Adventures in an all electric vehicle.

[Morrisman]

They did?
When?
Only time I've had locking wheel bolts/nuts was when I bought and fitted them.

I thought alloys were so common that people didn't even bother stealing them any more.

My Mondeo has steel wheels, with plastic trims, and no lock nuts. If anybody stole them it would be for the tyres..... £45 cheapies.

 

[Kayos]

I successfully completed a journey of 220 miles on Tuesday. One charge stop that was seamless and very quick. On Wednesday I made the reverse journey, this included a charge stop at another location as my hotel had very cheap overnight charging (cheaper than charging at home)

If I and indeed all the EV owners in here posted every successful and hassle free journey I fear the forum would be over run, and of course far less interesting than the "it was better in the old days" type responses

Yes, let's get rid of the wind turbines, EVs and solar panels and continue burning fossil fuel. Let's bring back Cholera, Small Pox and Polio while we are at it, just like in the old days

 

[northwest]

I think some of the authors on here have the wrong end of the stick, I for one would certainly have an EV as my daily driver, it makes perfect sense, one charge would probably do me for the month, I personally think they are a terrific idea and the gadgets and gizmo's the Volvo is equipped with is just mind boggling.

I think the point you are all missing is my conclusion that the whole support is very very infantile, and yes, I get it, back in 1800 before the war there weren't many petrol stations and people had to find them on their journey. The point I would make though is that this isn't 1893 it is the 21st Century and we are the "connected world" so I cannot see any excuse, they can make a "App" for the thing but cannot actually make it work, come on! £120 out of the bank and no charge, no excuse either I am afraid, they took it out fast enough, they can put it back just as fast.

No, greed has to step in and bugger things up, always will, always does.

 

[Kayos]

I've never been charged more than £35 using tap and go, and the amount charged was immediately updated once complete, just like pay at pump petrol stations. £120 sounds excessive as even charging a monster 100kwh battery at £1 per kWh would only be £100 (and very unrealistic)

I agree, the multitude of apps is frustrating but I also have an RFID card linked to my VW account. I don't even check if it's accepted, I just try it at every new charge point. Works more often than expected and I get a monthly invoice

Being honest, I got the EV for 2 reasons
1. Because I could
2. Because the BIK tax is 2%

RFL isnt a concern for me, if it comes it comes.

Some will never have one and that's fine, they are not suitable for everyone and that's fine as well

Unless you have driven one, I recommend not using the Daily Mail as your source of information

 

[sako243]

Point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t and have a half decent range (at least 150 miles while towing said load up Welsh roads) then I might consider one. Actually scratch that point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t...

It's horses for courses and everybody has different requirements. Down here I'm at least once a week towing with a minimum of 1.5t and the flattest road out of my place has a 300 yard 1 in 4 but doesn't go in a direction that's useful to anyone. The next is a 200 yard 1 in 3 climb which does go somewhere useful.

But I'm am oddball - if I was back in Surrey an electric vehicle might have made sense but then all the local journeys I could have walked, cycled or got public transport. That's what needs improving is the convenience and cost of public transport. If there was a reliable and cost effective way for me to go to Scotland or London via the train then I probably would. When I can drive to London (towing) in a 4.4TDV8 Range Rover cheaper than I can get a train ticket for then something is majorly wrong with the system.

 

[daleyd]

I don’t think anyone’s missed that point, it certainly shouldn’t happen - but from others experiences it doesn’t seem to be a common situation.

I think what’s frustrating is that people then jump on things like this and then ram it down your throat that the whole thing is doomed to failure, despite the fact that the vast majority use them with no issues whatsoever.

As said, they’re not for everyone, there’s always going to be cases where they just won’t fit into whatever use case you have.

 

[addjunkie]

I think some of the authors on here have the wrong end of the stick, I for one would certainly have an EV as my daily driver, it makes perfect sense, one charge would probably do me for the month, I personally think they are a terrific idea and the gadgets and gizmo's the Volvo is equipped with is just mind boggling.

I think the point you are all missing is my conclusion that the whole support is very very infantile, and yes, I get it, back in 1800 before the war there weren't many petrol stations and people had to find them on their journey. The point I would make though is that this isn't 1893 it is the 21st Century and we are the "connected world" so I cannot see any excuse, they can make a "App" for the thing but cannot actually make it work, come on! £120 out of the bank and no charge, no excuse either I am afraid, they took it out fast enough, they can put it back just as fast.

No, greed has to step in and bugger things up, always will, always does.

I must admit, I do find all this app stuff frustrating……car parking….is another example of multiple apps. By all means have cashless ticket machines, tap the card. But just dint see the need for app after app…..to me its just fashion. But then Im old and dont like gadjets at the best of times.

But have been impressed by the two electric cars Ive driven, and they will get better.

