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

When he got his first Škoda as a young driver, he didn’t expect the brand to accompany him for life. Today, he navigates the scottish countryside in his electric Škoda Enyaq, relishing the ease of maintenance, smart features, and environmental benefits that make this EV his perfect fit.
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In the newest instalment of our Škoda Enyaq owner series, Škoda Storyboard meets Domhnall Dods, 58, a telecoms lawyer from Livingston, Scotland, whose love for Škoda has spanned a lifetime. Now driving his second Enyaq, he relies on his electric Škoda for both everyday commutes and long-distance work trips. ​

Married, with a 17-year-old son, Domhnall balances family life and his work in Edinburgh with a passion for sustainability – and a remarkable loyalty to the Škoda brand. „My relationship with Škoda goes back decades,” he shares. “My dad’s best friend from school owned the main Škoda dealership in Edinburgh, so our family always drove Škodas. My first car was a 120 L, and since then, I’ve had almost every model, from the Favorit and Felicia to six different Octavias and even a Yeti.” Domhnall’s loyalty to the brand naturally extended into the electric age with his first Enyaq in 2021, and, now, the upgraded Enyaq Coupe 85

His journey into electric driving began with a small Japanese car in 2017, which, though practical, lacked the range for his long work commutes. A later experiment with an American vehicle, unfortunately, proved disappointing. “It was plagued with various faults,” he recalls, “so I was very glad to make the switch to Škoda with the Enyaq. My local dealer even let me test the Coupé version to make videos for my Enyaq YouTube channel, and six months later, he offered to sell it to me.”​​

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​​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.

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Charging routine: easy, efficient, and economical

“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 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.”

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.”

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.”

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