Do you need to change your car? If you’re after a new one, then the chances are you’ve considered going electric, writes Tim Barnes-Clay.
Electric vehicles, or EVs, are becoming a more common sight on the UK's roads. Slowly but surely, electric charging stations are popping up in service stations, supermarkets, and streets.
You may not have pulled the trigger on an EV purchase or lease because of fear. Fear is the root of anxiety, and 'range anxiety' is a real thing. As a motoring journalist, I've driven many electric cars, yet I still get twitchy when driving EVs into more remote areas. Sure, that worry about running out of charge or not being able to find somewhere to plug in has eased over time, but there's still a residual amount of it there.
So, for those of you who’ve never sat behind the wheel of an EV, it’s no wonder that fear – or anxiety is slowing down your move from the combustion engine to a fully electric car.
Yet, there are many EVs on the market now with decent real-world range. The Tesla Model 3 manages 390 miles, the Polestar 2 has an official range of 406 miles, and the Mercedes-Benz EQS boasts 452 miles. Many more cars will do well into the 300+ range - including the brand-new Skoda Elroq, which was officially unveiled in Prague this week.
The Czech-based brand is known for its good value and well-made cars; the latest addition to its stable is no different. We can't tell you how it drives yet, but we can tell you that it'll do up to 360 miles on a full charge – and that's from a compact SUV. Yes, you read that correctly; Skoda's new electric baby is the first EV the marque has had in this segment - and, better still, the car is entering the UK market from just £31,500.
On that note, it isn’t just range anxiety that puts motorists off all-electric cars – it’s the price (and the depreciation – but more of that at the end of this article). Typically, EVs are 25.5 per cent more expensive than their petrol or diesel counterparts. However, you could argue Skoda has kicked the range and price concerns into the long grass with the Elroq. It has a fabulous range and is in 'affordable' car territory. For instance, the compact all-electric SUV is priced similarly to the £29,775 combustion-propelled Skoda Karoq – and it’s cheaper than the Peugeot E-3008 and Kia Niro EV, which are not far off £40,000.
We saw the Elroq unveiled with much pomp and ceremony on board a boat on the Vltava River. Skoda went to the trouble of winching the compact SUV onboard using a crane so we could see it close up – while also checking out Prague's incredible scenery. From the Charles Bridge - a medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Vltava, to views of the almost Disney-esque Prague Castle – it was the ideal backdrop for the world premiere of a Czech car.
So, let’s tell you a little more about the Elroq. It is Skoda’s second all-electric model to be built on the Volkswagen Group's MEB platform.
We won't bang on about the car's appearance because you can see the images for yourself, but you might be interested to know it's the first Skoda to take on the new ‘Modern Solid’ design language. So, for instance, instead of the typical Skoda grille, you now have a glossy black ‘Tech-Deck Face’. A substantial front bumper with a ‘Unique Dark Chrome' insert also distinguishes the new front. Meanwhile, the headlights appear to have four eyes, and the Elroq wears Skoda lettering on the bonnet. Furthermore, its aerodynamic body has a drag coefficient of 0.26, enabling a maximum speed of 111mph.
The Elroq blends compact exterior dimensions with a good slice of cabin space, including a roomy boot and a wealth of storage options. The interior isn’t overly complex – quite the reverse – it’s clean and appears to have intuitive infotainment features with up to a trio of digital displays. Refreshingly, the Elroq also has a strip of physical buttons, which will undoubtedly make everything easier to operate on the move. No more nearly crashing trying to look for everything buried in a digital screen.
Headroom is noteworthy at 1,056 millimetres in the front and 990 millimetres in the rear. The boot has a cargo capacity of 470 litres and will balloon to 1,580 litres if you fold the Elroq’s rear seats.
Interestingly, the steering wheel helps you remember which make of car you’re in by having Škoda lettering emblazoned on it rather than the brand logo. The Elroq is also the car for you if you're, say, a mum or dad who does the school run. Why? Besides being a compact SUV, which is great for parking in tight spots, several storage options exist. For example, a couple of additional compartments are on either side of the new car's boot – ideal for school stuff. They are part of a new bunch of Skoda's 'Simply Clever’ features, such as a stowage net for a charging cable beneath the boot lid. There is also a jumbo box, a storage tray, and a tablet holder. Oh, you also get an umbrella secreted in the driver’s door!
You will be able to select four trims - SE, SE L, Edition, and SportLine - with prices ranging from £31,500 for the SE model with a 55kWh battery, to £41,600 for the flagship SportLine, which houses an 82kWh battery.
The Elroq SE will do over 230 miles on a full charge and is kitted out with 19-inch Proteus silver alloys, LED headlights and taillights. Inside, the entry-level model has fabric and synthetic leather seats and a multifunction twin-spoke steering wheel. You also get a substantial 13-inch touchscreen, single-zone climate control, a digital cockpit and a rear-view camera. Other kit includes rear parking sensors, blind spot detection and traffic sign recognition.
Moving up to the £33,350 Elroq SE L, you'll benefit from a bigger 63kWh battery, which will see you right for 250 miles on a full charge. It also boasts more equipment, such as a heated multifunction steering wheel with paddles for brake recuperation, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. This grade also has navigation, drive mode select, front parking sensors, and a rapid charging capability of up to 145kW.
The Elroq Edition, which you can buy from £34,450 has a couple of battery choices - a 63kWh pack that delivers over 250 miles of range, and an 82kWh pack that will do up to 360 miles. The Edition grade builds on the SE L spec by adding 19-inch anthracite alloys, dark chrome window surrounds and roof rails, plus privacy glass. The model also vaunts predictive adaptive cruise control, wireless charging and keyless entry. The Elroq, with the bigger 82kWh battery, also has 175kW DC rapid charging capability.
Going up the ladder to the Elroq SportLine gives you the choice of two battery options – a 63kWh (£37,400) or 82kWh battery pack (£41,600) with ranges getting up to 258 miles and 355 miles. This top-grade Elroq sits on 20-inch black alloys and features special SportLine bumpers, gloss black door mirrors and roof rails, matrix LED headlights and a tailgate inscription. Inside, this trim level swanks microsuede and mock leather upholstery, front sports seats, carbon effect inserts, and a tri-spoke heated multifunction steering wheel. You also get paddles for brake recuperation level selection.
Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Skoda Auto, told us: “The Skoda Elroq is our first battery electric vehicle in the compact SUV segment, the fastest growing and most popular sub-segment in Europe. The Elroq is our first model to adopt the ‘Modern Solid’ design language, defined by robustness, functionality and new visual accents such as the black ‘Tech-Deck Face’. A wide choice of battery sizes and an excellent drag coefficient enable a range of up to 360 miles. The standard equipment package is extensive, including multiple state-of-the-art assistance systems. At a very competitive starting price, the Elroq is one of the most affordable vehicles in its segment across Europe, achieving price parity with its ICE counterpart in many markets.”
With the news that Toyota will slow its EV production, Skoda is bucking the trend. Depreciation is likely behind the Toyota move because EVs tend not to keep their value as well as other fuel types, on average losing 21 per cent of their value in the first year. Indeed, the average electric car owner could lose nearly half of the vehicle's value over the first three years. However, among the EVs that hold their value, the best is Skoda’s Enyaq, losing only 30 per cent of its value in the first three years or 36,000 miles. The all-new Elroq is positioned just a rung under the Enyaq, so things are already looking promising for the all-electric car – and for Skoda as a whole.
Order books open for the Elroq on 18 October 2024.
