We did similar miles in an EV6 last year and apart from one packed service station on the first day of the French school holidays it was an absolute breeze.

You know the rules

Holidays! Travel Monkey is all set, so it's time to find out just how good a family car the @KiaUKPR EV9 is.

I went out to Germany with @lotuscars last week to see this in action. Nerdy but strangely exciting. evpowered.co.uk/news/lotus-e… via @EVPowered

Spent a fascinating morning watching the new Ford Explorer (and something else) being put together at the refitted factory in Cologne. Typically, had to leave just before the first production car was due to roll off the line

Today I will mostly be Grumpy Motor Man with a Van. A very green van

I swear that Frankfurt gives Birmingham a run for its money as the worst airport in Europe.

I went to have a sneak peek at the @KiaUKPR EV3 the other week. I suspect it's going to be pretty good. evpowered.co.uk/news/kia-ev3… via @EVPowered

I'd be quite surprised if the facelifted version of an existing electric SUV turned out to be a V12-powered hypercar.

It's odd, isn't it? In some ways, the fact it's still so good after 6 years bodes well for their next-gen EVs. But the fact it's barely been touched, and them scrapping the XJ EV make you wonder what they've been doing

I'd forgotten what a nice thing the Jaguar I-Pace is.

Right, before I try to deal with the horror of Marketplace or Gumtree, does anyone I know want an old, cheap Japanese motor? I can do you a scruffy SUV or slightly less scruffy supermini. CR-V is Mot'd til Sept, Yaris til Dec.

Oh yes, it's a problem across the entire industry but the Ora's implementation was particularly awful. My 'favourites' were the emergency lane assist that felt like Hulk Hogan was grabbing the wheel, and the screamed warning 'don't be distracted' which only served to distract me

I was ready to set fire to that thing after a week of those fecking noises. I don't know how you're going to stay sane over six months.

New mag out is in print but you can also read it on this fangled internet thing. Go on, give it a digital flick through

The new @MINI Aceman is here with five seats, two powertrain options and a price tag of around £32k. evpowered.co.uk/news/mini-ac… via @EVPowered