EV general discussion

[bloodiedathame]

Not really. The headline number that pops up on google if you search for "How many people run out of fuel in the UK" is 800,000 per year or 2200 per day. And yet there are petrol stations EVERYWHERE. Do you think any of those people who still run out will be any better when they're trying to get home to charge up on the cheap? I doubt it. What will make sense is when they get the Electric powered vans to tow capacitor discharge chargers to rapid charge cars to 10% in less than 5 minutes and we'll have one less issue to meme about.

Electricity is more 'everywhere' than Petrol Stations. But you are right that EVans towing capacitors, or even when Etow/pickup trucks get on scene there will be less to point and laugh at.

 

[jpaul]

The REX is a good option for some with the unlimited range ability. One local to me just sold. It was a June 17 car, I didn't know about the extra tax on cars after March. It was poverty spec as most are, and black which I wasn't keen on. I've contacted dealer about another but a 120Ah non-rex. Seem to have a few coming into stock so will be interesting to see what can be done on pricing. Not too bothered by spec if a decent price. Quite fancy trying one now but will have an ICE available too in case of long trips.

but it's not unlimited ? I checked after his comment, it takes you to ~200 miles, which is presumably ratio of rex relative power and average battery drain,
so worst case battery is empty and you can drive at 30mph ? ... the nissan rex seems about 2/3 d's of the electric motor power.

 

[Jez]

but it's not unlimited ? I checked after his comment, it takes you to ~200 miles, which is presumably ratio of rex relative power and average battery drain,
so worst case battery is empty and you can drive at 30mph ? ... the nissan rex seems about 2/3 d's of the electric motor power.

Of course it is (in theory unlimited range), as you can just keep putting fuel into its fuel thimble as per any other car albeit with a pathetic tank capacity.
(His battery dies completely at 0:53, his car eventually slows to a cruising speed of 125KMH, which is ample performance in that rare case that you literally deplete the battery, which you never really should - you'd usually use hold mode before that)

 

[Journey]

The post march 17 cars carry the loading for being >£40k new, i cant remember the figure, its not a massive deal but you may as well avoid it is my view.

This was abolished even for previously purchased cars, as long as they are zero emission from the vehicle.

 

[Jez]

as long as they are zero emission from the vehicle.

They are rated at something like 12g/KM co2 at the DVLA and marked as Hybrid Electric, i looked a few up and it did state that the additional charge was due?

 

[SDK^]

if you search for "How many people run out of fuel in the UK" is 800,000 per year or 2200 per day.

Said the Daily Mirror in 2015 - must be fact
In 2009 Autocar reported the number at 49 per day.

 

[jpaul]

Of course it is (in theory unlimited range), as you can just keep putting fuel into its fuel thimble as per any other car albeit with a pathetic tank capacity.

ok - a browse suggested to me the rex offers 34hp, versus the electric at 170hp, so I'm confused on whether the 125kmh is really with an empty battery

(yes my 30mph was conjecture)

 

[Jez]

ok - a browse suggested to me the rex offers 34hp, versus the electric at 170hp, so I'm confused on whether the 125kmh is really with an empty battery

(yes my 30mph was conjecture)

They struggle and it isnt intended, but it is there if you need it which is the crucial thing. On a flat highway the video above shows it in full detail with his battery going to 0% and the car slowing down. He manages to maintain 125KMH (watch it from 0:50, the battery miles are in blue on the dash)

 

[Journey]

In 2009 Autocar reported the number at 49 per day.

The figure originated from an annual study by LV= Breakdown Cover and was done in both 2014 and 2015, 777k in 2014, and over 800k in 2015. I'd did have a look to see if I could get my hands on the original study data, but from what I gather this was amassed from all of the breakdown companies across the UK.

To be honest given the number of journeys undertaken per day on the roads of the UK, I don't find it that hard to believe especially when some people put £5 in an run on fumes all of the time.

 

[Journey]

They are rated at something like 12g/KM co2 at the DVLA and marked as Hybrid Electric, i looked a few up and it did state that the additional charge was due?

Meh, that is the drawback of the rex version then.

Out of curiosity how ling are you going to keep it for if you get one?

 

[SDK^]

Can you park your car somewhere near my house please so I can at least see what it looks like

I don't think I've ever seen a P2 in the flesh.

Just near Alcester.

Hi - that’s close to me, I’m in Redditch.
I’ve been using the BP Pulse charger at Kings Court Hotel on the A435 (just outside of Alcester). Could meet you there on Saturday afternoon if you wanted a look around the Polestar 2?

 

[Jez]

Meh, that is the drawback of the rex version then.

Out of curiosity how ling are you going to keep it for if you get one?

For sure, its also heavier and more complex and therefore compromised in other ways too.

This is more of a curiosity for me than anything, i am a big fan of electric cars in principle and just want to have a play with one as a new toy really, especially as one from a decent brand is now quite cheap. No idea longer term, i am more of a large car fan usually buying large-engined german guzzlers.

