Mystery Monday: David Bizley – Choosing a new car is harder than ever

My 25th car has definitely been the most difficult to choose. Mathematicians will have already worked out that I change my car approximately every two years. Each decision is a battle between heart and head, with head normally winning by a whisker. I never have bought the E-type that I drooled over 50 years ago!

Over the last 10 years, the choice has been pretty simple. I have driven over 20,000 miles per year on motorways on business and a fuel efficient diesel was a “no brainer”. I have a passion for fly fishing so summer evenings can find me by, or maybe in, the chalk streams of Hampshire. Access often requires navigating muddy tracks and crossing fields so my current car is a Range Rover Evoque. It’s a brilliant vehicle and I would recommend it to anyone. It averages 45mpg on motorways and is a genuine 4x4 off-roader.

But I live inside the M25 and so I want a car that I can drive through London without a guilty conscience. The train is usually the best for central London but sometimes I need to drive. Today’s diesels are the cleanest ever but sadly the recent emissions scandal has masked the achievement of motor manufacturers in making cars cleaner and more fuel-efficient than was imaginable 20 years ago. But I am not sure what restrictions the new London mayor may impose and my next car will see me into retirement when fuel efficiency on motorways will be less of a priority.

I considered a pure electric vehicle. I have a fishing buddy who lives in West London and has a Nissan Leaf. He speaks highly of it but he also has a diesel 4x4 that he takes fishing. My own experience with pure electric vehicles has brought home their limitations. A few years back I participated in the RAC Future Car Challenge, an event that showcased low carbon vehicles in a run from Brighton to London. I was navigating for Edd China of Wheeler Dealers fame. Edd is a brilliant engineer and was an inspirational companion for such a journey. But for some reason the overnight charging had left us without fully charged batteries and we had to pause in West London to recharge. Range anxiety was on this occasion fully justified. I also had to remind myself that there aren’t many charging points accessible to someone in a field in the late evening in Hampshire.

That led me to plug-in hybrids. There are several power-train configurations that are badged as plug-in hybrids, with both four and two-wheel drive. The choice has been very limited until recently but the major German manufacturers have now launched plug-in hybrid versions of some of their best-selling models. The RAC champions responsible motoring and as Chief Engineer, I am often asked for advice on choosing a car. I usually change the subject. It’s difficult to buy a poor quality car these days and so much is down to personal preferences. I often point out the benefits and limitations of different low carbon options. With plug-in hybrids, fuel consumption is highly dependent on the mix of journeys undertaken so the manufacturer’s figures can be misleading.

I struggled to find a valid reason why I shouldn’t opt for a plug-in hybrid. I can forget range anxiety. I can take it into London without incurring a congestion charge and with little likelihood of being impacted by low emission zone restrictions. I can get a vehicle with four-wheel drive for when I have to cross muddy fields. And I can buy a vehicle within my budget with a £2,500 Government grant.

And finally, I will no longer have to duck and weave when asked why I am not driving an ultra low carbon vehicle when the organisation for whom I am proud to work advocates responsible and sustainable motoring.

...Only time will tell whether I got it right.