 

[bricol]

Point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t and have a half decent range (at least 150 miles while towing said load up Welsh roads) then I might consider one. Actually scratch that point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t...

Rivian R1T Range When Towing: The Truth

How far can an R1T go on a single charge when pulling 7,000 lbs? All-Electric Family decided to find out.

insideevs.com

 

[bricol]

Agree with all except one bit - BEVs have been around at least 26 years!. I know this because in 97 I spent some time in LA and went for a drive in a GM “EV1” - looked like a mini E type. At that time they had a few and employees could book them to take them home for the night. The chap I was staying with had his night while I was there. From memory it was quick but very limited battery life - obviously things have moved on! I seem to remember some controversy about it being a project intentionally failed in order to prove they were not feasible. I don’t think they ever went to market though could be wrong on that.

Somewhere I have a picture of a Honda electric thingie back in 2002 up in the mountains somewhere around LA on an old highway bypassed by a modern freeway - couple doing the same scenic detour into nowhere I was.

 

[James1979]

Point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t and have a half decent range (at least 150 miles while towing said load up Welsh roads) then I might consider one. Actually scratch that point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t...

It's horses for courses and everybody has different requirements. Down here I'm at least once a week towing with a minimum of 1.5t and the flattest road out of my place has a 300 yard 1 in 4 but doesn't go in a direction that's useful to anyone. The next is a 200 yard 1 in 3 climb which does go somewhere useful.

But I'm am oddball - if I was back in Surrey an electric vehicle might have made sense but then all the local journeys I could have walked, cycled or got public transport. That's what needs improving is the convenience and cost of public transport. If there was a reliable and cost effective way for me to go to Scotland or London via the train then I probably would. When I can drive to London (towing) in a 4.4TDV8 Range Rover cheaper than I can get a train ticket for then something is majorly wrong with the system.

That’s where I’m at really.

I don’t think I’d ever have one but that’s because 1, they don’t make one that is suitable for what I do and need and 2, if they did make one I wouldn’t trust their figure enough to punt £50k on one to see.

I can buy my current truck and a lot of diesel for £50k

 

[not done it yet]

BEVs have been around at least 26 years!

Well, if you want to get really picky, they were first seriously used over a hundred years ago (but thanks Pedro). Fell out of favour as oil products and ICE engines developed in the early years of the 20th century.

Milk floats have been around a very long time. They virtually fell out of favour by about 25 years ago.

Electric toy cars have been around a very long time - whether similar to scalextric or mechanised ’pedal‘ type toys. My first (which I still have - but with no guide track for it - was a christmas prezzie in the later 1950s.

The Enfield 8000 electric car was introduced during, or after, the 1973 oil shortage (perhaps look up the Jonny Smith project where he converted his to a veritable road-going monster - sponsored (in part?) by Adrian Flux Insurance).

The Sinclair C5 came along early in 1985.

The Nissan Leaf was first introduced in 2010, but not too common (and not in the UK), after Musk introduced his first BEV in 2008, but let’s be a bit more sensible about the ‘general’ introduction in reasonable numbers. 10 years was just an approximate round number, without being precise. But as you commented, the above may be a bit of education for you.

 

[addjunkie]

Point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t and have a half decent range (at least 150 miles while towing said load up Welsh roads) then I might consider one. Actually scratch that point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t...

It's horses for courses and everybody has different requirements. Down here I'm at least once a week towing with a minimum of 1.5t and the flattest road out of my place has a 300 yard 1 in 4 but doesn't go in a direction that's useful to anyone. The next is a 200 yard 1 in 3 climb which does go somewhere useful.

But I'm am oddball - if I was back in Surrey an electric vehicle might have made sense but then all the local journeys I could have walked, cycled or got public transport. That's what needs improving is the convenience and cost of public transport. If there was a reliable and cost effective way for me to go to Scotland or London via the train then I probably would. When I can drive to London (towing) in a 4.4TDV8 Range Rover cheaper than I can get a train ticket for then something is majorly wrong with the system.

Towing yes I agree, but even normal cars towing loads seem to be reducing except for the few normal contenders.

Public transport is another area that needs far far more joined up thinking, like Holland. Here we seem to just mess about trying to put sticking plasters onto victorian infrastructure and wonder why its expensive and not very good.
Oh yes and there always on strike for more money than Nurses with far far less skills and education. But thats a different and almost political debate.

 

[James1979]

Think I’ve put this on other EV thread, can’t remember, but brother (in Sweden) has had his car licence upgraded to 4250kg for “alternate propulsion vehicle”

Europe wide thing he tells me.

 

[Kayos]

I don’t think anyone’s missed that point, it certainly shouldn’t happen - but from others experiences it doesn’t seem to be a common situation.

I think what’s frustrating is that people then jump on things like this and then ram it down your throat that the whole thing is doomed to failure, despite the fact that the vast majority use them with no issues whatsoever.

