Adventures in an all electric vehicle.

[Bullet2012]

 

[dobbslc]

Bit harsh to just wipe out car ownership from anyone who lives in a high rise just because ... they live in a high rise though...? Although Sadiq is pretty much saying poor people cannot own a car if they live within the M25 so I guess he has paved the way for sweeping policies like this that remove choice from normal people.

Unless Londoners wake up and start protesting!

Sadiq - well transport for london - not too keen on motorcycles either - erasing all the parking bays.

I thought motorcycles were a good thing for congestion.

Motorcycles are such an alien concept for many politicians they really dont care one way or the other.

There are some fit 55yr old MILFs about ....

Don't rule out the GILFs...

 

[minimutly]

Doing a fair bit of research at motorway services this week end at the EV charging bays ( we get our Citroen Brlingo EV on Tuesday & hand back the 2.2 turbo diesel drunkard ) everyone of the dozen or more drivers we spoke to who were either about to get into their EV or were sat outside in the sunshine said that the problem of having to have multiple apps to get a charge has all but disappeared in the last 10 months , as most are now wipe the card and charge machines so good if you don't have a smart phone . The four Tesla drivers were brilliant , a wealth of info , none of the EV drivers we spoke to ever want to return to gas & oil burners . Most did the majority of their charging at home and were only service station charging because of long distance journeys , two of the drivers had access to their big power walls at home which helped a lot , five of the drivers worked mainly from home .

All of them said it is a step change from the old way of driving and takes a few days to get comfortable with using them . The biggest thing that they all said is you need a few seconds to plan new journeys to places you've not visited in an EV to find and record the charging places as it stops run out of battery power anxiety & there are several good apps that now contain such info .

To be fair, this is no different to when I used to run my mgv6 back and forth up to north and east wales. Sure, filling up was slower than Petrol, not as slow as EV though. I'm not sure I would appreviate 45 minutes at Welshpool, Oswestry or Newtown on a winters evening.

 

[Smallfry]

Thats quite ageist……55 year old women are young birds to many of us, with or with out a charging point to plug into

I know, but when you were 18, mid fifties was positively ancient. Women of this age generally dress and look a lot younger nowadays too, or is it just a sign of getting old

 

[Smallfry]

This thread is going on and on, like the gift that keeps on giving.
There was a Panorama programme on BBC tonight about EVs which was interesting.

As I have said, I run three old diesel vans. As has been said on here, I COULD, I really could, use an EV for my short, non load carrying journeys, and it really wouldnt be a problem, as I have space to keep and charge it.

But for me, the bottom line is the cost. Not so much the electricity to charge it, but the outlay to buy the thing in the first place, and for me, that makes it a complete non starter. From that point of view, there is nothing further to discuss or argue about. At the moment, they are very much a rich persons thing.

 

[redlig]

I know, but when you were 18, mid fifties was positively ancient. Women of this age generally dress and look a lot younger nowadays too, or is it just a sign of getting old

What do you think?

 

[addjunkie]

But for me, the bottom line is the cost. Not so much the electricity to charge it, but the outlay to buy the thing in the first place, and for me, that makes it a complete non starter. From that point of view, there is nothing further to discuss or argue about. At the moment, they are very much a rich persons thing.

some EVs are cheap in comparison to the ever popular Rangie at 699 a month or Disco for that matter. Rich and poor is a relative thing. I think the point is long term value for money. In reality they are still relatively unproven. Its not uncommon for a van, pick up or normal car to be bimbling along at 15 years old it may have had several owners but the cost per year is far less than something full of expensive tech thats not cost effective to repair at 7 or 8 years old.

And while on the subject of cost effective Ive been invited to test drive an Ineos Grenadier!

 

[premmington]

some EVs are cheap in comparison to the ever popular Rangie at 699 a month or Disco for that matter. Rich and poor is a relative thing. I think the point is long term value for money. In reality they are still relatively unproven. Its not uncommon for a van, pick up or normal car to be bimbling along at 15 years old it may have had several owners but the cost per year is far less than something full of expensive tech thats not cost effective to repair at 7 or 8 years old.

