HOW BROKEN is the UK's Cheapest Electric Van?

My 2013 Kangoo ZE can't be far off being the UK's cheapest electric van - at least for a road legal one that runs and drives.
Of course, with any vehicle at the lower end of the market, there might be a problem or two to deal with....
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[@Fishbait075]

Disposable BBQ in the back of the van 30 minutes before you need to set off? haha :D

[@elongatedmush7805]

Travel hairdryer ( 12v) sorted!.... or maybe a baby log burner in the rear 😜 🔥🔥🔥

[@errcoche]

No mate. 12 volt heated parka is the thing. I never heated a car when I lived in the UK because it made me sleepy. That said I also never lived in Scotland ( well not after I moved down when I was 6 years old ).

[@chrisbailey1966]

Heated motorcycle jacket to keep you warm, and for the windscreen - anti-mist spray and good ventilation. If you block off the back of the van to keep warm, remember that the volume of air will be less to absorb the moisture. Small cars are a pain for this until the windscreen actually gets warm.

[@jamesknightreading]

There is a Dimplex oil filled radiator for £40 to collect in Swindon on ebay. Lash up some brackets to secure it in the boot, and put it on high half an hour before you set off anywhere. I suspect you might even be able to run it from the charging circuit if you get a higher current charging lead.

[@AndyJHiscock]

Are you able to see if the firmware in the van is up to date? IIRC some early LEAFs had issues with some chargers which a firmware from Nissan resolved.

[@rtfazeberdee3519]

Maybe pop down to Cleeverley Motors in Cheltenham and have a chat with them about your heater, they might have an idea or two

[@richardsedorski1206]

Brill idea.

[@davidpiper3652]

I would fit a diesel heater, before you mentioned it I was going to suggest it as a 'fix'.

[@dg115]

I'd just buy one of those cheap 12v dashboard heaters that plug into the 12v socket. At least it might help with the windscreen misting up

[@ModernHeroes]

Always assumed those were pretty useless - have you ever tried one? They’re pretty cheap though so maybe worth a go 🧐

[@dg115]

@@ModernHeroes never tried one myself but for less than £20 it's worth a shot.

[@gavjlewis]

Also add a 12v heated seat cover.

[@computerbob06]

@@ModernHeroes Maybe find some way of fitting it inside the ducting to provide heat wherever you want it? Does the van come with recirculation? Then you only need to warm the air in the cabin and it'll defrost the windscreen! Failing that, take the 'The Martian' approach and put a slowly decaying radioactive isotope in their with you........... Just knock on the gate of Faslane!

[@computerbob06]

@@ModernHeroes Check out the desertsun02 channel for super cheap DIY solutions or this link for a US guide to heating a small space...kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqnXamuYmNKEitU I love the idea of defrosting my car while heating the cabin up (as you can with BEV's) but can't afford a good EV, so was researching ways of doing it!

[@prdiffey]

Hi, We have had a Kangoo ZE for 5 years now, and it now has 52k miles. It is used to deliver medicines to folks around South Cumbria - lots of big hills and stop and start work. I would suggest you get the KanZE phone app, which will allow you to see what battery capacity you really have. Our van never did more than 60 miles on a charge when we first got it ( new/old Renault stock 200 miles on the clock but a year old. Late last year the battery capacity had dropped below 15kwh so we had it replaced under the terms of our battery contract, we now have 21kwh cap and can get 80 miles on a charge. Cold weather we see about 2.8 miles/kwh today at 10degs we are getting around around 3.7 m/kwh.. Regarding the heater first step is check the fuse - that may be a trip to a Renault service centre, as one of the fuse boxes is inaccessible and is best left to a tech person. I had a blow fuse, that was a £45 bill and a 2 hour round trip to Barrow in Furness to get the fuse changed. When the heater actually works it is very effective, about 5kw, so it burns through range in no time, an hour on full blat and our mid winter range drops from 50 miles to approx 35 miles. You definitely need to built a bulkhead behind the seats - plywood would be best, our van has a metal bulkhead I really should insulate it.. Fitting carpets ( and underfelt) will help, as the the floor - winter rain sucks out any heat you do have. I have also fitted a steering wheel cover and a 50w seat heater. That combination has greatly reduced my need for the heater when I have marginally range - then I only really use it for demist. I always wear a cap, gloves and boot - well this is sheep sh...ng country. As the van was under warranty, we have had it serviced at 20 & 40k miles, only items changed were wipers and HEPA filter. The only annoyance is the slow charging, it may suck 3.6kw, but it only actually charges at 3.0kw ( as per the CanZE app ) so the on board charger must have a very poor power factor. Pete

[@prdiffey]

and it still needs an MOT every year

[@mrc7849]

Just checking you have heard of the ‘Consumer Rights Act 2015’. I bought a diesel van a few years ago - which unbeknown to me turned out to have a slipping clutch. Following advice from WHICH - and using the Consumer Rights Act 2015, I eventually got the garage I bought it from to replace the clutch and other issues it had. You can only do this if you bought it yourself as a private purchase, and you make a complaint within three months. Don’t be fobbed off with the warranty that a garage might refer to, it has nothing to do with that. When you buy a vehicle from a garage you do have a right to it being in good working order.

