My Enyaq: how one Scottish lawyer found freedom in his Škoda

Since purchasing the Enyaq Coupé 85 last July, Domhnall has already driven close to 9,800 miles, about half of which are his own. “I use the car daily for commuting into Edinburgh, as well as longer work trips that take me as far as England. Whether it’s for a quick trip to the recycling centre or a run to IKEA, the Enyaq handles it all,” he says. His home setup, complete with an air source heat pump, solar panels, and a battery system, has made owning an electric vehicle even more economical. “Charging the car in winter often means using cut-price electricity, thanks to all the wind power here in Scotland. The Enyaq has even helped lower our heating bills.”

Wind turbines are a key part of Scotland’s charging system.

As for range, Domhnall finds it ample for his lifestyle, though he rarely pushes it to the limit. “Honestly, I don’t even know the exact range because I always stop long before the car does,” he laughs. “After a couple of hours on the road, I’m usually ready for a break.” His family, too, seems to share his enthusiasm. “We don’t talk much about the car itself, but when we’re heading out, we always choose the Enyaq over my wife’s petrol car. That pretty much says it all!”

Charging routine: easy, efficient, and economical

Charging the Enyaq Coupé 85 has seamlessly integrated into Domhnall’s routine, making it both efficient and cost-effective. Most of his charging happens at home, where he takes advantage of Scotland’s abundant off-peak electricity. “I could get by charging only once a week,” he explains, “but plugging in daily to top up to 80 per cent also means the entire house benefits from off-peak power. It’s a small adjustment that helps keep the home battery full and power costs low.”

Domhnall on his travels with his electric car.

For longer trips, Domhnall has also found public charging straightforward, especially with well-priced options available. “In England, I use Ionity or Tesla chargers, and in Scotland, I rely on the Scottish Government network, ChargePlace Scotland.” He’s developed a reliable system to manage range, often using A Better Routeplanner to anticipate stops when planning long journeys. Thanks to this mindful approach, he’s never found himself in a close call. “No, I’ve never run out of juice,” he says. “Just like with a petrol car, I keep an eye on the ‘tank’ and charge whenever needed.”

His last-year’s trip to Perthshire serves as a great example of the Enyaq’s range and reliability. “We went up to see the spectacular autumn colours and an incredible light show called ‘The Enchanted Forest’. The car was flawless, handling everything with ease,” he recalls. “Despite a storm on the way home, I simply set the travel assist and let the car handle it. We covered over two hundred miles, and I still had 30 per cent charge left by the time we returned.”

The countryside’s autumn colours and the incredible light are enchanting.

As for the difference between electric and traditional combustion cars, Domhnall finds only advantages. “The quietness, smoothness, and acceleration are standout features,” he says. “And the economy of it is just fantastic. Even in the coldest month in winter, our total energy bill – including heating the house and charging the car – was £130. In comparison, my son’s Fabia costs about £60 just for one tank of petrol.”