Miles more fun on the road in this EV

A straw poll of electric vehicle owners, I’m sure, would show that they don’t drive very far and generally have a home charger.

They are probably very happy with their lot and delight in never having to visit the petrol station.

Unfortunately, I don’t fit the bill. I do drive a long way and when I asked for a home charger the company wanted £9,000 because my car park space is 70m from my electricity supply.

So my experience of testing EVs is mixed to say the least. I’ve come to know by experience that the minimum mileage I need to avoid a range stress-induced migraine is a real-world 240 which by some amazing coincidence is exactly what I find when I switch on the latest EV from MG.

Fully charged, I can eke 240 miles from the new MGS5 so I can relax and enjoy the ride.

The trip computer reading that projects the range also seems to reduce slowly which is another great comfort, even in the cold with ancillary features, such as heated seats and wheel, aircon and back demist, switched on. It’s looking good.

Speaking of looking good the MGS5 does that too, especially from the front thanks to sleek nose and super-slim lights, decent proportions and pleasant silhouette.

It looks recognisably MG and that’s no bad thing because who doesn’t love an MG?

The MGS5 draws inspiration from the gorgeous Cyberster GT convertible, complete with split grille design. The LED daytime running lamps even have a chequered flag signature which is also repeated at the rear.

The interior is decent too. It is very spacious, clean and tidy. The dash is minimal and dominated by the touchscreen but there are still key knobs and buttons for features such as the heating, rear and front demists and the radio.

The central console gets two handy cupholders, a gear knob, a suede-effect carriage to charge your phone by induction and a lower level for oddments. I know a few oddments and I’m sure I could squeeze them in there.

The chunky hexagonal steering wheel is a delight to grasp and features some useful fingertip controls. So all is good in the MGS5 interior.

But it’s the drive that excels, especially in bad weather. The M6 is a river, disgusting in fact. It is pitch dark, there’s too much surface water to feel comfortable, it is windy and very cold.

Do I look bothered? No? Well, that’s because I’m not. I feel safe, the slimline lights are penetrating the gloom, there’s more than enough power to combat the elements and I’m comforted by the amount of charge remaining despite returning from the other side of the country.

Trust me it’s not always this way. The last EV I drove had to be left at home because the range barely topped the 200-mile mark and I was heading down south.

Same with the latest which can’t even make 200 and is just too much hassle to use if I have to go more than 80 miles in each direction.

So the MG, the middle of three test EVs on the trot, scores top marks with me for being a useable electric which shouldn’t trigger any headaches.

MGs are always rewarding to drive and the S5 is no exception. It is really rapid with 231PS of power available at the dab of your right big toe.

The power is instant and seamless and it will hit 60mph in six seconds. The muscular mid-range makes safe overtaking a breeze and along the twisties you can get power back in the battery by setting the regenerative braking to maximum, making S5 a one-pedal delight down country roads.

MGS5 also boasts great handling from a light, agile chassis and decent brakes.

Trophy specification comes with every safety feature and luxury imaginable and it even charges rapidly too. What’s not to like? The price is competitive as well.

If you have that same straw poll now, you can add me to the list of owners who are happy with their lot and delight in never having to visit the petrol station.