 

[DarrenM343]

Been convinced to try an EV so should be picking up my new toy on Monday, a used 120Ah i3.
Any advice on preparing for and owning? I was going to look at Podpoint for the wall charger and see they have a few options (kw) and tethered or untethered options. If I get untethered I assume I just use the BMW cable provided? the car comes with a 3 pin cable and 11kw public charge cable. Or is it better to get go with Tethered?
I assume most change to an EV friendly energy tariff? With Bulb still at the moment and saw something recently about them coming up with a new tariff soon for EV owners.

 

[WJA96]

Said the Daily Mirror in 2015 - must be fact
In 2009 Autocar reported the number at 49 per day.

Even so. It's BS to suggest that lack of charging facilities is a reason why people run out of charge. Lack of planning and foresight is common across all fuel users.

 

[WJA96]

Been convinced to try an EV so should be picking up my new toy on Monday, a used 120Ah i3.
Any advice on preparing for and owning? I was going to look at Podpoint for the wall charger and see they have a few options (kw) and tethered or untethered options. If I get untethered I assume I just use the BMW cable provided? the car comes with a 3 pin cable and 11kw public charge cable. Or is it better to get go with Tethered?
I assume most change to an EV friendly energy tariff? With Bulb still at the moment and saw something recently about them coming up with a new tariff soon for EV owners.

Pod-Point is fine if you don't want to tariff control your charging. It's one of the cheapest options. Personally, I'd go tethered just to save having to open the boot and get the charging cable out and then put it away again every time you want to charge up. It soon gets old. With the tethered option its just unwind the cable and plug in.

 

[Journey]

Been convinced to try an EV so should be picking up my new toy on Monday, a used 120Ah i3.
Any advice on preparing for and owning? I was going to look at Podpoint for the wall charger and see they have a few options (kw) and tethered or untethered options. If I get untethered I assume I just use the BMW cable provided? the car comes with a 3 pin cable and 11kw public charge cable. Or is it better to get go with Tethered?
I assume most change to an EV friendly energy tariff? With Bulb still at the moment and saw something recently about them coming up with a new tariff soon for EV owners.

Install Zap Map on your phone, familiarise yourself with what the symbols means, and which charge point operators are in the areas you visit regularly. If you use Tesco or Lidl get the Pod Point app so you can get some free juice while shopping.

As for chargers, how many miles will you be doing per week/month/year? If you only do low mileage and only need to charge once or twice a week then either option is ok. If you use it more regularly tethered is better. I'd look at a fully smart charger that integrates with the utility providers data for time of use tariffs etc. After all you'll end up keeping the charge point much longer than that single car (probably).

Channing tariff is only worth while if again you do lots of miles, and charge at home most of the time. Switching to an EV specific tariff then only charging once per week usually negates the benefits and you end up paying more for your normal home usage.

That is a start, good luck.

 

[WJA96]

Free charging at Lidl? All the ones I've seen have 50kW chargers and they're 23.5p/kW. Are you saying if I plug in to the 11kW AC charger it's free? That would be amazing as I'm in Lidl car parks a lot. Or did you mean J Sainsbury's? They've got free Pod-Points but only for 2 hours.

 

[Journey]

Free charging at Lidl? All the ones I've seen have 50kW chargers and they're 23.5p/kW. Are you saying if I plug in to the 11kW AC charger it's free? That would be amazing as I'm in Lidl car parks a lot. Or did you mean J Sainsbury's? They've got free Pod-Points but only for 2 hours.

I use the free AC ones, obviously some are not free but the few I've used had been. Check Zap Map and see what the comments say for your local ones.

 

[DarrenM343]

Install Zap Map on your phone, familiarise yourself with what the symbols means, and which charge point operators are in the areas you visit regularly. If you use Tesco or Lidl get the Pod Point app so you can get some free juice while shopping.

As for chargers, how many miles will you be doing per week/month/year? If you only do low mileage and only need to charge once or twice a week then either option is ok. If you use it more regularly tethered is better. I'd look at a fully smart charger that integrates with the utility providers data for time of use tariffs etc. After all you'll end up keeping the charge point much longer than that single car (probably).

Channing tariff is only worth while if again you do lots of miles, and charge at home most of the time. Switching to an EV specific tariff then only charging once per week usually negates the benefits and you end up paying more for your normal home usage.

That is a start, good luck.

Thanks for tips. No idea on miles at present. Right now, very low miles but depends on how things go regarding COVID and working with clients and ability to work from home mostly with new clients. Potentially up to 90 miles a day a few times a week

 

[WJA96]

I use the free AC ones, obviously some are not free but the few I've used had been. Check Zap Map and see what the comments say for your local ones.

All my local ones are all 50kW fast chargers with CCS or CHAdeMO connectors and an AC connector that I believe supplies up to 22kW for cars that can take that. From what I can see though they're all chargeable.