Driving pro tests 'UK's cheapest' electric car with £6k price tag - but there's a downside
As leading manufacturers aim to cut the cost of their electric models, a UK-based company has started to offer an ultra-tiny EV for just £5,995.
A motoring expert has taken to the roads in a new all-electric microcar that is currently the cheapest new car on sale in the UK.
Jack Scarlett is one of the presenters of the Fully Charged Show and regularly uploads YouTube videos looking at the latest models and showcasing what life is like with an EV.
In a popular video, Jack gets behind the wheel of a Doogood Zero, a microcar from a UK-based startup company that features a price of just £5,995 and claims the title of "UK's cheapest new car".
He explained: "So what on earth is this thing and who on earth are Dogood? Formerly Arc Motors, it's a new British microcar company, founded around the same premise as every other microcar company.
"The modern car has become unnecessarily big, heavy and excessive. Given that, in the UK, the average journey is 20 miles and happens at [an average of] 17mph, these two-tonne tanks that we're all driving around in are a bit much."
Much like the Citroen Ami and Renault Twizy, the Dogood Zero is classed as an electric quadricycle rather than a full-sized car, meaning it is not subject to as many stringent regulations that often drive up costs.
Whilst this means that the Zero is limited to a top speed of 28mph, it is capable of carrying two adults and features a range of 50 miles.
Despite being basic, the £5,995 price also includes electric windows, a DAB digital radio with phone connectivity, a sunroof and a reversing camera.
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However, whilst the Dogood Zero is offered at a very reasonable price, Jack had some criticisms of the interior quality.
He continued: "This stereo is absolutely baffling to me. The car claims to have USB and Bluetooth connectivity but this looks like it's from a 1970s Rover, and this brings me to the overarching less-good thing about the Dogood Zero.
"It feels a little bit like a slightly hastily assembled parts bin job, which is probably exactly what it is. What I mean by that is I can still see [the] residue of the glue used to stick this Union Jack badge onto whatever actual badge is behind it on the steering wheel."
Nevertheless, taking it out on the road, Jack suggested that the small size and lack of power make the Doogood Zero incredibly fun to use on the daily commute.
He added: "All the microcar traits that we know and love are very much present and correct. The top speed is 28mph, it has three-horsepower and 50 miles of electric range.
"It's fun to be in a car this small. Sixteen miles per hour feels awfully quick in this thing, and the roads feel so big. You can position yourself for curves as you would if you're looking to kiss the apex going around Silverstone in a racing car."
