The all things EV chat thread

[Fromtherough]

Picked up our new Honda Civic 2.0 ehev last week. We had been considering an EV as a second car. Some decent bargains out there in the second hand market. However, Honda were offering an unreal deal on a brand new Civic. I really liked the updated shape and the inside design is very smart, with a lot of tech/driver aids included as standard. Plus it fits my clubs in the boot.

What a car it appears to be. Seamless switch between ev mode and petrol and no need to plug in as the batteries are charged through regenerative breaking. I’ve done 200 miles in it so far just on my normal day to day, plus a little drive out when we picked it up (in predominantly sport mode, although I’ve also tried economy and normal mode for about 20 miles each) and am getting 58.1 mpg.

Potentially one to consider for those not quite ready to make the full switch to EV or where it would be difficult to install a charging point.

One weird feature, is it sounds like it changes gear. Doesn’t sound strange until you consider it doesn’t (or at least I don’t imagine it should…) have a gearbox.

 

[BubbaP]

The European Union has just decided that they are going to tax China EVs.
No idea what it will do to pricing here. Are left hand and right hand drives produced/exported independently of each other?
I mean, with for example MG or BYD now being more expensive in France, will there be an impact on our market here?

Was predicted...

China hits back at EU with brandy tax after electric car tariffs

The tax on brandy imports is being seen by critics as a retaliatory move for recent EU tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Lord Tyrion]

One weird feature, is it sounds like it changes gear. Doesn’t sound strange until you consider it doesn’t (or at least I don’t imagine it should…) have a gearbox.

It probably has a CVT transmission. I could attempt to explain it but it's beyond my skillset . I've googled it previously, Toyota have something similar and I had a look at one of their cars recently, and sort of understand it but not enough to explain it without getting it wrong. Anyway, that is why you will not hear a sound, it is not a traditional auto gear box with cogs and gears.

In the Toyota I drove recently that had similar, I found it encouraged smooth driving. If you drive it hard it makes a bit of a whine and whilst it was not horrible, it was better avoided. If you drive smoothly, it is very nice to drive.

 

[Slime]

Ah, I used to have a Daf Variomatic!
A brown version of this;

 

[Fromtherough]

It probably has a CVT transmission. I could attempt to explain it but it's beyond my skillset . I've googled it previously, Toyota have something similar and I had a look at one of their cars recently, and sort of understand it but not enough to explain it without getting it wrong. Anyway, that is why you will not hear a sound, it is not a traditional auto gear box with cogs and gears.

In the Toyota I drove recently that had similar, I found it encouraged smooth driving. If you drive it hard it makes a bit of a whine and whilst it was not horrible, it was better avoided. If you drive smoothly, it is very nice to drive.

After doing a bit of research, it’s simulated noise giving the impression of changing gear (via a new type of CVT). The petrol engine is effectively a generator to produce electricity, which then drives the motors (and wheels) and charges the battery. At high speeds, the engine will directly drive the wheels, but this isn’t that often in my experience. Really clever stuff and more importantly, is lovely to drive (minimal power lag I’ve experienced with other auto’s) and fairly fast for the class of car. A week and a bit in I’m happy, it’s very efficient and proving an excellent semi-little car.

 

[harpo_72]

After doing a bit of research, it’s simulated noise giving the impression of changing gear (via a new type of CVT). The petrol engine is effectively a generator to produce electricity, which then drives the motors (and wheels) and charges the battery. At high speeds, the engine will directly drive the wheels, but this isn’t that often in my experience. Really clever stuff and more importantly, is lovely to drive (minimal power lag I’ve experienced with other auto’s) and fairly fast for the class of car. A week and a bit in I’m happy, it’s very efficient and proving an excellent semi-little car.

I think the same as Nissan edrive.. which as you say is an interesting proposition. It would be interesting to see the powertrain weights with battery and fuel cell … but to be honest this I think might be the hydrogen pre concept layout as well.
I suspect the future will be more of a mixture but everything will have an electric motor it’s just the energy source to run it.

 

[PJ87]

The niro is 9 months old next week. Just gone over to 9000 miles. In 1000 miles it gets a free inspection as the service is every 20,000 miles.

So far (touch wood) pretty much flawless. The sat nav has lost GPS twice (disables the motorway change lane assist as it can't confirm it's on a motorway) however a quick press of the reset button on the radio turns the system on and off (not the car) and back it appears.

Apart from that one bolt in a tyre which was repaired.

Long term review I'd give it a solid 8/10

Now it's not a car that will excite you it's a car that is comfortable, practical and quick when needed. Much like Volvo's back in the day. (And still now ofc but they are "cooler" now)

Comfort id give 10/10, the heated and ventilated seats are incredibly comfortable.

Practically I'd give 8/10 plenty of room in the boot (golf clubs fit without removing my driver.. although I use a carry bag not a cart bag) however the indoor pockets are a bit rubbish. Could be deeper and wider.

