Volvo and the allure of EVs

Times are changing for drivers

Last autumn, after my wife started a new job 25 minutes' drive away, I bit the bullet and bought a second car for the family. I did my research—as most of us do: after a house, a car is often the biggest purchase we'll make. I wanted an electric vehicle (EV). Her drive is daily and the range on all but the puniest of battery-fired engines would have coped. I craved a Tesla or BMW but having more sense than money the choice came down to a Nissan Leaf or a Nissan Leaf with a slightly bigger battery. No-go. The Leaf's a nice car and cheap by Tesla standards—but not by diesel ones. The hassle of finding charging points, installing one at home, lingering doubts about reliability (so-called "range