The all things EV chat thread

[ColchesterFC]

Id personally go EV , with a charger as you could possibly get a deal with one included.

Considering your moving , that could change because nobody knows about the global economy, we could get some issue that sets you back say 2 years and then your there 5 years and missed out savings etc

I would leave solar and battery until your in your new house tho because if you are moving the saving is better long term

I'd go EV first because you save more from solar and battery on an Ev tariff

That's just from personal experience

So what do I look to get? I've got absolutely no idea where to start looking. Will be buying rather than leasing, probably second hand although that's dependent on price and any finance deals I can get. Can probably pay 15k cash including trade in on C-Max or use that as the deposit on a new car. Current car is Ford C-Max so nothing smaller than that, got to fit Mrs Colch, two teenagers and a dog. Range isn't massively important as we'll keep the diesel for the big trips but over 150 miles on 80% charge would be minimum for trips to see my mum. Not bothered about getting golf clubs in the boot as that's what the Zafira will be for.

 

[PJ87]

So what do I look to get? I've got absolutely no idea where to start looking. Will be buying rather than leasing, probably second hand although that's dependent on price and any finance deals I can get. Can probably pay 15k cash including trade in on C-Max or use that as the deposit on a new car. Current car is Ford C-Max so nothing smaller than that, got to fit Mrs Colch, two teenagers and a dog. Range isn't massively important as we'll keep the diesel for the big trips but over 150 miles on 80% charge would be minimum for trips to see my mum. Not bothered about getting golf clubs in the boot as that's what the Zafira will be for.

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Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Last one might not meet the range quota on 80%

But those are where I'd start looking

Didn't put down my Kona as it's a bit small in th
e back seats

 

[jim8flog]

Do they? Mine are the same you buy for any car but they are XL load rated which many other cars use

You can get EV tyres but they seem more of a fad to get you to spend more money

My vauxhall tyres did 28k miles and had 3mm tread front and 5mm tread back after 3 years just standard premium brand

The tyres on my 2008 are a very different profile to the ones I had on either of my 308s.
From the top of my head they are are more rounded profile and are eco tyres by which I understand to mean less rolling resistance.

Given that I only drive 6-8k a year going to be a long time to spot any difference.

 

[jim8flog]

I was in the Peugeot dealer yesterday and noticed there were signs for Peugeot grants towards the costs of switching to an EV.

 

[PJ87]

The tyres on my 2008 are a very different profile to the ones I had on either of my 308s.
From the top of my head they are are more rounded profile and are eco tyres by which I understand to mean less rolling resistance.

Given that I only drive 6-8k a year going to be a long time to spot any difference.

Eco tyres: how are they different? | RAC Drive

Have you ever wondered how modern eco tyres differ from normal rubber? Well, as you’d imagine, it’s interesting science.

www.rac.co.uk

That's just eco tyres tho, rather than EV tyres which are the empires new clothes

Eco tyres work and are what I'd put on my EV

 

[Slime]

Considering it's actually an offense to cycle on the pavement I think we can chalk that one down to jog on cyclists

There's a pavement near me that's a designated cycle lane, obviously not illegal, but the cyclists continue to use the road.

 

[cliveb]

Having checked the last two MOT certificates for my current car I'm coming round to the idea of getting myself an EV. Last year I did 4100 miles in my car, the year before that was 4400 miles. Working offshore for 6 months of the year certainly cuts down on my driving distances. Having said that Mrs Colch only did just over 5000 miles in her car in each of the last two years. Based on that mileage I could easily get rid of my car for an EV and keep Mrs Colch's diesel Zafira for towing and longer trips. It does seem a shame to get rid of my car that has only done just over 80000 miles but I'm certainly seeing the attraction of the EV route, especially as I can charge on my drive and am already with Octopus who have some decent EV tariffs.

The only thing holding me back is that we're likely to move house in the next two to three years which would mean having to get a new charger fitted. Torn between pulling the trigger now and waiting until we move and then going for it. Also need to decide if I'd be better off getting solar panels and a battery fitted first and then going for EV or the other way round, which comes back to whether it's worth doing now or waiting until we move and getting solar at the new house. Third option I suppose is to go EV now with home charger and then getting solar once we move. Decisions, decisions.