As said, they’re not for everyone, there’s always going to be cases where they just won’t fit into whatever use case you have.

Having recently met some "slightly older" relatives, one of whom is the font of knowledge on all subjects, the doomed to failure thing is alive and well.

He spent a good 30 minutes explaining how EVs were rubbish, didn't work, couldn't do 40 miles without a 5 hour charge etc etc

I kept quiet. When we left the restaurant it turned out he had parked next to me, maybe that triggered the rant?

I happily told him and everyone who had been there that this was my EV, we had driven 50 miles, were doing another 20 plus the return trip and would not need to charge until we got home.

Everyone else was very impressed with how nice it was and seemed a little surprised I wasn't running around crying because I wasn't within 5 foot of a charger

The font of all knowledge kept very quiet, in fact he returned to his beloved car and waited patiently for my Auntie to join him

 

[not done it yet]

Point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t and have a half decent range (at least 150 miles while towing said load up Welsh roads) then I might consider one.

Very easy to help you out (you could have easily researched it yourself, mind, instead of making yet another silly post.

Rivian. Tows ~5 tonnes with a range of over 300 miles. At present you would need to import it.

edit: Bricol got there first. Just shows how little people are really interested in finding out for themselves.
Mine will only tow about a tonne and a half (I have had a towbar fitted).

 

[daleyd]

Point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t and have a half decent range (at least 150 miles while towing said load up Welsh roads) then I might consider one. Actually scratch that point me out an electric vehicle that can tow 3.5t...

It's horses for courses and everybody has different requirements. Down here I'm at least once a week towing with a minimum of 1.5t and the flattest road out of my place has a 300 yard 1 in 4 but doesn't go in a direction that's useful to anyone. The next is a 200 yard 1 in 3 climb which does go somewhere useful.

But I'm am oddball - if I was back in Surrey an electric vehicle might have made sense but then all the local journeys I could have walked, cycled or got public transport. That's what needs improving is the convenience and cost of public transport. If there was a reliable and cost effective way for me to go to Scotland or London via the train then I probably would. When I can drive to London (towing) in a 4.4TDV8 Range Rover cheaper than I can get a train ticket for then something is majorly wrong with the system.

You could miss out the ev bit and just say that 95% of cars on the road aren’t suitable for your needs.

 

[daleyd]

Having recently met some "slightly older" relatives, one of whom is the font of knowledge on all subjects, the doomed to failure thing is alive and well.

He spent a good 30 minutes explaining how EVs were rubbish, didn't work, couldn't do 40 miles without a 5 hour charge etc etc

I kept quiet. When we left the restaurant it turned out he had parked next to me, maybe that triggered the rant?

I happily told him and everyone who had been there that this was my EV, we had driven 50 miles, were doing another 20 plus the return trip and would not need to charge until we got home.

Everyone else was very impressed with how nice it was and seemed a little surprised I wasn't running around crying because I wasn't within 5 foot of a charger

The font of all knowledge kept very quiet, in fact he returned to his beloved car and waited patiently for my Auntie to join him

The father in law was full of glee when we told him we’d decided to get one, we had the usual stories of range anxiety, being stuck in snow drifts for 6 hours and freezing to death, not being able to use it to go on holiday, attacks by giant octopus etc etc. (I may have made the last one up but it seemed to go with all the other unlikely scenarios that seemed to crop up…)

18 months on, and although it was a leap into the unknown I’d be more than happy to make the same decision again.

 

[mtt.tr]

Horses for courses.


I don't hang pictures with a sledge hammer.

 

[Kayos]

Horses for courses.


I don't hang pictures with a sledge hammer.

I do, must be where you are going wrong

 

[not done it yet]

18 months on, and although it was a leap into the unknown I’d be more than happy to make the same decision again.

Shock, horror! Wales has, reportedly, the worst Charging station availability of any part of the UK and you went BEV! Whatever next! How can you possibly cope without public charging stations just around the corner?

I have a similar situation with my younger brother and his son. While his vehicle use would likely be very marginal, at the best - he is an agricultural contractor - he still decries BEVs on every aspect he can think of and refuses to accept the truth instead of the conspiracy theories. Whatever I might explain, his merc 480 is superior in every way imaginable; his son, with his merc 280, is just the same. They will never change (well, my brother won’t - at his age).

Thirty five years ago, we both drove fast petrols (and land rovers, too). He then changed his top-of-the-range escort for a diesel peugeot 305 estate - and never really changed back to a petrol vehicle - because he could travel the 150+ miles to his wife’s relatives in only 5 minutes longer and at a hugely reduced fuel cost. But I can’t see him changing, at over 70 years old - and he would obvious ’lose face’ if he did

I changed to diesel in 1987.

I’ve seen the advantages of electric for some time (yes, I do my research!) and have had the luck to buy one a couple of months ago. I’m definitely not changing back!