And while on the subject of cost effective Ive been invited to test drive an Ineos Grenadier!

WE not sure if the these modern BEVS/PHEVS will make 7/8yrs? They not got there yet...?

But plenty of old Toyota Prius's still about - but this was year 2000 tech!

Toyota Prius sales UK 2000-2018| Statista

Sales of Prius cars in the United Kingdom peaked in 2010 at 10,537 units sold.

www.statista.com

I think at the point people who buy into BEVS in general - do lower mileage - so they may have a sporting chance.

 

[Ubique]

...From that point of view, there is nothing further to discuss or argue about. At the moment, they are very much a rich persons thing.

Well, there's hardly any that are going out as outright sales where I work, most are 'virtue signallers' with a PCP or other lease, we do see a lot of BEV company cars, presumably taking advantage of the low company car tax rate.
What does make me chuckle is when they're parking up in the morning, they're usually followed into the carpark by someone in an old diesel-burner hatchback (presumably their second car) then whisked away to do whatever they fill their day with.

 

[GRW]

This thread is going on and on, like the gift that keeps on giving.
There was a Panorama programme on BBC tonight about EVs which was interesting.

As I have said, I run three old diesel vans. As has been said on here, I COULD, I really could, use an EV for my short, non load carrying journeys, and it really wouldnt be a problem, as I have space to keep and charge it.

But for me, the bottom line is the cost. Not so much the electricity to charge it, but the outlay to buy the thing in the first place, and for me, that makes it a complete non starter. From that point of view, there is nothing further to discuss or argue about. At the moment, they are very much a rich persons thing.

I watched that Panorama programme.
The presenter was a pretty laid-back guy (& clearly well aware not to rock the boat too hard & deviate from "the direction", plus it's the Beeb)..... but he couldnt hide the frustration of Charging hassles on his journey.
A few low-key but very valid tidbits like we are at no more than 10% of the Charging network (with 7-yrs till no new ICE's), and that many chargers don't work/are expensive to use, and that network power distribution & supply is a serious problem.
A massive infrastructure investment (saving the planet huh ) is badly needed, but (surprise!) our Govt isn't doing anything like enough to see that it's addressed.
In short - the UK isn't ready for the EV revolution, and isn't likely to be anywhere close by 2030.

 

[addjunkie]

In short - the UK isn't ready for the EV revolution, and isn't likely to be anywhere close by 2030.

theres always a difference between fantasy and reality…….

 

[brewdexta]

Just sat in my EV reading this......

 

[reb78]

Just sat in my EV reading this......

Run out of juice so need something to do?

 

[Smallfry]

some EVs are cheap in comparison to the ever popular Rangie at 699 a month or Disco for that matter. Rich and poor is a relative thing. I think the point is long term value for money. In reality they are still relatively unproven. Its not uncommon for a van, pick up or normal car to be bimbling along at 15 years old it may have had several owners but the cost per year is far less than something full of expensive tech thats not cost effective to repair at 7 or 8 years old.

And while on the subject of cost effective Ive been invited to test drive an Ineos Grenadier!

It IS a relative thing. But for me it is not even about long term value for money. It is purely because I do not have anything like that sort of money so spend. I would never, ever have a vehicle on any sort of lease, because I do not like debt (and it is debt) and I will not pay any more than £1500 for a vehicle nowadays, especially ones with unproven longevity and used values. Plus of course, the goalposts keep moving.