I know the price of secondhand EVs has dropped recently, but they are still quite a bit more expensive than an equivalent petrol car. Think carefully about how many miles you need to travel before you recoup that difference. At less than 5000 miles per year, it could be a long time.

 

[PJ87]

I know the price of secondhand EVs has dropped recently, but they are still quite a bit more expensive than an equivalent petrol car. Think carefully about how many miles you need to travel before you recoup that difference. At less than 5000 miles per year, it could be a long time.

Why is it always about recoup? If that mattered he could just keep his current car.

 

[road2ruin]

There's a pavement near me that's a designated cycle lane, obviously not illegal, but the cyclists continue to use the road.

We have the same in our area and few cyclists use it although to be fair to them I am not sure I would either. The cycle lane is rarely flat as it goes along pavements with dropped curbs plus you have the constant issue of cars coming out of driveways. If I were a cyclist I think I'd probably use the road as well!

 

[ColchesterFC]

Why is it always about recoup? If that mattered he could just keep his current car.

That is also a consideration. It's a 12 plate but only done 80000 miles. With my current level of usage it could do me for another 10 years minimum. Need to weigh up the pros and cons of getting rid of it and savings/recoup does come into that.

 

[cliveb]

Why is it always about recoup? If that mattered he could just keep his current car.

Indeed he could, and that's what I'd do in his place.
I get it that some people do it to save the planet. Good for them.
But most of us are more concerned about the cost of living.

 

[bobmac]

Do you really need a home charger?

 

[PJ87]

That is also a consideration. It's a 12 plate but only done 80000 miles. With my current level of usage it could do me for another 10 years minimum. Need to weigh up the pros and cons of getting rid of it and savings/recoup does come into that.

Thing is if you can keep the current car then you will never save enough money to make up the cost.. regardless of what you spend because you have paid it already. So unless fuel jumps up dramatically it will be hard to compete

Return on investment always seems to be thrown about but nobody ever asks oh when is that new kitchen pay back ... Even tho your old kitchen was perfectly usable .

Anyways you will save some on services. Call it £70-100 a year

Fuel if you can get on the tariffs that are 2p a mile you will save compared to petrol .. say £1.30 a litre , 50 miles to the gallon is 11p a mile over 5000 miles a year that's £450 saving
So you would save prob £500 on average a year ..

And that's generous petrol figures

Do you really need a home charger?

Bob to be honest we should be highly recommending home chargers. Granny chargers arent. Designed to be used as permanent and there have been fires at the sockets due to overheating .. because plug sockets aren't maintained and designed to take constant 2kw for hours on end

I wouldn't be comfortable saying to anyone to use one as a permanent solution

"Nevertheless, Granny Chargers should be used as an exception rather than a rule. Running a 10A (ICCB rating) through a 13A socket for hours is generally not advisable, as it can lead to damage and even fires. Furthermore, running a Granny Charger cable through an open window poses an obvious security risk. Even if you have an outside plug socket, it can still be dangerous, as the outlet is not immune to harsh Irish weather conditions and may disrupt the entire home circuitry"

Charging my Electric Vehicle with a Granny Charger

Is it safe and reliable to charge your EV with a Granny Charger (13A charging cable)?

www.wattcharger.com

 

[Fade and Die]

Indeed he could, and that's what I'd do in his place.
I get it that some people do it to save the planet. Good for them.
But most of us are more concerned about the cost of living.

Do people really still claim that?

The benefits of an EV environmentally is complicated, depending on how your grid is fuelled, how many miles you do and how long you keep the car.

This article is pretty informative…

Do electric cars really produce fewer carbon emissions than petrol or diesel vehicles? | Business | The Guardian

In part five of our series exploring myths surrounding EVs, we assess the greenwashing claims

amp.theguardian.com

 

[PJ87]

Do people really still claim that?

The benefits of an EV environmentally is complicated, depending on how your grid is fuelled, how many miles you do and how long you keep the car.

