The all things EV chat thread

[Deleted member 21784]

I agree and government both national and local need to work on the solutions (again not perfect though) that are available but are not being implemented in sufficient numbers. It is highly unlikely though that some non battery EV solution is going to come along before the impending climate crisis.

Councils all around the country are adding more and more chargers in council car parks, lots of local restaurants have installed chargers

Apartments near me have EV chargers in the car park which the residents can use and are billed to their account

My aunt's in sheltered accommodation they have EV chargers dotted about for residents in the same way the above do, charge to each user via account

The amount of people who aren't suitable at all for ev is dropping year on year, it's just getting over that mentality that it's completely difficult when in reality for the majority it's not.

 

[TheDiablo]

There is no irony because the flexi was nothing to do with the car

It was to do with my children who I know wouldn't have made it to Disneyland in one hit but coming back they were tired enough to sleep most of the way

All my "waiting" was natural stops for food breaks for the kids to run off steam.

The Flexi allowed us to come back a day early and cancel the hotel because the kids could cope with the drive back after being so tired out.

Plus it's more luxurious, just nice to turn up, use the lounge and get on whatever train. Relaxing

You paid £200 for the luxury of a coffee and a croissant . You’re an hour away, absolutely no need for Flexi.

We rocked up on Standard and had the choice of 4 trains

It’s a 3 hour drive to Disney the other side. Break it up with lunch. Not exactly taxing, especially in such a comfort of a luxury EV with all the modcons

 

[cliveb]

Can you never see that EV’s are not for everyone

Just because something works for you doesn’t mean it works for everyone

There will be people where it’s not practical in any way to own an EV car and for multiple valid reasons - you can’t keep just dismissing everything based on your singular situation

Please accept that an EV car is not the right car for everyone

Be fair: I don't believe I've ever seen PJ87 suggest that EVs are ideal for everyone. He just points out how well they work for his family, and suggests why they might also do so for a lot who currently think they won't.

He's lucky that he can charge at home for peanuts. For anyone who can't, the reality is that if you rely on public charging, running an EV costs more per mile than a petrol car. If the government is serious about encouraging a wide scale switch to EVs they have to find a solution to that ridiculous situation. Unfortunately their solution would probably be to massively increase fuel duty.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

You paid £200 for the luxury of a coffee and a croissant . You’re an hour away, absolutely no need for Flexi.

We rocked up on Standard and had the choice of 4 trains

It’s a 3 hour drive to Disney the other side. Break it up with lunch. Not exactly taxing, especially in such a comfort of a luxury EV with all the modcons

Unfortunately my kids last about 2 hours in the car. So we try to keep it to that. Going down worked fantastic, left Bethune at 0830 arrived at Disney 11:00 in time for the parade

Coming home they slept from Disney to basically Bethune so we were comfortable trying the entire ride home in one. They did however throw up at the tunnel, have a few arguments and got very bored. Wouldn't rush to do it again.

Flexi worked fantastic, enabled us to come back whatever day we fancied but also takes any stress out of making it to the tunnel. Considering it's half term and delays happen you can be waiting for a train if you miss one until they can fit you in. However Flexi plus we just drove to that lane and they put you on the next train. We left the lounge aiming at 1910 aiming for the 1936 as the 1924 had closed boarding. Rocked up at the lane next to a queue of cars waiting. We were green lighted through , drove next to a queue going onto a train. Signalled onto that train which turned out to be the 1924. Makes it worth it for us , less waiting around.

When we booked the trip we booked flexible because we thought it would work. We were going Monday to Thurs doing the drive full whack each way. However after Warwick castle in December I spoke to the wife and we changed it to Sunday to Friday as they didn't cope with that journey amazing. We planned that they would be older etc but the twins just struggle. So flexible made it easy to change that plan. Like I said I wouldn't rush to put them through it again soon in a day because they only coped because they were so tried from 5 hours at Disney that day that they slept a lot compared to getting into a car fresh.

Comfort and mod cons worked wonders for me, however the wife and kids had a few bags at feet as despite taking all those cases the wife packed a bit more to go at their feet so for them it wasn't nearly as comfortable as me lol

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Be fair: I don't believe I've ever seen PJ87 suggest that EVs are ideal for everyone. He just points out how well they work for his family, and suggests why they might also do so for a lot who currently think they won't.

