The all things EV chat thread

[Jamesbrown]

Are these all company cars or are any private?

Many are privately “owned” probably pcp. The etron, the e2008’s and one leaf and both polestars are on the salary sacrifice. Half the Tesla’s are owned. You can distinguish them by the branded number plate.
The EV’s I know on order are also on salary sacrifice. There’s free charging at work which is an incentive. 8 charging bays with more on the way next year.

 

[Swinglowandslow]

Home charging when you live on an urban Victorian or Edwardian street is going to be fun.

Do keep up?. See post 89.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Do keep up?. See post 89.

A current Tesla 3 battery weighs 480kg. That is not something you can just pick up and swap, pick up and charge in your house like a trolley battery. I get your idea but if a Tesla one weighs that much, and they are way out in front in terms of battery tech, then we need another leap somewhere for your method to work.

There is an awful lot of hopes, wishes, reliance on tech evolving for this entire move towards electric cars. It is equivalent to Field of Dreams, 'Say it and it will happen', or is it close to Melchett shouting louder and louder until everyone does what he says? (that anaology is not aimed at you incidentally)

 

[Swinglowandslow]

A current Tesla 3 battery weighs 480kg. That is not something you can just pick up and swap, pick up and charge in your house like a trolley battery. I get your idea but if a Tesla one weighs that much, and they are way out in front in terms of battery tech, then we need another leap somewhere for your method to work.

There is an awful lot of hopes, wishes, reliance on tech evolving for this entire move towards electric cars. It is equivalent to Field of Dreams, 'Say it and it will happen', or is it close to Melchett shouting louder and louder until everyone does what he says? (that anaology is not aimed at you incidentally)

I appreciate what the present situation is , that battery size and technology is a long way off being portable. But I believe that such is the rate of progress with technology, and the demands of the situation, that the drive for a solution will be immense.
As we've seen with Covid ( not saying it is as important, wouldn't presume to)
when ircumstances ask science to "hurry up", then normal progress changes.
I remember the first mobile phones. A handset like a home handset in one hand, and the battery like a double sized brick being carried in the other.

I can see why people may doubt we will get to what I think will be possible. However, we will( or at my age maybe you will?) see if it transpires.
What I cannot see is those ,as SILH and I see living in certain accommodations , being in a position to run a pure electric car until something similar to what I've described is the case.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I appreciate what the present situation is , that battery size and technology is a long way off being portable. But I believe that such is the rate of progress with technology, and the demands of the situation, that the drive for a solution will be immense.
As we've seen with Covid ( not saying it is as important, wouldn't presume to)
when ircumstances ask science to "hurry up", then normal progress changes.
I remember the first mobile phones. A handset like a home handset in one hand, and the battery like a double sized brick being carried in the other.

I can see why people may doubt we will get to what I think will be possible. However, we will( or at my age maybe you will?) see if it transpires.
What I cannot see is those ,as SILH and I see living in certain accommodations , being in a position to run a pure electric car until something similar to what I've described is the case.

At times it's hard enough getting parked outside my house...though we are very fortunate as we are one of only a small handful of houses in our road that has off-street parking - and there are 45 houses in our road.

 

[Deleted member 29109]

The solution will be multifaceted, and I imagine won't look too different to how we refule now.

Not everyone will be excpected to charge their car up at home.

Battery and charging tech is advancing rapidly. So, it won't be too long until you can visit a charging station like you do now a petrol station and fill up in a similar time.

Then there could be replaceable batteries. Drive in, battery gets swapped for a fully charged one, drive out. Just like changing a drill battery.

Then further into the future, induction loops are a possibility.

Imagine where we would be now if the first people to buy cars didn't, because there were no petrol stations!

 

[CliveW]

As most car journeys involve only one person, perhaps we need to look at smaller, lighter cars which take up less space on roads and car parks and are more efficient.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Are chargers currently universal or are they different? Is it like Apple and Android chargers?

 

[clubchamp98]

Are chargers currently universal or are they different? Is it like Apple and Android chargers?

My mate sent his Jaguar back because they used a different charger.
Was last year but don’t know if they have sorted it out.

 

[Imurg]

Are chargers currently universal or are they different? Is it like Apple and Android chargers?

Surely they would have to be universal.?
You couldn't, feasibly, have even 2 or 3 different charging connectors - you'd run out of juice driving round to find "your" flavour.

 

[PJ87]

Are chargers currently universal or are they different? Is it like Apple and Android chargers?

Yes and no. You can have a universal point fitted that all cars can plug into and then the adaptors plug into car

Much like iPhone and Android all the input is a plug isn't it..

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Surely they would have to be universal.?
You couldn't, feasibly, have even 2 or 3 different charging connectors - you'd run out of juice driving round to find "your" flavour.

You would think so wouldn't you but watch this video (around the 18 mins mark)

 

[Imurg]

You would think so wouldn't you but watch this video (around the 18 mins mark)

Just watched the whole thing......work to be done methinks.

 

[clubchamp98]

You would think so wouldn't you but watch this video (around the 18 mins mark)

Yes this is more or less why my mate took his back.
Short journeys fantastic .
Anything else a joke.

 

[Fade and Die]

Had a nice go of a BMW i3 today, really impressed with it. First time I’ve ever driven an electric car so nothing to compare it to, but the handling and performance was excellent. Inside was very comfortable for a small car, I even sat in the back and found it roomy enough, the clever suicide doors make it easy to get in and out of. Boot space was poor though, no chance of getting a set of clubs in, or even a “big shop”!
Got 2 years left on my XC40 lease so when it’s up I think I will definitely be going leccy.

 

[larmen]

Has anyone looked into eScooters yet? The moped kind, not the electrified version of the kids toy.
I interviewed for a position 12 miles from here and not on anything I can take a train to and I did look at a lot of them in the last few days. Looks like that apart from storage that seems to be the best solution if some of the commute is in rush hour in town.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Delivering a VW e-Up ( best said with a broad Yorkshire accent) on Monday direct from the vehicle transporter depot to a dealership 18 miles away.

Praying it has sufficient charge in it as the nearest charging point is 6 miles away.

Could be interesting

 

[Pathetic Shark]

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Delivering a VW e-Up ( best said with a broad Yorkshire accent) on Monday direct from the vehicle transporter depot to a dealership 18 miles away.

Praying it has sufficient charge in it as the nearest charging point is 6 miles away.

Could be interesting

It was fine , had 50 miles left so not a problem
However my 2nd job a new electric mini had 4 miles on the clock when I got it from the main dealer, they have only slow chargers, so spent an hour getting enough in it so I could then take it to a rapid charger.

Sorted eventually but what a faff and 1 3/4 hours behind schedule ?

 

[PJ87]

Have just ordered an e Corsa

£800 down

£275 a month 4 year lease

Arrives in few weeks

211 mile range