Small electric cars on Polish roads - is it worth buying?

Ecology

23 January 2023

Small electric cars - what does the Polish market offer?

A small electric car is a tempting proposition for those who are in favour of eco-friendly driving and no parking hassle. They are suitable not only for driving in congested cities, but also for trips outside the city centre. Despite their size, they are comfortable and efficient, which is why they are becoming increasingly popular among drivers. What small electric cars are available in Poland? Here are some examples of models with brief characteristics:

Fiat 500 - the compact and modern Fiat 500 allows you to drive 320 kilometres on a single charge. If you're just driving around town, it can do up to 460 kilometres. Thanks to its fast-charging function, it only needs five minutes to cover 50 kilometres. Acceleration and deceleration is possible with a single pedal. The car has the Sherpa system, which controls all the parameters of the route in such a way that it manages to reach its destination with the current battery level. Also noteworthy is the car's ability to recognise road signs and maintain the correct distance from the car in front of the Fiat. The model has parking sensors, an automatic emergency braking option and assists in staying within the lane limits;

Honda e - this car accelerates to 100 km/h in just 8 seconds and has a turning radius of just over 4 metres. The distance it can cover on a single charge varies depending on the driving mode. The battery also charges during braking, so in city driving it will be considerably more kilometres than on a longer, monotonous route. The usual figure is more than 200 kilometres. This model has an automatic parking system, heated seats and steering wheel, as well as a fast-charging option.

Smart EQ Forfour - the range of this small car is around 150 kilometres and the top speed is 130 km/h. The small size of the car will fit perfectly into urban spaces. In addition, it is one of the cheapest electric cars available. Using an app on your smartphone, you can set the desired temperature inside the car to be just right when you start your route. The rear windows on this model can be tilted;

Renault Zoe - the car can travel up to 395 kilometres on a single charge. While driving, you can make use of driving assistance systems, such as the parking assistant and the B-Mode programme, which will prove useful for getting around town. Once the smartphone app has been installed, using the car is even easier, as it allows you to locate the car in an overflow car park, among other things. The car reads traffic signs and informs you if you exceed the applicable speed limit;

Opel Corsa-e - this model has a range of 352 kilometres and is a slightly larger car than its predecessors, but still very compact and smaller than an SUV. It only needs 30 minutes of connection to a power source to reach 80% battery charge. This model has a function to alert you before a possible collision and a system that assists you in keeping the correct distance from the car in front of you. The state-of-the-art LED lights are comfortable for drivers coming from the opposite direction, while providing comfortable vision for the driver;

Nissan LEAF - is a car of similar dimensions to the Opel. Its maximum range on a single charge and a long drive is 385 kilometres. In the city, it is around 270 kilometres. Driver assistance programmes help, among other things, to keep a safe distance from other road users. Cameras make it easier to park even in challenging parking spaces.

What are the characteristics of small electric cars?

Small electric cars are characterised above all by their environmentally friendly nature. Instead of filling up with petrol at petrol stations, they have to be charged with electricity using a charger. These cars are not the cheapest, but this translates not only into the type of power supply, but also into the type of equipment and driving comfort. Small electric cars have modern interiors, including usually quite large screens for monitoring, among other things, the amount of space to park or finding nearby charging stations. This translates significantly into driving quality. Due to their compact size and the fact that the battery of small cars is usually not very large, they are recommended particularly strongly for city driving. Their small size allows them to be parked in many places, and the electric form of the vehicle means that fewer greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere from large cities. These cars produce none at all.

Is it worth buying a small electric car?

Small electric cars - unfortunately, the prices of these vehicles do not go hand in hand with their size and even for the cheapest new models in basic versions, you have to pay around PLN 100,000. Before going to the showrooms, it is also worth checking the offer of the secondary market, where the prices of electric cars may turn out to be significantly lower. It is impossible to determine unequivocally whether the purchase is worthwhile. Much depends on individual needs and preferences of the user. A small electric car will be most profitable for residents of large urban areas. It is not the best idea for journeys across Poland or Europe, as the range of such cars is rarely more than 300 kilometres on a single charge.

At the moment, there are very few charging stations in Poland, so it is actually necessary to have your own charging source for such a car. If you don't have your own garage or you don't rent space for your car, an electric car may be a problem for you. Also, if you are put off from buying one by the price of the car, it is worth checking out the possibility of subsidies. Once you have received financial support, the purchase can be much more cost-effective. Subsidies amount to as much as a dozen or several dozen thousand zlotys. The most important thing is to define your needs and priorities. If the fate of the planet is crucial to you, buying an electric car is the best choice.

Will small electric cars work well over long distances?

A small electric car is not the best choice for travelling long distances due to the fact that the battery in even the best models can power the car for around 300 kilometres. Most of the smallest cars can realistically drive about half that distance. Small electric city cars are also not very compact, so they are not very suitable for journeys in which you need to carry a lot of luggage. If you are nevertheless planning longer journeys with your electric car, it is worth choosing models with a fast charging option so that you can get back on the road as quickly as possible if you lose power. If you are interested in an electric car in Poland that will allow you to travel across the country, it is better to choose from models from brands such as Tesla, Volkswagen or Ford.

What should you look for when buying a small electric car?

Small electric car - price is one of the main criteria when choosing an electric car. Unfortunately, it has to be admitted that these vehicles are quite expensive, while petrol versions can be bought much cheaper. Therefore, the first thing to consider is where to buy an electric car. The cost of buying a car straight from the showroom will be much higher than the cost of a used car.

Pay attention to the size of the car and the capacity of the boot. Even some small models have quite a lot of space inside. It is also worth checking out additional features such as driving assistance systems or the ability to control certain functions via an app on your phone. A very important consideration is the maximum range of the car, as this will determine how often you will need to plug the car in for charging. If you are buying a used car, be sure to check the condition of the battery. If the battery is damaged, buying such a car is strongly discouraged. This is because such a failure is highly expensive to repair.

Electric cars are still quite rare in Poland, but they are a thriving segment of transport that plays a very important role in environmental efforts. A small electric car is an excellent way to get around town in an environmentally friendly and efficient way. Currently, the largest number of charging stations for electrics in Poland is located in Warsaw. You already know the characteristics of small electric cars, whether it is worth buying them and what to pay attention to when choosing a specific model. Time to start looking!