If you are considering a Grenadier, there is a tax issue with them if you want to run it as a commercial, which Ineos do not want to address. They are nice to drive I hear, but the front is ugly

 

[Smallfry]

I watched that Panorama programme.
The presenter was a pretty laid-back guy (& clearly well aware not to rock the boat too hard & deviate from "the direction", plus it's the Beeb)..... but he couldnt hide the frustration of Charging hassles on his journey.
A few low-key but very valid tidbits like we are at no more than 10% of the Charging network (with 7-yrs till no new ICE's), and that many chargers don't work/are expensive to use, and that network power distribution & supply is a serious problem.
A massive infrastructure investment (saving the planet huh ) is badly needed, but (surprise!) our Govt isn't doing anything like enough to see that it's addressed.
In short - the UK isn't ready for the EV revolution, and isn't likely to be anywhere close by 2030.

Maybe they should cancel HS2 in its entirety, and spend the money on this instead ? Far more use to many more people. You DON'T need to be anywhere 15 minutes faster, and the EV ethos proves this !

 

[brewdexta]

Run out of juice so need something to do?

Quite the opposite, just taken the dog down the canal, then to the dog cafe in between going to RDG tools for a browse. But I'll make sure my home charger hasn't imploded when I get home

While Peggy is tucking into her dog scone.

I'm contemplating what to do with the Ford Ranger when the lease is up in November.

I'm thinking keep it, but with a warranty for a couple of years while I convert a series Land Rover to EV.

 

[Agrismith]

Maybe they should cancel HS2 in its entirety, and spend the money on this instead ? Far more use to many more people. You DON'T need to be anywhere 15 minutes faster, and the EV ethos proves this !

If your going to cancel hs2 the far better option would be to start reinstating the beeching lines

 

[brewdexta]

Without asking for quotes, a quick look indicates fully installed kits for conversion of series or defenders range between 28k and 50+k. The lower end give you a low voltage 7kW charging set up married to existing gearbox and without weatherproofing so wading is restricted and circa 60kWh of battery, The top end gives you high voltage CCS fast charging, bigger battery/motor full weatherproofing and either direct to existing gearbox, or to the transfer box if you want auto.

Here's an interesting site https://www.electrogenic.co.uk/cars

So, I could keep my ranger at end of the lease, sell it and release the equity, its only done 14k in 3 years, and get the agricultural conversion of a defender, I don't need HV fast charging, I only charge at home, I only need 120 mile range. Although I have got used to auto boxes recently, I can do without it, I would need to find a half decent 110 double cab, pref with galv chassis. Or I could go the full monty.

I'm charging our Leaf EV now, 3.5kW is coming from solar, 3.5kW from the grid. I'm just about to look into reducing charging rate one the Leaf or charger so I can get more from solar.

I'll mull it over.

 

[premmington]

Well, there's hardly any that are going out as outright sales where I work, most are 'virtue signallers' with a PCP or other lease, we do see a lot of BEV company cars, presumably taking advantage of the low company car tax rate.
What does make me chuckle is when they're parking up in the morning, they're usually followed into the carpark by someone in an old diesel-burner hatchback (presumably their second car) then whisked away to do whatever they fill their day with.

I don't know anybody who has bought one outright - nobody!

Everybody I know with one is a PCP renter - getting ECO tax/company car relief (I can understand this).

 

[reb78]

Without asking for quotes, a quick look indicates fully installed kits for conversion of series or defenders range between 28k and 50+k. The lower end give you a low voltage 7kW charging set up married to existing gearbox and without weatherproofing so wading is restricted and circa 60kWh of battery, The top end gives you high voltage CCS fast charging, bigger battery/motor full weatherproofing and either direct to existing gearbox, or to the transfer box if you want auto.

Here's an interesting site https://www.electrogenic.co.uk/cars

So, I could keep my ranger at end of the lease, sell it and release the equity, its only done 14k in 3 years, and get the agricultural conversion of a defender, I don't need HV fast charging, I only charge at home, I only need 120 mile range. Although I have got used to auto boxes recently, I can do without it, I would need to find a half decent 110 double cab, pref with galv chassis. Or I could go the full monty.

Those prices for the conversions are just bonkers...!