This article is pretty informative…

Do electric cars really produce fewer carbon emissions than petrol or diesel vehicles? | Business | The Guardian

In part five of our series exploring myths surrounding EVs, we assess the greenwashing claims

amp.theguardian.com

From that very article even worst case bev smashes petrol for co2 produced driving

 

[bobmac]

I wouldn't be comfortable saying to anyone to use one as a permanent solution

"Nevertheless, Granny Chargers should be used as an exception rather than a rule. Running a 10A (ICCB rating) through a 13A socket for hours is generally not advisable, as it can lead to damage and even fires. Furthermore, running a Granny Charger cable through an open window poses an obvious security risk. Even if you have an outside plug socket, it can still be dangerous, as the outlet is not immune to harsh Irish weather conditions and may disrupt the entire home circuitry"

Charging my Electric Vehicle with a Granny Charger

Is it safe and reliable to charge your EV with a Granny Charger (13A charging cable)?

www.wattcharger.com

A company that sells home chargers are bound to say that

 

[PJ87]

A company that sells home chargers are bound to say that

Bob with all due respect it's not the only company saying that.

Go on any ev forum and you will find thread after thread about the dangers of using them constantly

The safest way to charge is a proper charger. Plus they have access to cheap tariffs and get cars more energy during those times

I wouldn't be comfortable telling anyone to use a granny charger permanently. It's too risky.

Does a home charger make sense? | Electrifying.com

All you need to know about a home charge point - how much they cost and if you really need one

www.electrifying.com

Id trust electrifying. Even they recommend getting a sparky to check the wiring and plugs before using one full time.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Thing is if you can keep the current car then you will never save enough money to make up the cost.. regardless of what you spend because you have paid it already. So unless fuel jumps up dramatically it will be hard to compete

Return on investment always seems to be thrown about but nobody ever asks oh when is that new kitchen pay back ... Even tho your old kitchen was perfectly usable .

Anyways you will save some on services. Call it £70-100 a year

Fuel if you can get on the tariffs that are 2p a mile you will save compared to petrol .. say £1.30 a litre , 50 miles to the gallon is 11p a mile over 5000 miles a year that's £450 saving
So you would save prob £500 on average a year ..

And that's generous petrol figures

The car was free as my dad gave it to me when he gave up driving. My attachment to it is more emotional than financial so anything I get for it as trade in (currently seems to be £3 to £4k for similar cars on Autotrader) is all profit.

This is pretty much identical to mine in terms of age and mileage...

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

It's trying to reconcile giving up a perfectly functional car to go electric. Although I am coming around to the idea that it's not like I'm scrapping it for no reason and someone else would benefit from a cheap second hand car that could do them 10 years.

EDIT - I think the kitchen comparison is a bit of a red herring as a new kitchen adds value to the property so the minute that it's completed it provides a return on investment.

 

[PJ87]

The car was free as my dad gave it to me when he gave up driving. My attachment to it is more emotional than financial so anything I get for it as trade in (currently seems to be £3 to £4k for similar cars on Autotrader) is all profit.

This is pretty much identical to mine in terms of age and mileage...

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

It's trying to reconcile giving up a perfectly functional car to go electric. Although I am coming around to the idea that it's not like I'm scrapping it for no reason and someone else would benefit from a cheap second hand car that could do them 10 years.

EDIT - I think the kitchen comparison is a bit of a red herring as a new kitchen adds value to the property so the minute that it's completed it provides a return on investment.

But if your not ever moving it's a pointless argument

Solar adds value to your property but it's never factored in pay back

Now you get you should leave that money in a 5% account

It's just any excuse not to invest in green tech tbh.

But if I got a new kitchen tomorrow noone would bat an eye lid.

On the profit from your current car you will never break even in that regards as that car could run until it dies.

So really savings in cost of running will be minimal even if it's £500 a year .. the car is free to own in one regards

Unless you were driving through ulez every day and saving on that

 

[BubbaP]

I know the price of secondhand EVs has dropped recently, but they are still quite a bit more expensive than an equivalent petrol car. Think carefully about how many miles you need to travel before you recoup that difference. At less than 5000 miles per year, it could be a long time.

Obviously there are lots of makes and models out there, I hadn't even considered a full EV until I spotted the exact same model, spec & lower mileage were coming up cheaper than the petrol version. That's when I looked more closely.