He's lucky that he can charge at home for peanuts. For anyone who can't, the reality is that if you rely on public charging, running an EV costs more per mile than a petrol car. If the government is serious about encouraging a wide scale switch to EVs they have to find a solution to that ridiculous situation. Unfortunately their solution would probably be to massively increase fuel duty.

Whilst I agree with what you say, it is easily overlooked how we already know how people treat the road outside their house or how neighbours can be so whilst it's easy to say "charge outside your house" that is in itself reliant on society being a massively amount more considerate from all angles, and TBH I don't ever see that happening.
It's also said how cheap it is to charge and run, and it probably is...right now, but that is unsustainable and we all know it as far as Government income is concerned and what we want from them.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Whilst I agree with what you say, it is easily overlooked how we already know how people treat the road outside their house or how neighbours can be so whilst it's easy to say "charge outside your house" that is in itself reliant on society being a massively amount more considerate from all angles, and TBH I don't ever see that happening.
It's also said how cheap it is to charge and run, and it probably is...right now, but that is unsustainable and we all know it as far as Government income is concerned and what we want from them.

Two incredibly valid points. What I have noticed with EV owners is a bit more respect for each other, IE not blocking chargers however I will concede that's because we know the downfalls / issues with not getting a charge so its mainly down to that rather than people being nice.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I’m changing my car and doing my bit for the environment at the same time.

Current car is a 3L Diesel Jaguar XF. 14 years old and not ULEZ compliant

My new one is a 5 years old 2L Diesel Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Which is ULEZ compliant

Feeling proud of myself

 

[Deleted member 21784]

I’m changing my car and doing my bit for the environment at the same time.

Current car is a 3L Diesel Jaguar XF. 14 years old and not ULEZ compliant

My new one is a 5 years old 2L Diesel Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Which is ULEZ compliant

Feeling proud of myself

To be fair whilst you had your tongue in your cheek a bit that will make a fair difference

 

[cliveb]

Whilst I agree with what you say, it is easily overlooked how we already know how people treat the road outside their house or how neighbours can be so whilst it's easy to say "charge outside your house" that is in itself reliant on society being a massively amount more considerate from all angles, and TBH I don't ever see that happening.
It's also said how cheap it is to charge and run, and it probably is...right now, but that is unsustainable and we all know it as far as Government income is concerned and what we want from them.

That's not the point I was trying to make. Doing something that allows everyone to be able to charge at home just isn't feasible. Won't happen.

So what needs to happen is to significantly reduce the price of public charging, which might require government subsidies. Or increase the price of petrol. No prizes for guessing which option the government would choose.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

That's not the point I was trying to make. Doing something that allows everyone to be able to charge at home just isn't feasible. Won't happen.

So what needs to happen is to significantly reduce the price of public charging, which might require government subsidies. Or increase the price of petrol. No prizes for guessing which option the government would choose.

Agreed. The French have it right , but then their public don't stand for being ripped off, the charging over there was dirt cheap. The most expensive I saw was around 45p a kWh but the one I used was 24p!! That's the same price as your home usage on a non EV tariff. Excellent

The vat is killing public charging and makes a divide between those who can't charge at home and those who can. At home your electric is 5% vat but public it's 20% .. charger near work is 0.73p that would be 10p cheaper with the lower vat

There are schemes about where you subscribe to a charger and you unlock a cheaper rate , works if your on the road a lot and always use the same brand of chargers

Octopus are good I get 8% discount on charging on the electroverse for having an EV tariff . Lot of chargers covered (including France)

 

[AliMc]

I’m changing my car and doing my bit for the environment at the same time.

Current car is a 3L Diesel Jaguar XF. 14 years old and not ULEZ compliant

My new one is a 5 years old 2L Diesel Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Which is ULEZ compliant

Feeling proud of myself

Me too i changed from a 5 cylinder 2.4 diesel at around 28mpg to a 4 cylinder 2.0 diesel at 46mpg, I'm doing my bit

 

[Imurg]

Me too...
Gone from a dirty 1.6 diesel to a 1.2 self charging hybrid that can do 100mpg coming home from the golf club....
And I can finally get all my golf kit in the boot without taking the woods out....

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Me too...
Gone from a dirty 1.6 diesel to a 1.2 self charging hybrid that can do 100mpg coming home from the golf club....
And I can finally get all my golf kit in the boot without taking the woods out....

