Christmas is coming,
The goose is getting fat,
My Ampera’s gone back to Vauxhall,
And I’m not very happy about that.

I have spent 3,200 very comfortable and quiet miles in our long-term electric range-extender Vauxhall Ampera over the past few months and its departure has left me feeling decidedly unfestive.

It has been a very revealing and rewarding journey, with one of the most enlightening aspects of long-term EV use being that I am not really looking forward to going back to a standard internal combustion engine.

Fast, silent acceleration and cruising has become an everyday delight. Travel has been so much smoother, less noisy and tiresome than standard cars.

There are clear fuel cost and tax benefits to EV travel, particularly for a company car driver who doesn’t have to worry about the uncertain depreciation curve for alternative fuel cars.

The Ampera costs three pence per mile in fuel compared to around 9ppm in an equivalent diesel.

I just think an EV is a nicer car to drive on a daily basis. It’s more relaxing, more comfortable and it’s the quietest ride this side of Santa’s sleigh.

Clearly there are other factors, but I would recommend at least spending some time with the car. You might agree with me that it’s a (Christmas) cracker.