Driving I'd give a solid 7/10 , it's not a car you will throw about but it does respond to inputs and quick to gather pass when needed (great for motorway getting out of junctions)

Ride comfort is 9/10, bit of road noise on motorway but very smooth. I put this down to the 17 inch alloys!! Much more sensible choice... Economy is better. Ride is more comfortable, just doesn't "look" as good. But hey tyres are cheaper aswell.

I've done 4 public charges, 3 of them simple. Just worked the one I had issues with ironically I never got charged for! (Despite tapping my card) I got the holding £1 but the £27 worth of electric never got charged and my £1 was returned.

I've spent £60 public charging (not Including that £27 they didn't charge me) and £27 charging at home (I am able to get free charging at the golf club so just charge it there a bit)

Overall we very happy with the car. We have gone from a big 7 seater with a small Corsa to two average size cars. The latter set up suits us better now. I don't need to switch cars for golf (the corsa was tiny so just used to grab the big car for club space) now it's literally all in the Kia if I'm around if not the wife takes the kids in the similar sized Kona.

We are impressed with how easy public charging is, caveat here we use it rarely.. 4 times in this year for example. If we used say weekly it prob would be a different story. Anyways because of this we have no hesitation driving to Disneyland Paris next year with the kids.

What's really useful is we can get all 3 girls (2 in high back booster seats and one on just a booster) in the rear seats which just makes things easier.

Anyone considering an electric car check out the niro or the new Kona which is the same car.

8/10 for us

 

[jim8flog]

When it comes to CVT A few years back I tried a Nissan Juke with it. Never really like it, I felt it showed a lack of 'power' on steep hills unlike a standard auto box which you change down a gear on.

 

[jim8flog]

Ah, I used to have a Daf Variomatic!
A brown version of this;

View attachment 55319

Our family tried to get our mother to learn to drive and suggested her having one of the those based upon the simplicity of ' forward to go forward, back to go back' as the advert said.

 

[PJ87]

When it comes to CVT A few years back I tried a Nissan Juke with it. Never really like it, I felt it showed a lack of 'power' on steep hills unlike a standard auto box which you change down a gear on.

I've had a CVT gear box on a few cars. First was the Toyota auris hybrid, same as a Prius just less practical but did look better (more of a hatch back traditional look) I then had it on a honda hrv petrol

They do lack punch on the hills like you say

 

[Fromtherough]

I've had a CVT gear box on a few cars. First was the Toyota auris hybrid, same as a Prius just less practical but did look better (more of a hatch back traditional look) I then had it on a honda hrv petrol

They do lack punch on the hills like you say

I’d experienced similar. But my Civic does not have this issue. Direct power when you need it, probably due to the tech and the fact the electric motors ensure how the power is distributed as needed.

 

[PJ87]

I’d experienced similar. But my Civic does not have this issue. Direct power when you need it, probably due to the tech and the fact the electric motors ensure how the power is distributed as needed.

Also depends what litre engine you have to compliment the electric engine

The auris was a 1.8 but my sister's Yaris is a 1.3 which is really noticeably slower in those situations

 

[chellie]

Why are there so many Hyundai Ioniq for sale cheap on autotrader?

 

[PJ87]

Why are there so many Hyundai Ioniq for sale cheap on autotrader?

As with Tesla model 3s. It's just that time.. the ioniq was an early choice for mini cab drivers or just reasonable price lease EVs

Their lease ends they go to second hand market

 

[chellie]

As with Tesla model 3s. It's just that time.. the ioniq was an early choice for mini cab drivers or just reasonable price lease EVs

Their lease ends they go to second hand market

Ah, do you think they are worth a look at?

 

[PJ87]

Ah, do you think they are worth a look at?

Depends how much range you need tbh, they are good cars. Well made. Very efficient however I believe their batteries are 38kwh , I mean they eek out that battery so get claimed 195 range or whatever (prob nearer 150 combined all year round) but for that size a battery that's very good. A leaf is much less efficient compared

 

[harpo_72]

I like the new Toyota Prius make that full electric give it some lambo paint schemes and it will appeal to all the middle age environmental warriors.. or working dads !

On another note I found myself shouting at some person stopping to turn down a road that goes nowhere, because they ruined my regeneration!!

 

[Slime]

I like the new Toyota Prius make that full electric give it some lambo paint schemes and it will appeal to all the middle age environmental warriors.. or working dads !

On another note I found myself shouting at some person stopping to turn down a road that goes nowhere, because they ruined my regeneration!!

Erm, it won't.

 

[harpo_72]

Erm, it won't.

You’ve not seen it have you?

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Why are there so many Hyundai Ioniq for sale cheap on autotrader?

Perhaps because they were the go to cars for minicabs and ubers, especially in my area and London?