MG ZS EV review: running costs & insurance
Running costs for private buyers will be very low, and upcoming tax changes will make the MG ZS EV extremely attractive as a company car
| Insurance group | Warranty | Service interval | Annual company-car tax cost (20%/40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27-28 | 7yrs/80,000 miles | 1yr/15,000 miles | From £122/£244 |
Nothing about the ZS EV makes it expensive to own: electricity is cheaper than petrol, road tax is zero for the time being, company-car tax is low and even servicing will be less expensive than for the petrol equivalent. Simply put, the ZS EV will be one of cheapest-to-run family SUVs you can buy.
MG ZS EV insurance group
Like the majority of its rivals, the ZS EV falls into a higher insurance group than its petrol-powered equivalents. It attracts an insurance group rating of 27 for the base model and 28 for the rest of the line-up, which is on par with the Peugeot e-2008 and the Hyundai Kona Electric, which fall into groups 31-34 and 26-27 respectively, depending on which trim level you go for.
Warranty
MG's warranty cover is very impressive, matching Kia's seven-year duration and covering both the batteries and the car. Its mileage limit of 80,000 is not quite as high as Kia's 100,000, but electric-car drivers are less likely to cover high mileages, so the MG's cover should be very appealing to many buyers for the long-term peace of mind it offers.
Servicing
MG offers service plans on its electric cars from as little as £6 per month, with repayments spread over two to five years. The service plans cover periodic maintenance, safety inspections and 12 months' AA roadside assistance.
Road tax
As with all zero-emissions cars, the ZS EV is currently zero-rated for road tax (VED). That will come to an end in 2025, but for now it's one less bill to worry about. Electric cars also avoid the London Congestion Charge until 2025 and attract just 2% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company-car tax until the 2024/25 financial year.
Depreciation
Despite being the cheapest electric SUV you can currently buy, the MG ZS EV still starts from over £30,000 and private buyers will be keen to know how its value will hold up over time. According to the latest industry forecasts, the electric ZS is expected to retain roughly 50% of its initial asking price after three years and 36,000 miles; the similarly-priced Nissan Leaf is only forecast to hold onto between 37-41% of its value over the same period.