[@ModernHeroes]

I didn’t buy it from a garage and was fully aware of it’s faults which were reflected in the price I paid for it.

[@neddyl1225]

It would be interesting to see if some of the suggestions in your comments might be a solution, particularly the 12V heater and seat cover.

[@ModernHeroes]

I am thinking I could do a test of some of the cheapy stuff mentioned here. Always been curious about those 12V heaters.

[@computerbob06]

@@ModernHeroes kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHm0qodqftinqLM Try watching this video (not mine). This fella's pretty 'switched on' to wallet saving heating methods! And for just 90 watts - with all that heat!

[@kevindaniels5916]

12v ptc heaters are a cheap option on ebay. Some even come with fans attached couple of those and a switch probably about £60. And could always attach an old blackout curtain over bulkhead.

[@tonytca9439]

2kw diesel heater from ebay is the answer. complete kit and remote keyfob £90. The van will lovely and warm when you get in on freezing mornings.

[@gwyningman2302]

After Driving a Twizy, so long as you can see through the windows it’s good.

[@trevorgrace6279]

I own a 2015 kangoo ze best thing to is fit for winter is aftermarket heated seats more efficient and warmer

[@paulinchris]

Asda do seem to only mark one bay for EV cars, the other is standard parking.

[@paulinchris]

Kangoo 22kwh PTC replacement heaters are £853 + VAT, excluding fitting.

[@davidsworld5837]

you could get a - 150W Winter Car Heater Cooling And Heating Defrosting Snow Demister Heater Fan on ebay. or something like it. plug in lighter plug it may be the post decides to time out after 45 min. or some one else connects to the post you are using then stops your charge when there's starts

[@bernardcharlesworth9860]

Have you tried electric cabin heater from ebay

[@davehedgehog4391]

Crying out for a Chinese diesel heater surely?

[@ModernHeroes]

It’s not very zero emissions though 😂

[@davehedgehog4391]

@@ModernHeroes in all seriousness, even the factory heater could be farting into the wind with the open bulkhead? Would running the diesel heater on veg ease your conscience any? 😂

[@ModernHeroes]

Good point - I’ve thought about getting a solid bulkhead for it. Not a fan of the mesh. Veg would definitely help a little 👀

[@avidviewer1]

Signwriting removal video? In your unique style? Oh, yes please!

[@railwaymanjohn4721]

Buy a cheap 12v electric heater and plug it into the axillary socket. As regards Pod Point, did you use the app, as you still need to log on even if its on free charge, Like my Tesco free charge by Pod Point.

[@ModernHeroes]

Definitely confirmed the charge in the app - starting to think there’s some kind of incompatibility with PodPoint since it charged just fine on the BP Pulse charger I was using when filming this!

[@keithware5314]

I would take my wife along with me and whilst she is nagging me she would produce a lot of hot air. 😁

[@Alphatone1]

Does the public charger have a timer to stop drivers over staying their welcome.

[@ModernHeroes]

Destination chargers tend only to be governed by the rules of the car park they’re in - they’re intended for people to plug into for longer periods of time. Rapid chargers tend to have overstay fees to deter charger hogging.

[@chrisrichmond403]

With the charging problem, What is the 12v battery like for health ?? Could there be a chance with the 12v battery is loosing charge and it’s knocking out charging relays hence why the charge is stopping.

[@ModernHeroes]

I don’t think so - it only seems to do it on PodPoint. The BP Pulse charger I was using here was quite happy to keep going.

[@MrPWalden]

How has it never had an MOT if it’s 8 years old?

[@ModernHeroes]

It’s exempt. Covering this in a bit more detail in the next video because a few have asked 👍

[@MrPWalden]

@@ModernHeroes just seen it! Cheers

[@andrewburgin-wild7052]

heated seats

[@robertsedgwick1629]

diseasel heater FTW

[@dereknicol5284]

Wear a coat.

[@ModernHeroes]

🙄

[@dereknicol5284]

@@ModernHeroes 😜🤣

[@johnmcconville6055]

You bought a cheap piece of junk.Buy some thermals,pay some $$ to fix it,or scrap it.Sorry can't be more constructive than that.

[@ModernHeroes]

🙄 show us on the doll where the Kangoo touched you, John!

[@johnmcconville6055]

@@ModernHeroes Take to webuyanyvan and get rid of it.How's that?