This bit is so important and massively overlooked imo, considering how much we are Willing to spend on our cars and golf being our hobby it's amazing how many people will accept a boot that doesn't fit a set! I took my clubs with me to the garage

Still say it's manufactures fault for covering wheel arches will useless plastic trim that prevents it being used correctly. We had one car where the wife couldn't get the pram she wanted for eldest as it wouldn't fit in the boot without taking a wheel off. She said would be too much to do 2-3 times a day when you can get one that fits. Just make bits fit people's lifestyles. As much usable useful space as possible!

 

[Arthur Wedge]

That's not the point I was trying to make. Doing something that allows everyone to be able to charge at home just isn't feasible. Won't happen.

So what needs to happen is to significantly reduce the price of public charging, which might require government subsidies. Or increase the price of petrol. No prizes for guessing which option the government would choose.

The issue for me when it comes to public charging is you have to arrange things around it - it’s not like you can just pop somewhere , top up in 5 mins and be on your way

 

[Imurg]

Forgot to say...it's also got a mahoosive turbocharger stuck on it....

 

[cliveb]

Me too i changed from a 5 cylinder 2.4 diesel at around 28mpg to a 4 cylinder 2.0 diesel at 46mpg, I'm doing my bit

Was it only doing 28mpg because one of the 6 cylinders wasn't working?

 

[Fade and Die]

Agreed. The French have it right , but then their public don't stand for being ripped off, the charging over there was dirt cheap. The most expensive I saw was around 45p a kWh but the one I used was 24p!! That's the same price as your home usage on a non EV tariff. Excellent

The vat is killing public charging and makes a divide between those who can't charge at home and those who can. At home your electric is 5% vat but public it's 20% .. charger near work is 0.73p that would be 10p cheaper with the lower vat

There are schemes about where you subscribe to a charger and you unlock a cheaper rate , works if your on the road a lot and always use the same brand of chargers

Octopus are good I get 8% discount on charging on the electroverse for having an EV tariff . Lot of chargers covered (including France)

Is it not due to the fact that the cost of Electricity in France is just much cheaper than in the U.K., due to their reliance on Nuclear and our reliance on “Green” and imports?

 

[Deleted member 21784]

The issue for me when it comes to public charging is you have to arrange things around it - it’s not like you can just pop somewhere , top up in 5 mins and be on your way

chargers are regularly 150kwh plus speeds , cars are getting faster and faster at recharge speeds.

Going on basic fag packet maths to cover the broader basis.

75kwh battery pack you arrive with 20% at a charger that's 150kwh speed. Top up to 70% that's 37.5kwh required (50% added from your 20%, gone for 20% as that's the level most EVs tell you to recharge, much like a fuel light coming on) so that's 37.5kwh at 150kwh speed is 2.5kwh a minute. Which would take 15 mins to add that. (37.5kwh at 3.5 miles average per kWh is 131 miles)

Whilst it's not precisely the same "5mins" you can recharge very quickly to get on the move again. Most of the time by time you have plugged in, been for a wee and got back to the car you have more than enough charge.

Again this is basic maths, there are much faster (and slower) recharge speeds out there. My car is limited to 80kwh charge speed. However even then we managed to add 50% that was needed to the battery in 30 mins. We however stopped naturally for 70 mins so got even more charge.

With more charging locations being installed every single day and faster speeds from recharge from the manufacturers coming all the time you can realistically stop for 10 mins to recharge and then crack on with another comfortable 100 miles before even considering stopping again. But that's the extreme cases which people don't overly do.

As stated I did 540 miles to Paris and back with only 2 stops to charge. One each way. At no point were we worried about running out.

Its really much more accessible than people think.

(Just a quick real world example, h4h this year is 90 miles from home and 75 miles from work and work is 25 miles from home, I'm going to h4h then to work a night shift then home in the morning. I won't even be thinking about charging during those 190 miles)

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Is it not due to the fact that the cost of Electricity in France is just much cheaper than in the U.K., due to their reliance on Nuclear and our reliance on “Green” and imports?

Their electric is cheap because their government told their energy companies to take the hit of increase costs and not pass onto the customer

We don't get that luxury

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I move a lot of electric vehicles and we only charge to 80%
This is because it takes as long to charge to 80% as it does to go from 80 to 100%.

Ive done quite long distances and mostly only ever had to charge once before delivery.

However a colleague had an early Fiat 500 electric with a range of only 120 miles and he had to take it to Scotland
Spent as much time charging as he did on the road, that was a few years ago, things are much improved now