not inconceivable that a buyer could step from a Zoe into a new 5, then to the Megane and up to this Scenic.
Which ironically is just what I’ve done from the Megane. I’m already loving the extra size of the Scenic and also that additional range, though the first few days haven’t been without problems.
The 20-inch ‘Oracle’ design alloy wheels look great but the ride is quite firm for what is, after all, a company car. The ride I can live with (I think), but what is somewhat harder to live with is the Scenic’s charging unpredictability. As I’m temporarily in a rented house, I don’t have access to a home charger, so all of my charging is done via a three-pin ‘granny’ cable. Three-pin charging isn’t ideal, but it saw me through six months of Megane ownership without a problem.
The Scenic however is rather less happy about the arrangement and effectively goes to sleep anything from 30 minutes to three hours after having started charging. So I have to keep checking on it. Renault has said it’s a known problem and it’s working on a software update, but I’m finding it a little disappointing and not the best of starts. Watch this space.
Nat Barnes
Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Match 77kWh
List Price
BiK
4.3mpkWh
Efficiency
miles (Range)
miles (On fleet)
The big German motor continues to grow on me and I’m regularly singing its praises it to anyone who comes into contact with it. One of the most welcome elements seems to be the amount of rear legroom – no-one is going to struggle for space back there. In fact the moot point is the only glitchy infotainment, which seems to go hunting for a GPS signal at an increasing regularity.
It’s always interesting when I drive people in an EV for the first time – to a lot of them it’s like a space-age vehicle, partly because of modern looks, the lack of engine noise and the generally nice environment inside. They all – in my experience of those who I’ve chauffeured in the ID.7 – go away happy and impressed when we talk about the available driving range (which has been hampered a bit by the weather, but is still pushing 330 miles from a full charge) and performance.
And it’s not just me getting carried away, having spent six relatively trouble-free months with the car. Chatting with my fellow mo-jos on events, the ID.7 gets lots of praise and slight envy from those people who might be in something not as impressive.
Even when another car might be more appealing to live with, I would argue the ID.7 is up there with the best. For example, I thought I would really miss the BMW i5 that preceded the Volkswagen and – if I’m honest – if I was offered the keys to both of them for an hour’s drive, I would probably take the BMW. However, overall, I think the Volkswagen takes the crown in the mid- to long-term. The comfortable seats, favourable ride and overall space inside are major plus points for me. And, given the feedback I’ve had from my passengers over the past few weeks, I’m not the only one who thinks like that!
John Challen
Genesis GV60 Premium 77.4kWh
List Price
BiK
N/A
Efficiency
miles (Range)
miles (On fleet)
Did I mention facial recognition? It’s another of the tricks that the GV60 has up its sleeves. While the poorly named keyless entry is fairly secure (you still need the keys on you to get into any car with keyless entry), facial recognition really is keyless.
The GV60 is equipped with a camera set into the leading face of the rear passenger door, behind the driver’s door. It needs to be set up for use because it adds a second layer of security as well.
The first is to set up the facial recognition. The camera will take a picture of you as a permitted driver. Then all you need to do is to approach the car and stroke the driver’s door handle, which will activate the facial recognition software. You can tell this is active by a revolving ‘wheel of doom’ in white in the camera panel. If the system is satisfied that it is you, the ‘wheel of doom’ will turn green, but if it thinks you are trying it on, you get the red light. Locking up is the same in reverse.
Assuming you have gained entry, you will also need to have set up fingerprint recognition. This works in a very similar way to setting up an iPhone with fingerprint recognition. It takes repeated scans of your chosen finger until the system is satisfied that it has a good all-round scan. Then once the car has the data on your face and finger, you can tuck the keys away safely and drive off without them.
It works in the dark and with rain streaming over the camera panel, and although I was hesitant to start with, leaving the keys behind has now become normal. What could possibly go wrong?
John Kendall