Car choice: A car for a city that is going electric-only? Is the Nissan Leaf the obvious one to go for?

Need a new or used car but not sure which make or model? Ask James Ruppert

The Nissan Leaf Acenta comes with a free home charger (Nissan)

Annie Brigstock lives near Oxford, which is proposing to ban all non-electric cars by 2020. Should she buy one?

A Car for the Head

It may be too early to buy before the rules come into place as the electric-only plan seems very ambitious in any case. However, if Annie only uses her vehicle for local commutes, perhaps an electric car could make some sense in its own right, so let’s look at some options. The obvious choice is a Nissan Leaf, which established the market for a pure electric car. Nissan are offering a used Leaf Acenta for a £175 deposit, with Nissan chipping in £1,000 and then £175 a month over three years. That also includes a 12-month warranty and a free Home Charging Unit which is worth £390.

The Zoe’s funky looks are available at a lower cost than its Nissan rival (Renault)

A Car for the Heart

Then again, Annie might like the funky looks of the Renault Zoe, which is cheaper to buy brand new. Comparing the Renault and Nissan directly, there are pros and cons for both, but overall the Zoe is the better value buy. There are some dealers offering a brand new example at £82.95 a month. That would be a two-year deal and the buyer pays a £995 deposit with the option to pay £5,367 to buy outright or just hand the car back. There is also a £99 finance facility fee.

If you would like James Ruppert to help with your car choice, email james@bangernomics.com. For more motoring views visit freecarmag.com