EV general discussion

I’m not sure that it’s that they don’t want an EV, it’s more they lack the relative knowledge about what it’s actually like to own an EV compared to the status quo.
 
I think the argument is the reasons people don't want one are quite often (admittedly EV doesn't suit everyone so I accept that not in every case) emotional/fear driven rather than logical... hard one to solve though
 
kristmace said:
This, sadly is the crux of it.

My Mum is 64 and has just ordered a brand new car on lease. An EV would be ideal as she only really does 20-30 mile journeys - and is never more than 80 miles from home. My Dad has a diesel they can use if they're driving somewhere long distance and they already have a charger installed in the house they moved into last year.

Shes ordered a Mild Hybrid as "It does 60mpg!" My Diesel A3 did that 15 years ago.

Even with the warranty she was too nervous to try something new.
Click to expand...
Why ideal. Low fuel cost on that mileage anyway. Why get a more expensive car with more depreciation. TCO should be considered here.

Don’t forget cheap electric needs a £1000 charger too
 
Last edited:
Simon said:
I guess fair on that mileage as you can three pin but is a EV tariff worth it for 4-5kWh a day
Click to expand...
I think you missed the bit where she said she is 64 and leases a brand new vehicle to do tiny mileage. Clearly cost saving isn't a priority.
 
Simon said:
So why ‘should she buy an EV’ if she doesn’t want one ? That was my question really.
Click to expand...
Why doesn't she want one?

You are the one that offered up cost and depreciation to a lass leasing a brand new MHEV to do tiny mileage. Neither of such seem to bother her that much, clearly lol
 
Well why else do you lease. Cost of the monthlys. Has anyone got any none SS comparisons? Don’t really understand a real benefit of either so I challenged the ‘she should get an EV/ an EV would be ideal’

My question is why should she. Is there any benefit to her if she doesn’t actually want one. Just trying to understand

(Lol )
 
Last edited:
Mr Jack said:
The differences are unimportant to the discussion. They're still not places manufacturers can run away to and sell their legacy cars, manufacturers can adapt, make EVs or they can die.
Click to expand...
But the issue isn't them making them. The issue is people buying them in sufficient quantities.

Through my work I talk to a shed load of people and due to the products we sell often our general chit chat leads to cars. Now I can name a shed load of people who I know who have gone EV. Loads because of BIK, loads because of massive depreciation who bought second hand and a smaller number who bought written off ones and got them back on the road. I can name TWO who bought brand new with their own cash, one of whom says they will never have another EV. This is in the context of dozens of people I know who always buy their cars brand new. That is a big problem.

If the main reason you are selling cars is because of tax incentives and the second hand market is such that depreciation is as high as it is, it doesn't leave a very sustainable outlook.

I really want EVs to take over but I also want it to be in the context of people choosing to make the switch and not with the almost class war like division of those who can charge them cheaply and conveniently versus those who can't.
 
lordrobs said:
class war like division of those who can charge them cheaply and conveniently versus those who can't.
Click to expand...
i do wish more was being done about this. Sure in some big cities like london perhaps there are lamp post charging points which cost a reasonable amount to charge, and in villages practically everyone has a driveway and for the few who dont i actually believe with a bit of a push charge point sharing schemes (which already exist) could be made to pick up the slack.

but for large towns and small cities, or for holiday destination type places with a lot of hotels etc there simply is not enough "slow" destination charge points, and even if there are some, they are quite expensive.

BT were championing converting their old green telephone boxes, and in a small trial set a few up. They claimed (i cant remember exact numbers) but it was 10,000s of potential destination charge points.

i know in my town there are 3 green boxes that i know of (there will be loads more) but of them 2 of those are in prime locations where 3 or 4 parking spaces could be created - there is plenty of room - to allow overnight charging. one of them even is right outside a block of flats...... however whether or not BT are serious or it was just a small scale publicity stunt i do not know.

also carparks in towns, and super markets........ our massive tescos have.......... i think its 4 charge points however they have gone right from free, up to really expensive. where is the middle ground? and besides 4 in 1 supermarket aint gonna cut it, we need many more even if it is only 11kw and not the fast DC charging they have now.
It doesnt need to be completed tomorrow because despite what our gutter press like to state, everyone going EV it isnt gonna happen over night, but around me at least i have seen zero progress on destination charging in the last 5 years.

but even 11kw AC charging at a supermarket carpark for 40 mins whilst you do the shop will be a massive boon for plug in hybrids which only have a say 15kwh battery
 
Last edited:
No business is going to invest huge amounts and have cheap electricity rates. EV ownership isn’t some charity
 
Last edited:
I am mostly just disappointed, through a combination of the way the UK is regulating (fines rather than incentives), car manufacturers not really pushing the virtues of EV motoring, lack of charging options for people with no drive and the FUD spread by the media I suspect that the 2030/5 target will end up getting scrapped or pushed back.

I am going to continue to enjoy owning an EV, and anyone I speak to that is interested I try and give an unbiased opinion on what it's like. (One of the school dads got a 2nd hand Kona partially based on his conversation with me, but was already leaning in that direction due to free charging at work)

But ultimately I don't think the general public are going to be convinced.
 
Simon said:
No business is going to invest huge amounts and have cheap electricity rates. EV ownership isn’t some charity
Click to expand...
you say that like it wasnt exactly the case a few years ago!. Also other countries manage to have affordable charging!... and in the case of BT I am only repeating what BT themselves said they were planning to do.... so either you know more about BTs operating and conversion costs than they do, in which case they are incredibly inept (possible) OR BT are just lying to get some free "greenwashing" brownie points (also possible) but if either of those are true then BT should be called out on it.

Besides, given the amount of money government seems to pee up the wall i would have no problem them helping with installation costs via grants etc...... also in the case of supermarket charging make them customer only charge points if they want, or the cost at point of sale could be higher but with for arguments sake 50% of the cost converted into clubcard points, thus ensuring most of that money was spent in store which is then not that much different than the supermarket fuel, which according to the supermarkets is as much a hook to get punters in to spend money more than it is an actual money maker in itsself when they have those 10p/l off fuel promos..
 
Last edited:
I’m saying it based on a few years. Companies invested then charging prices have only increased so that companies stay profitable.

Have BT done anything yet. Why a phone box is a good charging location is beyond me? Most the old ones are full of books now.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom